National League Standings, April 5, 1983
METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE APRIL 5, 1983 GAME:
Wild Dave
July 14, 2000
I used to go to the Mets home opener every year. In 1983, there were some ominous weather forecasts, but on the morning of the game the sky was bright blue over Manhattan. I was very relieved, because this was an Opening Day that I was especially looking forward to. It was the day that Tom Seaver returned to the Mets after 5½ years in Cincinnati.
It was a duel of future Hall of Famers. Steve Carlton was pitching for the Phillies. And Pete Rose was in the starting lineup for the Phils as well. I remember when Seaver came in from the bullpen to start the game, the crowd was going absolutely wild. I had field level seats on the first base side, and Seaver jogged right past me. He didn't acknowledge the crowd. He was focused, as he always was, on the game ahead of him. He didn't give up a run in the game, but he was no longer in the game when the winning run scored, so a then-obscure pitcher named Doug Sisk ended up getting the win. It was a great day at Shea. Too bad Seaver's return only lasted one season.
Don Jerue
September 11, 2002
I remember being a senior in high school and my friend, Eric and I cut class and went to the game. We had to buy general admission tickets and sat in the upper deck. I still remember the huge Welcome Home, Tom! banner. What a great day!
Russ E
March 25, 2003
This was Tom Seaver's return to the Mets. I was in the Mezzanine level out in left field. When Seaver walked from the bullpen to the dugout through rightfield after warming up, the stadium erupted like I had never heard before. That moment is in my top three Mets moments. Then.. when he struck out Pete Rose to start the game...you just had to be there.
Don L
November 10, 2003
What a glorious day. The weather was beautiful and it was a chance for all of us to feel like kids again having Tom Seaver start on Opening Day. And no movie could have had a better script than to have Seaver fan Rose (swinging) to start the game.
Joe P.
November 18, 2004
Just a young teen at the time, I was sitting down the right field line in pretty good seats. Neil Allen threw a batting practice ball to us in the stands, and my friend James caught it. When Seaver walked in from the bullpen, we went wild. Great day for baseball, and a Mets win. What a game to be at for a kid- Seaver's return, Carlton going for the Phils, and numerous 'Rose Sucks' chants from the crowd in the honor of Buddy H.
Anthony las vegas via Ozone Park
July 12, 2005
I was at the game and remember Seaver walking from the pen to the dugout and the crowd going wild and the "Rose Blows" chants. I also recall Mike Schmidt getting hurt running to first that afternoon.
Tom Quinn
June 3, 2008
The Franchise came home at last!! I was way out in right in the field boxes. When Seaver walked in from the bullpen it sent chills up my spine. The place went nuts, obviously, and no one felt the cold. The only topper would have been for Seaver to get the W, which went to Dangerous Doug Sisk instead (although, to be fair, Mr. Sisk had not yet earned the wrath of the Shea faithful and pitched well for two years).
O. B. White
August 28, 2020
Tom Seaver's return to the Mets in this game was a little reminiscent of his first appearance as a rookie. He pitched six innings and got a no-decision in a victory over the Phillies with the pitcher of record being reliever Doug Sisk. In Seaver's debut back in 1967, he also lasted into the sixth inning of a Mets victory with the win going to someone out of the bullpen. Chuck Estrada was the beneficiary as the Mets defeated the Pirates that day. The win for Sisk here was his first one as a major leaguer. For Estrada, it was his final major league win that he got when he took over for Tom in the game from sixteen years earlier. Also, both games were played at Shea Stadium against Pennsylvania-based teams. It was quite a case of deja vu with Seaver reaching the top of the sixth and relief pitchers getting the first and last wins of their own respective careers.
Oh, and let's not forget about Mike Howard! He got the run-scoring single that put the Mets ahead to stay. This turned out to be Howard's final major league game.
Daniel Doria
September 10, 2020
Born in Easton, Pa as was Frank Pulli the umpire. Got a call from a friend he had two tickets for opening day at Shea. He said don't worry about money, as long as we get Frank to the game on time we're good. I was like what? I never met Frank before but as I remember the car ride and conversation on the way up to New York and back it was like talking to your uncle. What a great guy. Frank got us parking right next to the stadium and seats behind home plate! I'll never forget that! Thanks to my good friend Dave and Frank.
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