Hot Rod Christmas Cards

1969 World Series
Getting there

New York Mets

The New York Mets, who had never finished higher than ninth place (next to last), or won over 73 games in a season since joining the NHL in 1962, have not been very enjoyed before the 1969 season began. In fact, the best that can be said for them was only because the National League was split into two divisions this year, the Mets were guaranteed to finish no lower than sixth. The fact that the Mets began the season by losing to the Montreal Expos in 1110, and expansion seems to confirm this hypothesis. With three weeks of the season, the Mets stormed past outsider the Chicago Cubs, who led the Eastern Division for most of the season, winning 38 of their final 49 games for a total of 100 victories and capturing the first National League Eastern Division crown. Third-year pitcher Tom Seaver won a major league leading 25 games en route to his first Cy Young award, the other two pitchers the Mets starting over, Jerry Koosman and Gary Gentry rookie, combined to win 30 more games. Cleon Jones outfielder hit a (then) club-record .340 and finished third in the race for the National League batting, while his friend and companion of Tommie Agee outfield hit 26 homers and 76 runs produced to direct the club, they were the only players on the team that has won more than 400 at-bats. Manager Gil Hodges used a bunch of clever is not unlike the Yankees Casey Stengel era, in which Ron Swoboda and Art Shamsky become a right fielder who hit switch hit 23 homers and 100 runs produced, and Ed Kranepool and Donn Clendenon added up to a pass-baseman hit the first 23 channels reaching more and hit another 95 tracks. Everyone on the bench knew what his role in platoonobody felt they had lost their jobs. Almost a man, the Mets of 1969 were united in their praise of the talent of their manager. In the first series championship, the Mets of the light striking outsider examined again (even if the Mets actually had a better record than the Braves), put on an unusual display of power by scoring 27 runs in sweeping the Braves Atlanta favored in three games.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles, however, were almost flawless and stars in almost every position. They easily to the 1969 season, winning 109 games (up to 1998, most games won since the advent of division play) and sweeping the Minnesota Twins in three games in the ALCS to win their second pennant in four years. The Orioles were led by star hitters Robinson, Boog Powell and Frank, who each hit over 30 homers and drove in 100 runs, third baseman Brooks Robinson, perhaps the best hot commissioning corner player in baseball history, and pitchers Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally and Jim Palmer, who combined for 63 victories. It was felt that the face of such statistical comparisons, only the bravest player would put money on the Mets.

Summary

NL New York Mets (4) vs. AL Baltimore Orioles (1)

Game

Date

Score

Place

Time

Participation

1

October 11

New York Mets 1, Orioles 4

Memorial Stadium

2:13

50429

2

October 12

New York Mets 2, Baltimore Orioles a

Memorial Stadium

2:20

50850

3

October 14

Baltimore Orioles 0, Mets 5

Shea Stadium

2:23

56335

4

October 15

Baltimore Orioles 1, Mets 2 (10 innings)

Shea Stadium

2:33

57367

5

October 16

Baltimore Orioles 3, New York Mets 5

Shea Stadium

2:14

5.