Remembering Mets History (1973): Willie Mays Last Career Walk Off Hit

Saturday April 7th, 1973: The Mets had opened up their 1973 NL Pennant winning season with an Opening Day win at Shea Stadium, where Tom Seaver beat the Phillies Steve Carlton 3-0 in a five-hit shutout.

18,738 fans came out to see Yogi Berra's Mets host Danny Ozarks Phillies. The Mets sent the 1972 NL Rookie of the Year Jon Matlack to the mound for his first start of the year. Today he faced the Phillies veteran Jim Lonborg.

41-year-old Willie Mays got the start in centerfield today, Willie would make 55 starts in the 1973 season. The fans who were always excited to see the popular Mays play, were in for a big thrill today as The Sey Hey Kid would collect the last walk off hit of his career on this day.

In the top of the 1st inning, Matlack retired the first batter Larry Bowa. Then future 1986 Mets batting instructor, Bill Robinson walked & stole second base. 

"The Hot Dog" Willie Montanez who would also be a future Mets player, singled in Robinson for the first run of the game.

In the bottom of the 1st, Bud Harrelson led off with a walk & stole second. But Jim Lonborg struck out Felix Millan & retired Mays & Rusty Staub on fly balls. In the home 2nd inning, the '73 Mets leading HR hitter John Milner, hit his first of the season to tie the game at one each. 

In the bottom of the 3rd, after two-line drive outs Rusty Staub doubled. Cleon Jones then singled scoring Staub with the Mets second run as they took a 2-1 lead.

Matlack & Lonborg held their opponents down into the 6th inning. In the top frame, Bill Robinson struck again leading off the inning with a solo HR to tie the game up at two. Robinson would hit 25 HRs that season, the second most of his career.

John Milner led off the Mets 6th inning with a base hit but was thrown out by Bob Boone trying to steal second base. Lonborg then retired Jim Fregosi & catcher Duffy Dyer. 

In the bottom of the 7th, the Mets threatened as Jon Matlack drew a walk, then Bud Harrelson & Felix Millan singled loading the bases. 

Phillies manager Danny Ozark removed Lonborg & brought in reliever Billy Wilson for the 7th inning. Lonborg's day was six innings two runs on seven hits, two strike outs & four walks.

Wilson got Willie Mays to ground into a double play from third to home to first (5-2-3). 

Rusty Staub was then walked intentionally, as Billy Wilson got Cleon Jones to ground out unassisted to the short stop Larry Bowa to end the threat.

Mon Matlack, who was a favorite of Mets manager Yogi Berra, remained in the game. He retired the side in order in the 8th inning. 

In the top of the 9th, he walked Willie Montanez to start the inning. Then Deron Johnson sacrificed him to second. Next up slugger Greg Luzinski known as "the Bull" was walked intentionally. 

Matlack then got Jose Pagan & Bob Boone to both fly out to end the Phillies threat. On the day Matlack pitched nine innings, allowing two runs on just two Phillies hits. He walked five & only struck out two batters, leaving in a 2-2 tie.

In the bottom of the 9th, former Met pitcher Dick Selma, who was a high school friend of Tom Seaver's in Fresno, California, came on for the Phillies to pitch.

Mets pinch hitter, Ed Kranepool led off with a walk & Ted Martinez was brought in to run for him. 

Dick Selma struck out Bud Harrelson & got Felix Millan to hit a ground ball to second base, but Martinez reached the base safely. 

Now with two outs the stage was set for Willie Mays.

The Say Hey Kid, delivered with a base hit, Teddy Martinez came around third & crossed the plate with the game winning walk off run. The Mets had an exciting win delighting the Shea crowd as their beloved Willie Mays came through for them in heroic fashion. It was the last walk off hit in his Hall of Fame career.