Remembering Mets History (1973) Cleon Jones Becomes the First Mets Player to Collect 1000th Hits
Yogi Berra's club were still ten games below .500. They were in last place of the NL Eastern division, back nine games. Some of the new papers were calling for Yogi Berra to be let go as manager.
There was even a fan survey asking who the Mets should axe, the manager, the GM or the Chairman of the Board. The fans voted for Yogi to stay, as he was that popular a figure.
Berra had just stated to the press a few days ago his now famous line- "It Ain't over till it's over". Tug McGraw had shouted out his famous "You gotta Believe" motivation call a few weeks earlier, at chairman M. Donald Grant's team meeting. It was yet to be believed.
Eventually things would turn around, as most of the injured regulars returned to action. Excellent pitching & an amazing September run, got the Mets to win the Eastern division. A big win over the Big Red Machine in the NLCS & a seven game run which they fell short in the World Series, against the mighty A's.
One of the regulars back in action was Cleon Jones. Jones was one of the Mets main hitters, he had already missed almost two months of action with an injury. He returned in July & started making a difference. On this night he reached his own career milestone.
In the bottom of the 8th Felix Millan reached on an error. Then Willie Mays singled again & another Pirate error led to Millan scoring all the way from first. It was 4-0 Mets.
There was even a fan survey asking who the Mets should axe, the manager, the GM or the Chairman of the Board. The fans voted for Yogi to stay, as he was that popular a figure.
Berra had just stated to the press a few days ago his now famous line- "It Ain't over till it's over". Tug McGraw had shouted out his famous "You gotta Believe" motivation call a few weeks earlier, at chairman M. Donald Grant's team meeting. It was yet to be believed.
Eventually things would turn around, as most of the injured regulars returned to action. Excellent pitching & an amazing September run, got the Mets to win the Eastern division. A big win over the Big Red Machine in the NLCS & a seven game run which they fell short in the World Series, against the mighty A's.
One of the regulars back in action was Cleon Jones. Jones was one of the Mets main hitters, he had already missed almost two months of action with an injury. He returned in July & started making a difference. On this night he reached his own career milestone.The Mets (47-57) hosted the reigning NL Eastern Champion Pittsburgh Pirates (51-57). Danny Murtaugh's Pirates were also struggling. at this time. The Pirates were a mighty force in those days, winning five of six divisional titles from 1970-1975. Tonight the Mets Ray Sadecki took on the Pirates, Jim Rooker.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Mets struck with consecutive singles from Don Hahn, Felix Millan & Willie Mays. As Hahn scored, it was Willie Mays' 1895th career RBI.
Next up was Cleon Jones, Jones doubled to right field scoring Mays & Millan with the Mets second & third runs. For Cleon it was a milestone 1000th career hit. He became the franchise's first player to accomplish that feat.
By now, Jones had been with the Mets for a decade, having played in parts of nine seasons. He was there for the bad clubs & then was the main hitter on the 1969 Championship team. That year he batted .340. Once again, he was the Mets main left fielder & key hitter in this pennant season.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Mets struck with consecutive singles from Don Hahn, Felix Millan & Willie Mays. As Hahn scored, it was Willie Mays' 1895th career RBI. Next up was Cleon Jones, Jones doubled to right field scoring Mays & Millan with the Mets second & third runs. For Cleon it was a milestone 1000th career hit. He became the franchise's first player to accomplish that feat.
By now, Jones had been with the Mets for a decade, having played in parts of nine seasons. He was there for the bad clubs & then was the main hitter on the 1969 Championship team. That year he batted .340. Once again, he was the Mets main left fielder & key hitter in this pennant season.
In the bottom of the 8th Felix Millan reached on an error. Then Willie Mays singled again & another Pirate error led to Millan scoring all the way from first. It was 4-0 Mets. Jones then grounded out moving Mays to third. He would score on Jerry Grote's sacrifice bunt.
Veteran Met pitcher Ray Sadecki, had himself a shut out going to the 9th inning. He would allow a run & then be relieved by Tug McGraw. McGraw shut down the Bucs & earned his 12th save.
After a terrible start, McGraw would be one of the best relievers in the game for the rest of the season, helping the Mets cause. For Sadecki he earned the win it was his second of the year (2-1).
Veteran Met pitcher Ray Sadecki, had himself a shut out going to the 9th inning. He would allow a run & then be relieved by Tug McGraw. McGraw shut down the Bucs & earned his 12th save.
After a terrible start, McGraw would be one of the best relievers in the game for the rest of the season, helping the Mets cause. For Sadecki he earned the win it was his second of the year (2-1).
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