Remembering a New York Mets-Chicago Cubs Doubleheader 39 Years Later

It was early in the 1973 season. I was at my friend’s house for lunch, after which we would visit the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, N.Y. for dinner.

The New York Mets were playing a doubleheader at Shea Stadium against the Chicago Cubs, the team that they caught and passed for the pennant during the miracle year of 1969.

Jerry Koosman started against Cubs ace Rick Reuschel.  Jerry Grote singled home the eventual game-winning run in the fourth inning as Koosman went the distance in a 3-1 win.

After the first game ended, we drove from Flushing to the Milleridge Inn with the second game on the car radio. By the time we reached our destination, the Cubs, behind Burt Hooten, were leading by a score of five to nothing.

Mets starter Jim McAndrew—who was a pretty good pitcher overshadowed by Koosman, Tom Seaver, Jon Matlack and, of course, Tug McGraw—was blasted for five first-inning runs.  The only hitters that McAndrew retired that day were Joe Pepitone and Ken Rudolph.

Usually, I took my small orange Panasonic radio, which I still listen to 39 year later, with me, but considering the circumstances, I thought there was little chance of a miracle that day. I was right, as Hooten shut out the Mets 7-0.

The Mets finished the day, Apr. 19, with a 6-5 record, two-and-a-half games behind the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates. It seemed as if it would be another pedestrian season for the Mets and it was—until September.

Many of the regulars, including shortstop Bud Harrelson, catcher Jerry Grote and left fielder Cleon Jones, returned from injuries. In July, McGraw had told everyone that they had to believe. They did.

The Mets, in last place on Aug. 30, like a teacher that is being paid based on the number of students that pass her class, passed everyone to win the division.

It was almost impossible to see it coming on Apr. 19 after the Mets split the two games with the Cubs, but that Mets team was dangerous because they had great pitching.

I felt that their biggest problem was getting to the playoffs. It didn’t surprise me that once they made it, they came within one game of becoming 1973 world champions.