Remembering Mets History (1969) Gil Hodges Removes Cleon Jones From Left Field
The Mets manager Gil Hodges demanded that his players gave it 100% at all times, no matter what the score or situation was. He also demanded discipline from his team as well.
On this day, he sent a message to his team, that no slacking off would be tolerated, not even from his team's best hitter, who was chasing the NL batting title. The incident has become legendary in Gil Hodges lore & in the 1969 Mets story.
Harry Walker's fifth place Houston Astros (52-49) came in to play a double header in a wet rainy Shea Stadium in front of 28,922 fans.
In the first game of the twin bill, the Astros destroyed the Mets 16-3, highlighted by an eleven run 9th inning that featured two grand slam HRs from "the toy cannon" Jimmy Wynn & Dennis Menke.
Trivia: his was the first time a National League team had ever hit two grand slams in the same inning. The 1962 Twins had done it in the AL.
In the first game of the twin bill, the Astros destroyed the Mets 16-3, highlighted by an eleven run 9th inning that featured two grand slam HRs from "the toy cannon" Jimmy Wynn & Dennis Menke. Trivia: his was the first time a National League team had ever hit two grand slams in the same inning. The 1962 Twins had done it in the AL.
The Astros grand slams came off the Mets pitchers Cal Koonce & Ron Taylor. The inning featured seven hits & four walks. Overall Houston bashed 14 hits & drew nine walks, shocking the Mets & the Shea fans. The Astros also got a good outing from their star pitcher, Don Wilson.
Night Cap: In the second game, the Rookie Gary Gentry (9-8) went up against the Astros Larry Dierker (12-8).
The second game was no better, as the Mets took an 11-5 loss, to Larry Dierker who allowed five runs on twelve hits. The Astros had another huge inning, a ten-run 3rd inning, in which Gary Gentry gave up eight runs, five hits & three walks, plus a wild pitch, as 13 Astros came to the plate.
Nolan Ryan came in to relieve Gary Gentry with the Mets down 7-0. Next, Astros catcher Johnny Edwards doubled to left field scoring Doug Rader who had singled.
Mets left fielder Cleon Jones who had been nursing an ankle injury, slowly went after the ball and weakly tossed it to the infield.
Next thing everyone saw, was manager Gil Hodges coming out of the dugout. He started walking to the mound, but Ryan had just pitched to one batter & wasn't on the hook yet. Hodges didn’t want him & walked past the mound.
Short stop Bud Harrelson thought "oh no he's coming to get me", but couldn’t figure what he had done wrong. Hodges had no problem with the short stop & walked past Harrelson toward left field.
Short stop Bud Harrelson thought "oh no he's coming to get me", but couldn’t figure what he had done wrong. Hodges had no problem with the short stop & walked past Harrelson toward left field.
Cleon Jones, who originally thought Hodges was going to Harrelson, now knew he was coming for him. The rest of the team held their breath. Mets pitcher Tom Seaver thought to himself, “I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of this”.
According to Cleon Jones, when Hodges arrived in left field, he said to him “I don't like the way you went after that ball, is that ankle still bothering you? You better come out, if you’re nursing it like that”.
At first Jones said “ I told you I can play through it Gil, the grass is just wet.”
Hodges then sternly said "No you better come with me" & pulled him from the game. Hodges turned around, walking back toward the dugout with a dejected Cleon Jones. His head hung low, a few feet behind the manager.
At first Jones said “ I told you I can play through it Gil, the grass is just wet.”
Hodges then sternly said "No you better come with me" & pulled him from the game. Hodges turned around, walking back toward the dugout with a dejected Cleon Jones. His head hung low, a few feet behind the manager.
Manager Gil Hodges just proved a point to his team, he would not settle for anything else than 100% from his players, always, no matter what the score or situation is. It must be noted that at the time of the incident, that Cleon Jones was leading the N.L. in hitting. The rest of the players got the message, if the manager can remove the league’s batting leader he could remove any of us.
From this day forward on the 1969 Mets would go 45-19 the best record in baseball.
Trivia: Years later, Gil Hodges widow Joan, spoke about that night at an event in Brooklyn. She said later that evening, after the game she asked her husband why he would do that to the young man in front of everyone, Hodges said, he realized after he walked past the mound he couldn't go back!
Trivia: Years later, Gil Hodges widow Joan, spoke about that night at an event in Brooklyn. She said later that evening, after the game she asked her husband why he would do that to the young man in front of everyone, Hodges said, he realized after he walked past the mound he couldn't go back!
Comments
The Mets allow players, coaches and executives to by-pass superiors to talk with the owners. Wonder why they drop balls and throw balls away?? No accountability..
Long live Gil!!!