The Mets have been around for 52 years, and they have had a lot to celebrate. They won the World Series twice and the National League pennant four times. But there is more to celebrate than just that, especially on a day like today. Although it may seem like an average day, the Mets have had some good luck on May 7th.
May 7, 1972
The first big moment occurred on May 7, 1972, ten years after the Mets were born. When Yogi Berra was managing the Mets, they took on manager Don Zimmer and the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium. In the first inning of the game, the Padres scored a run, and took a 1-0 lead. They carried this lead into the eighth inning, by which they held a 6-0 lead over the Mets. But the Mets were not done yet. In the bottom of the eighth, the Mets rallied to score five runs and make it a one run game, and then tied up the game in the ninth. This sent the game into extra-innings, and in the bottom of the 10th, the Mets scored two runs on a two out, two run homerun by center fielder Tommie Agee. This was a major victory for the Mets, and gave them their 12th win of what ended up being an 83-73 season.
May 7, 1980
On May 5 and May 6, 1980, the Mets and Reds played two consecutive extra-inning games. On May 7, they played one more extra-inning game, and tied the National League record by doing so. After splitting the series 1-1, the Reds looked like they were going to win the rubber match in the bottom of the ninth, but the Mets were able to score one more run. The game last three more innings, but the Reds were able to score two runs to beat the Mets. This was Joe Torre and the Mets’ 16th loss of the season, and put the club eight games under .500. The Mets never truly recovered from the loss, and went on to have a record of 67-95.
May 7, 1985
On May 7, 1985, the Mets took on their rival Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium. This game was just looking like a normal regular season game, but what was to come was a big deal. Howard Johnson was starting the game in third base for the Mets, and had not hit a homerun with the team all season. But in the bottom of the sixth, his homerless streak would be no more. With the Mets down 1-0, and two outs with nobody on in the inning, Johnson stepped up to the plate and slammed a solo shot. This was not only his first homerun with the Mets, but also his first homerun while wearing a National League team’s uniform. This was the first of 11 homeruns Johnson hit that season, and the first of 185 total homeruns he hit as a member of the New York Mets.
May 7, 1993
In 1984, Dwight Gooden broke into the major leagues as a rookie phenomenon. He pitched 218.0 innings, with 17 wins and a sub three ERA. But fast forward to 1993, and Gooden had still yet to pitch a complete game shutout. However, he eventually pitched one, which brings us to May 7. On that day, the Mets were taking on the newly formed Florida Marlins. Going into the game, Gooden was 2-2 and the Mets were doing surprisingly worse than the Marlins. But the tides began to turn that Friday night, as Gooden took the mound and looked better than ever. He pitched all nine innings, and allow just four hits. The Mets ended up winning the game 4-0, and Gooden got the win while Marlin’s pitcher Charlie Hough got his third loss of the season, leading him to a sub .500 record of 2-3.
May 7, 2001
2001 was a year filled with events to both remember, and forget for the city of New York. On September 11, the Twin Towers tragically fell down due to terrorist attacks. In November that same year, the Yankees blew a World Series Game Seven lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks, leaving New York with broken hearts yet again. But the Mets were definitely an upside in 2001. They did not get to far, but by the help of catcher Mike Piazza, New Yorkers were able to take their minds off of the 2001 attacks, and the Mets honored those who served and died by wearing NYPD and FDNY hats instead of their regular Mets ones. But if we rewind the clock to May 7, the Mets did yet another fantastic thing. Entering the third inning at Coors Field, the Mets already were up 2-0, but they were not done yet. In the top of the third, the Mets rallied to score a whopping seven runs to give them a 9-0 lead over the Rockies. The Mets held on and win the game 10-9 in nine innings of play, and it was the 14th win for the Mets on the season.
May 7, 2010
On May 7, 2010, the Mets took on the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. At the time, Citi was only two years old, and was a ballpark that offensive teams went to die. However, the Mets were able to hit four homeruns in the game: two by Ike Davis and two by Rod Barajas. Entering the ninth inning, the Davis had gone deep twice, Barajas once, and the Giants were down by a run. In the top of the inning, the Giants scored a run, which tied up the game. When the game entered the bottom of the ninth, Rod Barajas stepped up to the plate with one out and a runner on. Barajas then hit a ball deep to left field, and it just stayed clear of the foul pole to be a homerun. Not only did this serve as a walk-off, 6-4 win for the Mets, but it was also the first walk off homerun in the history of Citi Field.
Throughout 52 years of being a ballclub, Mets fans have had a lot to cheer about… and May 7 is no different. In 52 years, the Mets have done more on May 7 than anyone could even imagine. It truly is a day filled with milestones, and one that is not to be forgotten. Sure, there are other exciting and important days as well, but for now, let’s focus on today and what greatness it bestows for us fans.
Nice memories!