National League Standings, July 23, 1971
METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE JULY 23, 1971 GAME:
Dave VW
November 19, 2024
The Mets continue their July freefall, losing for the 17th time in 21 games. Their only run is scored when Don Wilson, still suffering from the aftereffects of getting plunked on the hand by a Nolan Ryan pitch the previous half inning, walked 4 of the first 5 he faced in the 4th to force in a run. Other than that, the Mets had just 3 hits. They've now fallen 13.5 games in back of 1st in the NL East, whereas they began the month just 2 games back.
As crazy as it may sound, this was actually Ryan's final career appearance against the Astros. He never faced them as a member of the American League Angels or Rangers, and was obviously a member of the Astros from 1980-88. So though he pitched for 22 more seasons after getting traded off the Mets after 1971, this was his last time facing Houston. He probably didn't mind, either, as his career record vs. the Astros was 3-7 with a 5.62 ERA. The Orioles had the next highest career ERA vs. Ryan at 4.21.
Wilson tossed a complete game win for Houston. I did some research into his career and, aside from learning he was one of the better NL starters at the time, saw he died young at the age of 29 prior to the 1975 season. The circumstances surrounding his death are still unsettled to this day, as he was found in his car with the engine running inside his garage with a BAC over 0.16, apparently succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning. Tragically, his 5-year-old son was asleep in the room above the garage and also died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. In remembrance, the Astros retired his #40 in 1975 and no one for the franchise has worn it since.
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