50th Anniversary of 1969 Mets: Mets Sweep Twi-Night Double Header As Phillie Slugger Dick Allen Gets Suspended
Drama: In the late morning, controversial Phillie slugger Ritchie Allen (soon to be known as Dick Allen) decided he wanted to go to Monmouth Park, New Jersey to bet on a horse race. Allen made the 72 mile trip from Shea to the racetrack & played the ponies. He made his way back to Queens, but arrived at the ballpark after the game had already started, infuriating his manager.
Some in the Phillies organization believed he forgot there was double header, thinking it was just an ordinary night game start. Others claim he just didn’t care. According to Allen himself, he said he got stuck in the New York metropolitan area traffic. In the end he was fined by Skinner and suspended until the middle of July.
The Phils and Dick Allen had been battling each other all year. Most recently he had already been late for two games that same month. But there were plenty of other issues too. In all fairness to Allen he was never a welcomed man in Philadelphia. He had been booed mercifully when he struggled early on in his career. Things got so bad, he had to wear a batting helmet on the field because the fans would throw objects at him.
He actually answered them, back by writing BOO in the dirt with his foot, around first base while playing at the position. (After seven seasons in Philly, Allen moved on to St. Louis (1970) & then Los Angeles (1971) Eventually to the Chicago White Sox (1972-1974) winning two AL HR titles, an RBI title & the 1972 MVP Award.)
As for the double header at Shea Stadium; Gil Hodges Mets (37-28) were in second place, five games back of the Chicago Cubs. In the first game they sent Tom Seaver (11-2) to the mound facing the fifth place Phils' Woodie Fryman (6-3).
Tom Seaver went on to have another outstanding game. Tom Terrific would throw a complete game seven hitter, striking out nine batters & walking just one. The victory got him to an 11-3 record on the season, one of baseballs best, with one of the leagues best ERA's at 2.53 to go along with it, on his way to his first Cy Young Award.
In the home 3rd, Al Weis singled & was moved over on a Seaver bunt. Bud Harrelson then tripled scoring Weis making it 1-0. It was Harrelson's third triple of the year, he would have six on the season.
The leagues leading hitter (.346), Cleon Jones then brought in Harrelson with a base hit. It was all New York needed for the 2-1 win.
Second Game: In the nightcap Mets Manager Gil Hodges sent Jim McAndrew (0-2) to the mound to face Philadelphia's Jerry Johnson (3-6).
Starting Lineups
| Philadelphia Phillies | New York Mets | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Larry Hisle | CF | 1 | Bud Harrelson | SS | |
| 2 | Cookie Rojas | 2B | 2 | Tommie Agee | CF | |
| 3 | Johnny Callison | RF | 3 | Cleon Jones | LF | |
| 4 | John Briggs | LF | 4 | Donn Clendenon | 1B | |
| 5 | Gene Stone | 1B | 5 | Ron Swoboda | RF | |
| 6 | Mike Ryan | C | 6 | Ed Charles | 3B | |
| 7 | Rick Joseph | 3B | 7 | Jerry Grote | C | |
| 8 | Terry Harmon | SS | 8 | Al Weis | 2B | |
| 9 | Woodie Fryman | P | 9 | Tom Seaver | P |
In the home 3rd, Al Weis singled & was moved over on a Seaver bunt. Bud Harrelson then tripled scoring Weis making it 1-0. It was Harrelson's third triple of the year, he would have six on the season.
Second Game: In the nightcap Mets Manager Gil Hodges sent Jim McAndrew (0-2) to the mound to face Philadelphia's Jerry Johnson (3-6).
Starting Lineups
| Philadelphia Phillies | New York Mets | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Larry Hisle | CF | 1 | Bud Harrelson | SS | |
| 2 | Cookie Rojas | 2B | 2 | Tommie Agee | CF | |
| 3 | Johnny Callison | RF | 3 | Ken Boswell | 2B | |
| 4 | John Briggs | LF | 4 | Art Shamsky | RF | |
| 5 | Gene Stone | 1B | 5 | Wayne Garrett | 3B | |
| 6 | Mike Ryan | C | 6 | Ed Kranepool | 1B | |
| 7 | Rick Joseph | 3B | 7 | J.C. Martin | C | |
| 8 | Terry Harmon | SS | 8 | Rod Gaspar | LF |
Ron Taylor came on in the 9th inning & recorded his sixth save, as the Mets easily swept the twin bill.
As for the Mets offense; In the bottom of the 4th, Tommie Agee reached on an error & Kenny Boswell singled.
Art Shamsky & Wayne Garrett both singled driving in runs making it 2-0. Ed Kranepool’s sac fly drove in Shamsky making it 3-0. The pitcher, Jim McAndrew then drew a walk with the bases loaded for the 4th run.
In the home 8th; Tommie Agee hit his 11th HR of the year, a solo shot capping off the 5-0 win.
Trivia: Tommie Agee would lead all batters with 14 HRs at Shea Stadium in 1969.
In the home 8th; Tommie Agee hit his 11th HR of the year, a solo shot capping off the 5-0 win.
Trivia: Tommie Agee would lead all batters with 14 HRs at Shea Stadium in 1969.
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