Remebering Mets History: (1993) Dwight Gooden Shuts Out Colorado Rockies In the Franchise 1st Ever Game

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April 5th 1993: The 1992 Mets ended the season at a disappointing 72-90 in fifth place. It had only been six years since the 1986 World Championship & four years since the teams last N.L. East title.

 In 1993 Howard Johnson, Sid Fernandez & Dwight Gooden were the only players left from the '86 Championship season. It all went so bad so quick. 1993 would be even worse as the Mets fell to seventh place winning just 59 games while losing 103. Dallas Green would replace Jeff Torborg as manager in May.
But on Opening Day there is always optimism & with Dwight Gooden on the mound at Shea Stadium, it was a good day. 53,127 Mets fans poured into Shea Stadium as the Mets got started on the 31st year in team history.

Today was a historic day for MLB as it was the first game in history for the new National League Colorado Rockies. 
The Rockies manager was former MLB player; Don Baylor. Baylor sent David Neid to the mound against Gooden. Nied would have a short five year career going 17-18 with a 5.06 ERA in 52 games. 

The Mets also honored NHL Jets player, Dennis Byrd before the game. Byrd had been injured the prior season, breaking his cervical vertebrae & was unable to walk for months after. He did recover but never played football again.

Starting Lineups




Today Dwight Gooden shined, as he pitched a complete game four hit shut out on his way to a 3-0 win. Gooden struck out just four batters while walking just one, throwing only 101 pitches. Gooden would go on to have his second straight losing season at 12-15 with a 3.45 ERA.

 In the bottom of the 2nd, the Mets got lead off hits from Joe Orsulak & Jeff Kent. With one out, Dwight Gooden hit a fielders choice to third base, Orsulak who had reached third earlier, attempted to score. Third baseman Charlie Hayes threw to catcher Joe Girardi & nailed Orsulak at home to end the inning.

 Gooden got into a jam in the 3rd inning, as a single a walk & hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs for slugger Andres Galarraga. Gooden reared back & struck out Galarraga to end the threat. Gooden never faced more than three batters until the 9th inning.

Singles by Galarraga & then Dante Bichette threatened, but Galarraga was thrown out as Bichette's pop up fell in for a single in short right field.

In the 4th inning, Gooden & Vince Coleman both singled. Gooden scored on a Tony Fernandez base hit. In the 5th inning Bobby Bonilla hit a solo HR, he would hit a career high 34 that year & drive in 87 runs.

In the home 6th, Coleman singled again & came home on Eddie Murrays single to left field.

The Mets went on to a 3-1 win.


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