Remembering Mets Opening Days (2001) Ventura Leads the Reigning N.L. Champs In Atlanta
The Mets had won the wild card the previous year getting to the World Series. The Braves had been the NL Champions in 1999 beating the Mets in the NLCS. The rivalry was intense with some classic moments thru the years.
The Mets came into 2001 without much improvement, adding pitcher Kevin Appier & outfielder Tsuyoshi Shingo from Japan. Management made a big mistake, passing up on free agent Alex Rodriguez who signed with Texas.
In the top of the 1st, Benny Agbayani led off with a walk, but was thrown out at second, trying to steal. Edgardo Alfonzo then doubled into centerfield.
In the bottom of the 1st, the Braves answered right back, base hits by Rafael Furcal, Andru Jones & Chipper Jones narrowed it a 2-1 Mets lead.
After Edgardo Alfonzo flew out to Andru Jones in center, Braves manager Bobby Cox went to his bullpen, bringing in the troubled pitcher John Rocker.
In the 8th inning, with a 4-2 lead, the Mets bullpen failed. John Franco quickly gave up a single to Dave Martinez & an RBI double to Rafael Furcal. Franco then hit Quilvio Veras with a pitch, putting two men on.
Dennis Cook & John Rocker got their teams to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, Kerry Ligtenberg came on to pitch for Atlanta. After pinch hitter Lenny Harris grounded out, Tsuyoshi Shinjo dropped a base hit into short center.
Then Robin Ventura hit his second HR of the game, a two-run shot to right field that ended up being the game winner.
2001 Season: In the year of the 911 Tragedies, the Mets would finish 82-80 in third place, six games behind the Braves. It was disappointing since they had made the playoffs the past two years & had a run late this season.
For Opening Day at Turner Field, 42,117 came to see Bobby Cox's Braves host Bobby Valentines New York Mets. The starting pitchers for this matchup would be Al Leiter for the Mets & Tom Glavine for the Braves.
After Robin Ventura struck out for out number two Mike Piazza hit his first HR of the year, blasting a shot over the right field wall giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.
Piazza would hit 26 HRs on the season, in 17 games with the Braves he hit five HRs driving in 16 runs. He also had16 RBIs in game against the Phillies, the most RBIs he had against any teams that year.
Over the next five innings, Tom Glavine retired 16 of next 17 batters into the 7th inning.
The Mets Al Leiter would shut out the Braves over the next five innings allowing just two hits.
In the top of the 7th inning, Braves catcher Javier Lopez tied up the game with a solo HR off Leiter.
In the top of the 8th, Glavine began the inning walking Benny Agbayani. Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent Tsuyoshi Shinjo in to pinch run.
In the top of the 8th, Glavine began the inning walking Benny Agbayani. Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent Tsuyoshi Shinjo in to pinch run.
Robin Ventura greeted Rocker with two run HR to straight away center field, putting the Mets back in front 4-2.
The Troubled & Disturbed John Rocker: In 1999 it was Rocker who insulted the people of New York City referring to them among other things as "queers with AIDS, a 20-year-old mother with four kids, teens with purple hair" as well all the foreigners whom he hates. Tension was high when he came to pitch in New York. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig did suspend Rocker for his comments. In three games against the Mets in 2001 Rocker pitched 3.2 innings giving up the HR, two runs overall & three hits while walking two & striking out four.
Bobby Valentine went to Turk Wendell who recorded the next two outs but then gave up an RBI base hit to Brian Jordan tying up the game at 4-4.
Dennis Cook & John Rocker got their teams to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, Kerry Ligtenberg came on to pitch for Atlanta. After pinch hitter Lenny Harris grounded out, Tsuyoshi Shinjo dropped a base hit into short center.
In the bottom of the 10th, Armando Benitez managed to retire the side in order earning the save. Dennis Cook would get credit for the win.
2001 Season: In the year of the 911 Tragedies, the Mets would finish 82-80 in third place, six games behind the Braves. It was disappointing since they had made the playoffs the past two years & had a run late this season.
The Mets & Braves would play in a classic game in the first game in New York back after 911 later in September.