METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE OCTOBER 15, 1969 GAME:
Mike Dolitsky
August 5, 2001
This was the game that ended on J.C. Martin's bunt, with Rod Gaspar coming around to score the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Seaver pitched a 10-inning complete game. If it happened today, even a pitcher as great as Seaver probably wouldn't have gone all 10.
Lee
March 10, 2006
It was fitting that this game ended on a bunt, as the Mets relied a lot on small ball in 1969. I also think Ron Swoboda made his incredible catch in this game (correct me if I'm wrong). Ron Swoboda wasn't really a great outfielder but that catch was one of the most incredible catches I've ever seen to this day. Watching the replay of him flying so low to the ground, I can't tell if he's Ron Swoboda or Superman or Michael Vick.
Tom Quinn
August 5, 2007
This game is the defintive answer to the question of who was better: Seaver or Clemens. Seaver goes 10 and gets the W. That's why Seaver was "The Franchise". Swoboda's catch was unbelievable, especially to him. He was the most surprised person at Shea that he made that catch. A wink, a nod and a smile as to whether or not JC Martin was in fair territory when he was hit with the throw that allowed "Ron" Gaspar, who pinch ran for Grote, to score the winner from second.
J
July 27, 2012
Martin was clearly out of his lane and into fair territory when the throw struck him. But umpires only call that play when the runner is intentionally trying to interfere with the throw or is grossly out of the lane, which he wasn't. Besides any catcher will tell you when you make that throw you have to anticipate the runner to cheat a little to the inside - which Hendricks did not.
Sixty-Niner
February 15, 2013
J, the throw to which you refer was made by Orioles pitcher Pete Richert, not Elrod Hendricks. Martin was pinch-hitting for Tom Seaver when he put down the bunt. Richert picked up the ball and threw it to first, but it hit J. C. on the wrist and rolled away. Rod Gaspar, who was pinch-running for Jerry Grote, scored all the way from second on the play. It was Martin's only World Series appearance of his 14-year career.
Raymond Malcuit Jr.
March 19, 2016
I remember my mother let me stay home from school so I could watch the game.
Roger L.
April 25, 2016
I remember sitting up high in the upper
deck with the wind blowing at our back.
Very cold, but very confident in the Mets
and not at all surprised that they won.
Ed V
August 9, 2024
I remember reading Frank Robinson calling Gaspar Rod Stupid in jest after they swept the Twinkies. Like Felix Unger said La Fortsa De Destino !
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