Remembering Mets History (1970) Tommie Agee Steals Home For A 10th Inning Walk Off Win

Friday July 24, 1970: On this warm summer evening, Walter Alston's second place L.A. Dodgers (55-40) were in town for the first night of a big, weekend Series. 

Manager Gil Hodges, reigning World Champion Mets (51-44) were in second place, 2.5 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As usual, a large crowd came to see the Dodgers whenever they returned to town, who were just 13 years removed from Brooklyn. These Dodgers were 10.5 games behind the Cincinatti Reds.

The Reds would win the 1970 Pennant & lose to the Baltimore Orioles whom the Mets defeated in the 1969 World Series. The Dodgers were in a stretch where they lost seven of ten games.

Tonight, the big Shea crowd of 53,657 was on hand to see the Mets starter Jerry Koosman (5-5), go up against the Dodgers, Bill Singer (7-3).

Both pitchers would put in solid nine inning, one run performances. The Dodgers, Bill Singer allowed five hits, one walk & struck out seven Mets. 

The Mets' Jerry Koosman would give up six hits & allow an unusually high, six walks. Koosman also struck out six batters on the night. 

While earning a no decision in this game, but Koosman would go 7-2 the rest of the way in 1970 to finish 12-7 with a 3.14 ERA.

In the top of the 4th, the Dodgers, Willie Davis singled, stole second & scored on Ted Sizemore's base hit.

In the Mets 6th, rookie Ken Singleton drew a one out walk & then scored on Cleon Jones' double, to tie the game. It was Cleon's tenth double & 31st RBI. It stayed that way into extra innings. 

In the top of the 10th, Mets reliever Tug McGraw came on to pitchhe struck out Wes Parker, then got ground outs from Jim Lefebvre & Ted Sizemore.

Jim Brewer came in to pitch the bottom of the 10th for L.A. in what would be a wild inning. 

Mets pitcher Tug McGraw came to bat & led off the inning with a single. Tommie Agee then attempted to bunt him over. Brewer fielded the bunt, threw to second but McGraw was safe, as short stop Billy Grabarkewitz dropped the ball.

Al Weis came in to pinch run for McGraw, but quickly got picked off of second by Brewer.

Tommie Agee was pesky on the basepaths; he stole second base & then advanced to third when Jim Brewer threw a wild pitch.

Brewer then struck out Bud Harrelson for out number two. 

Then Ken Singleton walked & Donn Clendenon came up to pinch hit for rookie Mike Jorgenson. Clendenon walked as well to load the bases

Then, in a bold move, Tommie Agee broke for home as Brewer was rearing back on the 1-1 count. Agee surprised everyone in the ballpark stealing home plate, sliding safely under the catcher, Tom Haller's tag for the game winning run.

The umpire signaled the safe call, as he fell over Haller and the Mets batter, Cleon Jones. 

The Mets had an Amazing walk off 2-1 win, thanks to Agee's  aggressive base running. His team mates came out to greet Agee, who never lost his helmet on the play.

For Agee it was his 23rd steal of the season, tying the franchise record at that time, set by Cleon Jones in 1968. It was the second time Agee stole home.