Remembering Mets History: (2005) Dae-Sung Koo Has His Day In The Sun

Saturday May 21, 2005: On a Saturday afternoon, nationally televised, Fox Game of the Week, Willie Randolph's Mets hosted this years edition of the subway series. 55,800 fans came out to Shea Stadium on this day, to witness a classic.

Short time Korean born pitcher, Dae-Sung Koo gave everyone a thrill & a laugh at the same time. 

Kris Benson got the start for the Mets, against the tall, lean, Randy Johnson. 

Benson had himself a fine afternoon, pitching six shut out innings, allowing just three hits & three walks. He struck out three. He was relieved by Korean born, Dae-Sung Koo. Koo who would actually get a chance to hit in the seventh inning.

Broadcaster Tim McCarver, was telling the audience that Koo was pretty much going to be an easy out. Thats what everyone watching was also expecting. At first, Koo was afraid to even step in the batters box against Johnson. 

In the Mets dugout, Mike Piazza thought the scenario was amusing. He told David Wright "I will donate a million dollars to charity, if he gets a hit".

Koo stood in the batters box & swung at the Johnson pitch. He blasted the 91 mph fastball over the center fielder & against the wall. He dashed into second base with an amazing stand up double. 

The crowd went wild shouting "Kooooooooo".

With Koo was on second base, Jose Reyes the next batter bunted, Koo took off for third base, as he arrived there, he saw no one was covering home plate. 

In all the madness, he made a mad dash for the plate & dove head first into home plate. He avoided an awkward attempt of a tag by the goofy catcher & slid in safely.

The Shea crowd went wild, as did the amazed Mets dugout. Koo had his moment in the sun, looking up under the peak of the his helmet.


Piazza can only laugh in amazement at Koo, realizing he has some big checks to write out to charity over the next few years.

The Mets belted out seven runs & fifteen hits on their way to a 7-1 win. It was also a big day for Jose, as he gets four hits, including his fourth triple of the year and drives in four runs.

Randy Johnson hit the showers and took the 7-1 loss. David Wright collected two hits & drove in two runs. 

Miguel Cairo belted a HR against his former team. Mike Piazza also collected a pair of hits.

Kris Benson (six innings), Koo  (1.1 innings) Roberto Hernandez (0.2 innings) & Braden Looper (one inning) combined for a five hitter, as Looper allows a run in the 9th.

After the game, Koo said he hadn't had an official at bat in 18 years before this game.

The Mets kept pace getting two games behind the first place Florida Marlins.