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This is the 40-year anniversary of the Amazing Mets of '69. I listened to a lot of games that summer as they overcame the big lead held by the Cubs in August. Some say the Cubs lost because Leo Durocher wore out the pitching staff, but I believe that if the Cubs had won 110 games the Mets would have managed to win 111. It was just meant to be. In postseason they beat the Braves three straight and then defeated a superior Oriole club in 5 games. On the Mets' roster was a 22-year-old reliever named Nolan Ryan who got a save in the pivotal Game 3. It would be his only World Series appearance.
The Mets had a solid pitching staff and a potent lineup. They won because they had the most talent.
They had great pitching including eventual HOFers Seaver and Ryan, but their offense was anemic. The Cubs lineup included Banks, Williams and Santo. They had Fergie Jenkins and Ken Holtzman starting and had a team ERA of 3.34. The Mets' was 2.99. If that season could be replayed I'd pick the Cubs.
They had great pitching including eventual HOFers Seaver and Ryan, but their offense was anemic. The Cubs lineup included Banks, Williams and Santo. They had Fergie Jenkins and Ken Holtzman starting and had a team ERA of 3.34. The Mets' was 2.99. If that season could be replayed I'd pick the Cubs.
The Cubs were good, too, but I thought the Mets had a lineup like the Phillies and Yankees do now. Everyone could hurt the opponent, either with power or speed. Swoboda, Jones and Kranepool had power, plus Jones and Agee had great speed. I think the Cubs were better defensively; they had the best double play combo in the league at that time with Kessinger and Beckett.
The Cubs were good, too, but I thought the Mets had a lineup like the Phillies and Yankees do now. Everyone could hurt the opponent, either with power or speed. Swoboda, Jones and Kranepool had power, plus Jones and Agee had great speed. I think the Cubs were better defensively; they had the best double play combo in the league at that time with Kessinger and Beckett.
Agee had 26 HRs which equalled the total of any other two hitters on a team that hit only 109 HRs (not much like today's Phils or Yanks). They stole only 66 bases and were caught 43 times. Not much speed either. The club batted .242, the fourth lowest in a 12-team league. I stand by the "anemic" statement.
Agee had 26 HRs which equalled the total of any other two hitters on a team that hit only 109 HRs (not much like today's Phils or Yanks). They stole only 66 bases and were caught 43 times. Not much speed either. The club batted .242, the fourth lowest in a 12-team league. I stand by the "anemic" statement.
I tried to agree with you, Ridgerunner, and compliment the Mets in the process. Being from Philly saying anything good about a New York team could get me tarred, feathered and tossed out of PA. For some reason you turned this into a debate, which was not my intention.
MLB Network has been playing reruns of the '69 World Series...I've been flipping over to it during commercials during the series. Probably a good option for Mets fans since they probably want to vomit watching a Phillies-Yankees World Series.
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