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Amazin! Mets 6 Run 11th Takes Series!



By Mike Silva ~ October 30th, 2008. Filed under: 1969 Mets vs. 1978 Yankees.

Out of all the unpredictable turns this series has taken, Game 6 may have taken the cake. After all, who could have predicted Lou Piniella losing Buddy Harrelson’s triple in the lights? A total meltdown by Goose Gossage? And the Mets offense exploding at just the right time? All that came into play during the 11th inning as the Mets would score six runs, off of four Yankees pitchers, to clinch the series with a 8-2 victory.

The game’s first 10 innings would be highlighted by big hits and great pitching. The Mets would strike first against Ed Figueroa with two runs in the second inning. Art Shamsky quieted the raucous Yankee Stadium crowd by hitting his first homer of the series into the “black”. Three batters later Ed Kranepool would drive home Don Clendenon with a sacrifice fly.

Jerry Koosman would hold down the Yankees, with a little help from Tommy Agee. Graig Nettles thought he had cut the lead in half with a solo homer in the fifth. That is, until Agee jumped over the center field fence to rob him. Nettles would have another chance in the seventh, with one on and one out, he would “poke” an opposite field fly just out of Cleon Jones reach into the left field seats.

The game would remain tied as neither starter would budge. That’s when in true 1969 fashion the Yankee Stadium lights would factor into play. A liner by Buddy Harrelson right at Lou Piniella would just fall out of his reach. Harrelson would wind up at third and the flood gates would be opened. Bob Lemon would summon Goose Gossage, but it was too late, as Agee gave them the lead on a fielder’s choice ground out. What happened next left the Yankees crowd in stunned silence. A walk, hit batsman, and four hits would score another five runs. Gossage, Lyle, and Tidrow all had no answers for the Mets “mighty” offense.

After the game a distraught Bob Lemon said the Mets “were the hungriest team he has ever seen”. Thurman Munson even thought they were more resilient then some of those Kansas City teams they had faced in the last seventies. A jubilant Mets clubhouse celebrated on sacred Yankees ground. Not surprisingly George Steinbrenner said “no comment”. Sources said a written missive will be sent to the press in the days to come.

Jerry Koosman was named series MVP with his 2-0 record and 1.42 ERA.

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Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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2 Responses to Amazin! Mets 6 Run 11th Takes Series!

  1. Amazin! Mets 6 Run 11th Takes Series! | London & New York city arrivals

    [...] series with a 8-2 victory. The game’s first 10 innings would be highlighted by big hits and great Go to source Blogs about New [...]

  2. Kevin C

    Good pitching always defeats good hitting. With the starting pitching of the Mets in 69, they would be tough to beat with any of the all-time great teams. The Yankees staff was just not as strong as the Mets

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