centerfield maz

  Tuesday, August 1st, 1989 : The NL East was a tough division, as the Montreal Expos were in top leading the Chicago Cubs by two games. The St. Louis Cardinals were in third place, five games back with New York Mets right behind them seven games back.  At the trade deadline, the Mets traded the popular Mookie Wilson to Toronto, they also acquired Frank Viola from the Twins in a blockbuster deal. On this night game the two division rivals went at it, as Davey Johnson's Mets (54-50) went up against Whitey Herzog's Cards (54-48) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis in front of 40,444 fans. The Mets Sid Fernandez (8-3) went up against Scott Terry (7-9). It was to be a big night for Kevin Mcreynolds. In the 2nd inning, Kevin McReynolds started out with a double to left. He scored on Barry Lyons' double making it 1-0. In the 6th inning, Juan Samiel doubled to left, Howard Johnson singled to bring him in for the Mets second run. After Darryl Strawberry flew out, Kevin McReynolds homer...

Wednesday August 1st , 1962 : Today 8,681 fans came out to the Polo Grounds to see Casey Stengel's last place Mets (26-77) host Gene Mauch's seventh place Philadelphia Phillies (50-58).  It was the start of a record tying three games for New York Mets slugger, Frank Thomas. Thomas was one of the few good players on the Original Mets 1962 team. The Mets Al Jackson went up against the Phils (future Met) Jack Hamilton. In the 1st, Al Jackson served up a two run HR to Don Demeter & an RBI single to Bob Oldis giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 1st, The Mets Richie Ashburn led off with a bunt base hit. Hot Rod Kanehl  reached on an error by Mel Roach. Charlie Neal got aboard on another infield single. Frank Thomas then walked with the bases loaded for an RBI. Felix Mantilla's sac fly made it a one run game. In the 3rd a two out single by Mel Roch & a Tony Gonzales double made it 4-2 Phillies. Oldis added an RBI single & the Mets were down 5-2.  ...

In July of 1973 there still wasn't much going right for the New York Mets. Injuries to the starting players were killing them. The teams biggest HR hitter hamstring injury. Catcher Jerry Grote was out with a wrist injury. Shortstop Bud Harrelson had hurt his left hand when the Reds Bill Plummer crashed into him trying to break up a double play. He missed almost all of June then went down again with a fractured sternum after crashing into Rennie Stennett of the Pirates at the end of July. Left Fielder Cleon Jones suffered a wrist injury diving for a ball & then in June was placed on the DL after he was hit in the elbow with a pitch. Willie Mays was showing his age in center field, he could not be in the lineup on a steady basis. George the Stork Theodore suffered an eye injury when he was hit with a ball in June, then he had the brutal outfield collision with Don Hahn fracturing his hip. Jon Matlack missed a small amount of time after getting hit in the head with a line driv...

Monday July 25th, 1994: Dallas Green's fourth place Mets (45-52) went to St. Louis to take on Joe Torre's fourth place Cardinals (46-51). The Mets Bret Saberhagen had one of his best nights as a Mets pitcher, pitching a one run, seven hitter striking out five Cardinals. The Mets offense came through with seven runs, led by Rico Brogna's big five hit night.   Brogna got a late start to the 1994 season, as injuries kept him out until mid June.  At this point of the season, he went on a hot streak starting a 15 game hit streak where he would gather 25 hits, raising his average to .372.  In this game, Brogna would start out with base hits in the 2nd inning & 4th innings. In the Mets five run 5th inning, Todd Hundley walked to lead off. Jeromy Burnitz then hit a one out single. Jeff Kent also singled bringing in the Mets first run. Brogna then doubled bringing home two runs. Rico scored on David Segui's single & Ryan Thompson followed with a ground rule doubl...

Leo Ernest Durocher was born on July 27, 1905, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. His father George worked for the Boston & Albany Railroad Co.  He & his wife Clarinda had Leo & three older sons. The family was French Canadian& often spoke French in the household. As a boy he began to play pool & started hustling for money. He was also a good athlete & became a local star baseball player. The fiery kid caught the eye of a scout & the second baseman / shortstop made his was signed by the AL New York team. In 1925 he made his MLB debut with New York team as a teammate of Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig. Leo, didn't get along with the top players as he talked & antagonized them nonstop. He lived extravagantly,  dressing in expensive clothes & going to fine establishments. Leo loved the nightlife & was known to stayed out late even passed team curfews.  Manager Miller Huggins loved the passion & competitiveness in Durocher & ...