Trying to wrap my head around those stats.
Quote:
The '69 Mets were something to behold.
As luck would have it, I was a baseball playing little-leaguer living at McGuire AFB, NJ, in 68-69 and got to ride up on USAF buses for a few games in '69. I do not recall seeing Seaver pitch, but the coolness of being at Shea was great. Even up in the cheap seats, the sight lines were very good.
I wish I could google the exact game there, a game between the Mets and Giants, but I did see Willie Mays hit a HR and Willie McCovey launch 2 HRs into outer space. What a swing that man had.
I know we moved in August, so I was not there for the late season heroics, but I can at least say I saw the '69 Mets at Shea a few times.
And this was the summer I sat in front of the TV and watched the exploits of Apollo 11.
During that time frame (68-69), I got to go to Yankee Stadium, too. I remember being basically surrounded by AF Airmen on the walk to the stadium - I understand that was a pretty dangerous neighborhood back then, especially at night. I can still recall walking down to my seat at Yankee Stadium and seeing it open up to the green grass. I was in awe. I even saw Mickey Mantle out on the field - I think '68 was his last year. And what a dump Yankee Stadium was in 1968.
Speaking of dumps, I also got to go to a few games at old Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. To call Connie Mack a dump is an insult to dumps. It was a third world ghetto experience, but still fun for a 10 year old. This was the summer of the King and Kennedy assassinations, and I remember being on the blue AF bus near the stadium and all of a sudden, getting pelted with rocks. Some AF guy had me on the floor and was covering me from glass shards. Fun times.
I remember seeing Roger Maris out in right field when Philly was playing the visiting Cardinals. This was the St Louis team that lost in 7 games in the WS. This was a St Louis team with Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Tim McCarver, Orlando Cepeda, Curt Flood, and Lou Brock.
Anyways, I know I did see Seaver in person pitch when he was with the Reds. Seaver and Bench. Very cool.
Bret Baier just ran a piece on Fox News on Tom. A quote from Seaver - "There is first place, and no place."
RIP.
(I know I'm rambling, but just remembering some good times.)