Remembering Mets History (1986) The Mets Go Mets Go Music Video

Sunday August 17th 1986: A large crowd of 44,843 came out for this Sunday afternoon Shea doubleheader as the first place New York Mets (76-41) hosted Whitey Herzog's third place, rival St. Louis Cardinals (59-58).

In between games of this twin bill, the Mets filmed their 1986 rally, theme song music video- "Lets Go Mets Go". 

In the mid 1980's everyone started to capitalize on their success by making so called music videos. The Mets were no exception.

The tune was written & produced by Shelly Palmer. The song was sung by Tom Bernfeld. Bernfeld had done some work with Eric Clapton.

The song was the promotional idea of Jerry Della Femina & two of his executives. Della Femina was a Coney Island native. His ad agency were hired by the Mets in the early 1980's & came up with the slogans "The Magic Is Back" & "Catch the Rising Stars".

The advertising agency was very successful in the commercial industry. They were famous for classic ads like the Meow Mix Cat Food theme, the Joe Izuzu continuing ads. Blue Nun wines, which featured actor / actress, husband & wife  Jerry Stiller & Ann Meara. Also there were ads & slogans for Chemical Bank, Becks Beer & Pan Am airlines.

On this day centerfieldmaz & friends were in the Shea  Stadium crowd doing the chant with others. The crowd was directed by a video team. 

Shots of the fans singing, cheering & doing "the wave" were filmed. There were also Mets players doing their parts on the field.  It was certainly geeky but all in fun. 

Back in the 80's it was awesome, as was anything to do with that great Mets team. Us fans, like the team were cocky & couldn't wait for the playoffs to start. There was a feeling that no one could beat this Mets team.

In the first game, the Mets lost a 2-1 pitchers duel, as John Tudor held the Mets to a run in seven innings. Ray Soff & Pat Perry finished it off. The Cards knocked Rick Aguilera out in the 2nd inning, as he took the loss.

After the filming of the video, I remember there being a real party atmosphere around Shea Stadium. Mets pitcher, Randy Nieman went up against the Cards Danny Cox.


Starting Lineups

	St. Louis Cardinals				New York Mets
1	Vince Coleman	CF		1	Lenny Dykstra	CF
2	Terry Pendleton	3B		2	Wally Backman	2B
3	Tom Herr	2B		3	Keith Hernandez	1B
4	Alan Knicely	1B		4	Darryl Strawberry	RF
5	Tito Landrum	LF		5	Danny Heep	LF
6	Steve Lake	C		6	Howard Johnson	3B
7	John Morris	RF		7	John Gibbons	C
8	Jose Oquendo	SS		8	Rafael Santana	SS
9	Danny Cox	P		9	Randy Niemann	P

The Mets got to Cox in the 3rd inning. Catcher, John Gibbons walked, Rafael Santana singled & Wally Backman doubled bringing in Gibby, to make it 1-0. 

In the 4th, Darryl Strawberry drew a lead off walk. Then, Danny Heep hit a two run HR making it 3-0 Mets.

In the home 5th, the pitcher Nieman & Wally Backman both singled. A St. Louis error led to another run. Danny Heep then added an RBI double making it 5-2. In the 6th inning, Tim Teufel added a solo HR off Ricky Horton. In the 8th, Gibbons doubled & Rafael Santana walked. Then Lenny Dykstra, "Nails"  belted a three run HR topping off the 9-2 Mets win.

Niemann pitched six innings allowing both runs on five hits. Roger McDowell notched his 12th save with three scoreless innings, striking out two with just one hit.