RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The New York Mets faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, September 23, 1970, at Connie Mack Stadium. The Mets, who had won the World Series in the previous season, were looking to regain their championship form, while the Phillies were in the midst of a rebuilding phase. On the mound for the Mets was Ray Sadecki, a seasoned left-hander who had been acquired from the San Francisco Giants in 1969. For the Phillies, Chris Short, a reliable veteran and two-time All-Star, took the start. This was a time when the league was witnessing a surge in offensive power, marked by an increase in home runs and batting averages.
The game kicked off with a back-and-forth between the two teams. The Phillies drew first blood in the first inning, capitalizing on a Mets' error. The Mets responded in the third inning to even the score. However, the Phillies took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning, thanks to a two-run homer by Larry Hisle. The Mets clawed back in the sixth inning, tying the game at 3-3, only for the Phillies to regain the lead in the bottom half. The Mets' batters, however, were undeterred. In the eighth inning, Donn Clendenon hit a two-run homer, giving the Mets a lead they would not relinquish.
In the end, the Mets emerged victorious with a 5-4 win. The game was notable for its pitching changes, with the Mets using five pitchers and the Phillies three. Tug McGraw, who would later become a Phillies legend, earned the win for the Mets, while Dick Selma took the loss for the Phillies. Clendenon was the offensive star of the game, with his eighth-inning home run proving to be the game-winner.
The 1970 season was a mixed bag for both teams. The Mets, despite their victory in this game, could not replicate their championship run from the previous year, finishing in third place in the National League East. The Phillies, on the other hand, ended up in the cellar of the same division. However, this season marked the beginning of their slow climb to their first World Series title in 1980. As for the league, the season was dominated by the Cincinnati Reds, who won the National League pennant, and the Baltimore Orioles, who won the World Series. The 1970 season also saw Johnny Bench of the Reds and Boog Powell of the Orioles winning the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues.
The 1967 baseball season witnessed intriguing developments for the New York Mets and the Houston...
New York Mets vs Houston Astros - Radio Broadcast / The 1967 baseball season witnessed intriguing developments for the New York Mets and the Houston Astros, two teams striving to find their footing in the competitive National League. As August rolled around, both teams were seeking to make a push for the playoffs.
For the New York Mets, the season marked a step forward in their relatively young history. In August, they showcased resilience and improvement, with standout performances from key players like Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, bolstering their pitching rotation. This revitalized pitching staff allowed the Mets to put up a stronger fight against their opponents and compete more convincingly. While their offensive capabilities still needed refinement, the Mets' progress throughout August was a promising sign for their future as a competitive force in the league.
On the other hand, the Houston Astros had a mixed experience in August. The team boasted strong pitching, thanks to the likes of Mike Cuellar and Don Wilson, who demonstrated their skills on the mound. However, the Astros encountered some challenges in their offensive lineup, resulting in a fluctuating performance during the month. Despite the hurdles, their overall performance showcased glimpses of potential, hinting at their ability to contend in the future.
As the season approached its conclusion, the New York Mets and the Houston Astros had both made strides to improve and prove their mettle on the baseball field. While the Mets demonstrated progress in their pitching department and resilience as a young team, the Astros showcased solid pitching talent but needed to address their offensive inconsistencies. The season rivalry between the two teams during August emphasized the competitive spirit and the determination to carve a path toward greater success in the future.
In the 1967 season, both the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves showcased considerable performance. The...
Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets - Radio Broadcast / In the 1967 season, both the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves showcased considerable performance. The Cubs, though talented, had a challenging season, ending 5th in the NL with a 87-74 record. Their inconsistency hindered a promising start, and they missed the postseason. Players like Ernie Banks and Ron Santo contributed solid performances, but the team's overall lack of depth was apparent.
Contrastingly, the Braves had a more successful year, finishing 7th in the NL with a 77-85 record. Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro were instrumental, with Aaron hitting .307 with 39 home runs and Niekro posting an ERA of 1.87. However, despite these individual achievements, the Braves couldn't secure a postseason berth, as they struggled with inconsistent pitching and defense.
In a captivating showdown at Shea Stadium on June 26, 1967, the New York Mets...
New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Full Game Radio Broadcast / In a captivating showdown at Shea Stadium on June 26, 1967, the New York Mets faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a night game that promised excitement. The Mets, with Bob Shaw on the mound, were looking to make a mark in their relatively young franchise history. The Pirates, with Steve Blass as their starting pitcher, were also eyeing victory. The game took place amid a season filled with its own narratives, including Roberto Clemente's stellar performance and the Mets' ongoing efforts to climb up from their expansion team struggles.
The game unfolded with a tense pitchers' duel, as both Shaw and Blass held the line through the early innings. The Pirates managed to break through first, with a run in the third inning, followed by a solo home run by Bill Mazeroski in the seventh. The Mets, however, kept the game within reach, showcasing resilience in their batting lineup. The real turning point came in the eighth inning when Ken Boyer hit a crucial two-run homer for the Mets, leveling the score. This set the stage for a dramatic ninth inning, where the Mets seized their opportunity to clinch a narrow victory.
The final score, Mets 3, Pirates 2, was a testament to the competitive nature of the 1967 season. This game, while just a single chapter in the long baseball season, was indicative of the Mets' fighting spirit and the Pirates' formidable play, reflective of Clemente's impressive season performance. As the season progressed, both teams continued to contribute to the rich tapestry of the 1967 baseball season, a year remembered for its close pennant races and memorable individual performances.
On June 3, 1965, the New York Mets faced the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field....
1965 New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Radio Broadcast / On June 3, 1965, the New York Mets faced the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. The Mets, struggling in the bottom half of the National League standings, were looking to gain some momentum mid-season. Starting for the Mets was Galen Cisco, aiming to improve his record, while Pittsburgh's starting pitcher was Joe Gibbon, who had yet to secure a win this season. The Pirates, featuring star players like Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell, were in contention for a strong finish and were looking to close the gap with the league leaders.
The game began slowly, with both teams held scoreless through the first two innings. The Mets broke through in the third inning, with Galen Cisco contributing both on the mound and at the plate. The fourth inning proved pivotal for New York, as they exploded for six runs, capitalizing on pitching struggles by Pittsburgh. Ed Kranepool and Joe Christopher led the charge with timely hits. The Pirates remained scoreless until a dramatic eighth inning, when Willie Stargell and Jerry Lynch each hit home runs to fuel a six-run rally, narrowing the gap significantly.
Despite the late surge by the Pirates, the Mets held on for an 8-6 victory. Cisco earned his first win of the season, and Dennis Ribant secured the save. For the Mets, the win was a small bright spot in a challenging season. The Pirates, despite the loss, continued to be competitive and had their sights set on the postseason, with Clemente and Stargell both having standout seasons.
