Remembering Mets History (1970) Mets Open Up the Season as Reigning World Champs
In the off season, the team enjoyed all the fanfare, benefits & celebrations that came with being world champions. Officially dubbed "The Amazing Mets" every member of that team would forever be remembered for their contribution to the Miracle Mets of 1969. Endorsements, commercials & speaking engagements kept the players busy.
 |
| Pitching Coach Rube Walker & Manager Gil Hodges |
In January, the front office, suffered a tragedy when GM Johnny Murphy passed away from a fatal heart. Bob Scheffing took over as the teams GM.
The Mets batting order looked similar to the '69 World Champs lineup, except for the addition Bronx born third baseman; Joe Foy. Veteran Ed Charles retired & the Mets still didn't have full confidence in Wayne Garrett.
The Mets also brought in veteran pitcher Ray Sadecki from St. Louis & outfielder Dave Marshall from the Giants.
The 1970 Mets opened the season in Pittsburgh, taking on the Danny Murtaugh's Pirates at Forbes Field in front of 34,249.
Three Rivers Stadium: The Pirates season was set to open up in the new Three Rivers Stadium.
Three Rivers was a large cookie cutter circular stadium with artificial turf. It was the first multi-purpose Stadium which would be home to the Pirates & NFL Pittsburgh Steelers. But construction delays put off the stadium's opening until July.
Three Rivers was a large cookie cutter circular stadium with artificial turf. It was the first multi-purpose Stadium which would be home to the Pirates & NFL Pittsburgh Steelers. But construction delays put off the stadium's opening until July.
The Pirates would play in Three Rivers Stadium until 2001, winning nine divisional titles, two pennants& two World Series titles. The legendary NFL Steelers Dynasty would win four Super Bowl titles with Three Rivers being the team's home.
In 1972, the famous "Immaculate Reception" play occurred there as well.
To start the 1970 MLB season, season, Manager Gil Hodges sent his Cy Young Award winner Tom Seaver to the mound. In 1969 Seaver led the NL in wins (25) with 208 strike outs, a 2.21 ERA & 7.2 WAR. Today faced Danny Murtaugh's Pirates & pitcher Steve Blass.
Tom Seaver was shaky in the 1st inning, giving up a leadoff double to Matty Alou & an RBI single to Roberto Clemente. In the 2nd inning, the Pirates tied up the game as Al Oliver tripled & catcher Jerry May brought him in with a sac fly.
In the top of the 3rd, Tommie Agee got his second hit of the day, then stole second base. It was the first of Agee's 31 team leading stolen bases on the season.
Agee advanced to third on Bud Harrelson's ground out. Joe Foy then hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Agee putting the Mets up 3-2.
Seaver gave up a double to Richie Hebner but rolled along retiring the next six batters to get to the bottom of the 6th. In the top of the 6th, Steve Blass gave up a double to Art Shamsky & walked Wayne Garrett intentionally with two outs to get to Jerry Grote who grounded out.
Seaver gave up a double to Richie Hebner but rolled along retiring the next six batters to get to the bottom of the 6th. In the top of the 6th, Steve Blass gave up a double to Art Shamsky & walked Wayne Garrett intentionally with two outs to get to Jerry Grote who grounded out.
(231) & doubles (41). He would hit eight triples in 1970. Next, Roberto Clemente drove him in with his second RBI on the day, tying the game up at 3-3. Clemente the winner of four batting titles, would be limited to 108 games that season, but hit .352 with 60 RBIs.
The score remained tied, going into extra innings. Tom Seaver would pitch eight innings giving up three runs on nine hits, walking no one with five strike outs. on Taylor came on to pitch in the 9th inning.
In the top of the 10th inning, the Mets threatened. Tommie Agee collected his third hit of the day with a base hit to left field. He was sacrificed to second by Bud Harrelson.
Harrelson would lead the team in sacrifice hits (12) in 1970 & again in 1971 (11).
With two outs, Cleon Jones hit a tough grounder to second base, Agee broke from third trying to score but was thrown out at home plate by second baseman Bill Mazeroski, ending the inning.
In the top of the 11th, the Mets rookie Mike Jorgensen, who had replaced Art Shamsky at first base, singled to lead off the inning. Ron Swoboda then reached on an error. Wayne Garret sacrificed both runners up to scoring positions. Jerry Grote was then walked intentionally, loading the bases up.
Ken Boswell was announced as the pinch hitter, but Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh went to his bullpen, bringing in lefty, Joe Gibbon.
Gil Hodges counter acted the move going to his bench bringing in the 1969 World Series MVP Donn Clendenon to hit for Boswell.
Clendenon delivered with a base hit up the middle, bringing in both Swoboda & Jorgensen giving the Mets a 5-3 lead.
Reliever Ron Taylor had given the Mets two scoreless innings. In the bottom of the 11th, Tug McGraw came in to close out the game.
 |
| Donn Clendenon |
Reliever Ron Taylor had given the Mets two scoreless innings. In the bottom of the 11th, Tug McGraw came in to close out the game.
Tug issued a leadoff walk to Roberto Clemente, then he retired Willie Stargell & Al Oliver on pop up foul outs. McGraw then struck out Gene Alley to end the game.
Mets Trivia: After nine seasons, the Mets finally won their first ever Opening Day. They became the first team to win a World Series before winning an opening day to start a season.
The 1970 Mets would be in the pennant race until late September but then fell short, finishing third at 83-79 six games back of the Pirates. The Pirates who would lose in the NLCS to the Cincinnati Reds.