Remembering Mets History (1969): Jim McAndrew Tosses Two Hitter

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Wednesday August 20th, 1969: Gil Hodges Mets (68-51) were in second place still seven games behind the Chicago Cubs. On the young Mets, star studded pitching staff names like Seaver, Ryan, Koosman, McGraw & Gentry certainly stood out But there were other fine pitchers on this staff as well. 

A young man, named Jim McAndrew had a quiet career in the shadows of some of those great pitchers. In August 1969, McAndrew threw back to back shut outs, won three straight games & pitched three straight complete games, keeping the Mets in the pennant race.

On this night he went up against, future Hall of Famer; Gaylord Perry & manager Clyde King's (64-57) San Francisco Giants.  A big paid crowd of 48,414 came to Shea for the big game.

Starting Lineups

In the first inning, McAndrew gave up a double to Don Mason, the second batter he faced. In the 3rd, Mason haunted McAndrew again as he tripled to right field. But these were to be the only two hits Jim McAndrew would allow all night.

He struck out six Giants & walked three, on his way to the 6-0 shut out. Don Mason a .217 hitter at the time, had the two hits as the bats of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey & Bobby Bonds all went a combined 0-9.

 The Mets scored off Gaylord Perry as early as the 1st inning, back to back doubles from Bobby Pfeil & Art Shamsky made it 1-0. In the 2nd, Bud Harrelson singled, then catcher Duffy Dyer reached on an error. Next, Tommie Agee singled, scoring Harrelson, making it 2-0. Dyer was thrown out at third & Agee advanced on the throw.

In the home 5th, Art Shamsky blasted a three run HR, knocking Perry out of the game. It was Shamsky's 10th of the year. Wayne Garrett doubled & Harrelson tripled (his 5th of the year) off Ray Sadecki to cap off the 6-0 Mets win.

McAndrew struck out six on the night, walking three in the two hit shut out. He 

 would be part of both the 1969 World Champion Mets team & the 1973 Pennant winner. He pitched an overall six seasons with the Mets going 36-49 with four saves & a 3.54 ERA.

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