Remembering Mets History: (1967) Bud Harrelson's Walk Off Winning Run

Sunday July 2nd, 1967: Wes Westrum’s ninth place Mets (27-44) hosted Red Schoendienst’s first place St. Louis Cardinals (44-29) for a Sunday afternoon double header. The Cardinals would go on to win the World Series that year, defeating the Boston Red Sox in an exciting seven games.

In the first game, the Mets sent veteran Bob Hendley (2-1) to the mound for the start. They would use seven pitchers in this first game of the twin bill. They would use just two in the night cap. A paid attendance of 37,100 fans came out to Shea on this day.

The Cardinals sent Dick Hughes to the mound, Hughes would go 16-6 with a 2.67 for the Cards that year, then 0-1 in the World Series. He would have just a short three-year MLB career.

In the top of the 2nd, the Cards Phil Gagliano walked. Hendley struck out the next two batters but then Hall of Famer, Lou Brock had an RBI single to make it 1-0. 

In the Cards 3rd, Curt Flood singled, then Hendley served up a two run HR to Mike Shannon. It was 3-0 St. Louis & Hendley was relieved by Ron Taylor. 

In the home 4th inning, the Mets Ed Kranepool hit a solo HR to right, his fourth of the season. After Ron Swoboda walked, Ken Boyer doubled bringing in Swoboda with the Mets second run 3-2.

In the top of the 5th, Orlando Cepeda doubled & advanced on a Mets error. Mike Shannon hit a sac fly scoring Cepeda to make it 4-2.

In the home 7th, with two outs the Mets connected for three straight base hits. Bud Harrelson, Larry Stahl & Tommy Davis all singled with Harrelson scoring the Mets third run. 

In the home 8th, Mets third baseman Ken Boyer hit his second HR of the year to tie the game at four.

The Mets bullpen of Dick Selma (two scoreless innings) Dennis Bennett who walked two but was relieved by Jack Fisher who got the last two outs of the 7th inning & Don Shaw who tossed a scoreless 9th, held the Cardinals down the rest of the way.

 The game stayed tied going into the bottom of the 9th inning. Joe Hoerner hot Ed Charles to fly out for the first out. Then Bud Harrelson lined a base hit to center field, it was Harelson's third hit of the game.

For St. Louis, Nelson Briles came in to relieve Joe Hoerner facing the Mets; Tommie Reynolds.

Harrelson got a good jump, took off & stole second base, his fourth steal of the year. The Cards backup catcher, Johnny Romano was behind the plate as main backstop; Tim McCarver was to start in the second game. Romano made an error on the throw to second & Harrelson advanced to third base.

Briles then walked Reynolds & threw a wild pitch on ball four. The always alert & aggressive, Harrelson scampered home with the games winning run, as the Mets had a wild walk off win. 

Trivia: Harrelson’s importance to the Mets went way beyond the statistics. His defense was one of the best of his era, in a time when short stops didn’t hit. Harrelson made two All Star appearances, despite his low batting averages, he drew walks & had solid on base percentages. 

He also received votes for the MVP Award three times in his career. He was a smart, scrappy base runner, stealing over twenty bases twice.