Remembering Mets History: (1983) Mookie Wilson & Tom Seaver Help Sweep A Twin Bill

Wednesday April 20th 1983: A Wednesday double header was big game for popular Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson. The Mets led by manager George Bamberger hosted Chuck Tanner's Pittsburgh Pirates. The first game was like a day from the past, as Tom Seaver took the mound & pitched a three hit shut out.

The 38 year old Seaver was brought back to New York that year after spending 5 1/2 years with the Reds. He was traded for Charlie Puleo, Lloyd McClendenon & minor leaguer Jason Felice. The Mets were not a good team at the time & the return of Seaver was a nostalgic treat.

This was Seaver's best outing of the 1983 season, he pitched a complete game, three hit shut out striking out nine & walking three.

Starting Lineups

	Pittsburgh Pirates				New York Mets
1	Lee Lacy	RF		1	Mookie Wilson	CF
2	Lee Mazzilli	CF		2	Bob Bailor	SS
3	Bill Madlock	3B		3	Dave Kingman	1B
4	Jason Thompson	1B		4	George Foster	LF
5	Mike Easler	LF		5	Mark Bradley	RF
6	Johnny Ray	2B		6	Hubie Brooks	3B
7	Tony Pena	C		7	Ron Hodges	C
8	Dale Berra	SS		8	Brian Giles	2B
9	Larry McWilliams	P		9	Tom Seaver	P

The Mets offense provide some rare pop that day to back up Tom Terrific. Even Seaver himself added to the offense hitting the fifth triple of his career, at 38 years old his RBI triple made it 2-0 Mets. He would score on Mookie Wilson's sac fly.

In the 3rd, Mets long time back up catcher Ron Hodges added an RBI single & in the 7th Dave Kingman blasted a two run HR topping off the 6-0 win. Mookie went 2-4 in the first game with an RBI. On this rare occasion the Mets would sweep the  double header. The Mets would play ten double headers in 1983 winning four of them, losing two & splitting the rest. The 1983 Mets would finish last 68-94.

Starting Lineups

	Pittsburgh Pirates				New York Mets
1	Lee Lacy	RF		1	Mookie Wilson	CF
2	Lee Mazzilli	CF		2	Ron Gardenhire	SS
3	Richie Hebner	3B		3	Dave Kingman	1B
4	Jason Thompson	1B		4	Rusty Staub	LF
5	Mike Easler	LF		5	Danny Heep	RF
6	Johnny Ray	2B		6	Mike Bishop	C
7	Dale Berra	SS		7	Wally Backman	3B
8	Steve Nicosia	C		8	Brian Giles	2B
9	Lee Tunnell	P		9	Mike Torrez	P

In the nightcap the Mets Mike Torrez went up against the Pirates Lee Tunnell. In the 2nd inning, the Pirates scored two runs off Torrez both coming from ground outs after a walk & a base hit.

In the home 2nd Danny Heep walked & Mike Bishop doubled. They were brought in by Wally Backman with a base hit. Brian Giles then singled to center & Mookie Wilson came up driving a triple down the right field line. The Mets were up 4-2.

In the 4th inning, Pittsburgh's Mike Easler walked & came home on Dale Berra's double. He advanced to third on the throw & then scored after a third strike on Steve Nicosia got by Mets' catcher Mike Bishop. The score was now tied at four.

But this wacky game had another twist In the home 5th Mookie led off with a base hit & then stole second base. He advanced to third & with two outs came home to score on a wild pitch to Mike Bishop from pitcher Rod Scurry who had relieved Tunnel. But in top of the 6th the Met lead disappeared as Met pitcher Carlos Diaz allowed a single a walked & a run to score on a double play ball.

In the 8th the Mets got to one of the top relievers in the game, the side armed throwing Kent Tekulve. With two outs Brian Giles walked & pinch hitter George Foster walked as well. Then the star of the day, Mookie Wilson drove a hit into the left center field gap scoring what was to be the winning run. The Mets went on to the 6-5 win after Neil Allen closed it out.

On the day Mookie went 5-9, with four RBIs raising his average from .263 to .300 that day. That year he would lead the NL in plate appearances (6380 bat .276 & steal 54 bases (4th in the NL).