I've been rather rude to the Mets in this project. Most team sets I've made have been mostly pennant winners if not World Series champions, but for the Mets, I took the time to highlight their God awful expansion season of 1962. But as rare as they are, the Mets had the ability to put a winner together from time to time and they usually are memorable like the '73 "Ya Gotta Believe" run, the '86 team that won off Bill Bucker's error or the 2000 edition that made the Subway Series, but only one iteration of the youngest NY team was dubbed as the "Miracle Mets."
In the 7 seasons between their creation and 1968, the Mets never had a winning record and could only dream of having a pennant winning level of players. For '69, the baseball landscape was shifting with the introduction of divisions and a playoff series before the World Series. The Mets were expected to improve, but no one expected them to dominate. Manager Gil Hodges led his squad to a 100-62 record, a comfortable 8 games better than the Cubs who suffered a late season spiral.
If this were any other prior season, the Mets would automatically be in the World Series, but this year it was only good enough to clinch the NL East division. Out of the West came the 93 win Atlanta Braves for the first ever NLCS. The Amazin' Mets handled business, however, and swept away the Braves in 3 games. It was only a slight delay for the unlikely pennant winners.
In the World Series, the 109 win Baltimore Orioles were heavily favored to win the title. Since they began popping up at the start or the decade, no expansion team had ever reached the World Series, and now one of them was looking for more than just a participation trophy. Mike Cuellar outpitched Tom Seaver and gave the Orioles an early 1-0 lead in the series, but to the shock of baseball, it was all Mets after, sweeping the next 4 games and claiming the title in front of an ecstatic Shea Stadium crowd.
It's no coincidence that the Mets ascent to the next level happened the same season when Seaver took the next step from just another all star to future Hall of Famer as he won the Cy Young and lead baseball with 25 Wins. He also led the team with his 2.21 ERA and 208 Strikeouts. In the World Series, he lost that battle of Cy Young winners against Cuellar in Game 1, but hen they matched up again in Game 4, Seaver got the last laugh as he pitched all 10 innings of the Mets walk-off winner that put them one win away from the title.
The rotation behind Tom Terrific. Solid control all around and decent charts. The Miracle Mets did most of their winning off the backs of their pitchers. The Mets led the NL with 16 Shutouts, and Koosman was responsible for 6 of them by himself.
Not too long ago, Closers were unheard of, and here the Mets are rocking 2 of them in their bullpen. Tug McGraw is better remembered by Met fans, but Ron Taylor got more Saves in 1969 (13-12). Taylor was the Closer of choice in the postseason, getting 2 Saves, and was all but untouchable against the Braves and Orioles.
Other notable arms in the Queens bullpen. All great control, but the charts show why McGraw and Taylor were closing out the wins.
It is insane that the only time one of baseballs most prolific pitchers made it to the World Series was when he was being criminally underutilized by the Mets. I've detailed before how the Mets ultimately
traded baseballs greatest Strikeout man away, but for '69 he provided valuable innings out of the bullpen, especially in Game 3 of the World Series where he earned his only postseason Save.
Forever Met
Ed Kranepool. Holder of many Met offensive records through the end of the 20th century.
The Mets lineup wasn't particularly heavy on the offense. Cleon Jones led the team with his .340 BA while Tommy Agee was their main power guy with his 26 Home Runs (not horrible) and just 76 RBI (oof)
The bench crew. If the starters weren't exactly superstars, then these guys wouldn't be very threatening. A couple gems to use in the right situation.
Donn Clendenon had himself a wild 1969. The year began with him as a member of the Montreal Expos, being informed he had been traded to the Houston Astros. When April came and it was time to report to his new team, he refused. The Expos dealt with the awkward situation and completed the trade with other players and cash, and Clendenson started the year still in Montreal. Come June, the Expos still wanted to unload their hitter and made a deal with the Mets. Donn approved this time, and finished the season out in Queens. Come World Series time, he made all the headaches worth it as he dominated the 5 game series and hit 3 Home Runs to secure the Series MVP award.
