The message popped up in my queue. Fifty years. Bill Wakefield lives near his alma mater, Stanford, and is well aware that Saturday is the 50th anniversary of the epic 23-inning nightcap he started for the Mets. Some of us are lucky enough to remember the game. I woke up that morning in Kansas City, covered the Yankees’ game, 46-minute rain delay and all, flew back to LaGuardia on the Yankees’ charter, saw the game still going on in Shea, was met by my wife, and we watched the last 9-10 innings at my family’s home in Queens. You couldn’t not watch. The box score (below) says Wakefield started the second game (he was quite a good reliever most of that season, his only in the majors) and lasted two innings. Craig Anderson then came in and gave up four runs. I’m going to send him an e-mail and ask his memories of the day. Wakefield has told me that as the game went on (and on, and on) Casey Stengel tried to send him into the game. Since Wake had already pitched, that would not have been a good idea. So he dressed and went into the stands. Some players had even shorter games. Ken McKenzie, an original Met, faced one batter in the seventh, gave up a hit, and was yanked by Alvin Dark. Duke Snider, ex-Dodger, ex-Met, pinch-hit and had to sit around for hours. Willie McCovey pinch-hit, and sat. Galen Cisco pitched a complete game, 9 innings, for the Mets and lost, finally. Gaylord Perry pitched 10 innings and was the winning pitcher. The box score is wonderful. Back in the day, pitchers were pitchers, men were men, nobody had heard of Tommy John and his elbow. I love the names – Jesse Gonder, Joe Christopher (he’s around somewhere), oldies like Tom Sturdivant and Frank Lary, and Wakefield’s good pal, the late Hot Rod Kanehl. Oh, and check out who played shortstop for the Giants for a while during that game. ADDENDUM ON SATURDAY: Just to warm up for the anniversary, the Mets played 14 on Friday night (and lost, but you already know that, after a muffed fly ball.) THIS JUST IN FROM CRAIG ANDERSON, ORIGINAL MET: "Yes , how well I remember that memorable day although not the type of memories i will cherish. I am glad to be in a record-making doubleheader and I even saw my name in Cooperstown when this box score was displayed up there. I had pitched pretty well since being called up on May 1st but after this outing I was sent to Buffalo, thus my last day in the big leagues. Never to be called up again or invited to spring training. "My only out was a ground ball fielder's choice hit by Willie Mays. I sat in the stands for about 8 hours and can't say it was enjoyable to me." * * * Your memories and reactions are welcome in the Comments (below) Meanwhile, the great Ed Lucas tells his memories: http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2014/05/lucas_50_years_later_mets-gian.html Nice web site with other people’s memories: http://www.ultimatemets.com/gamedetail.php?gameno=369&tabno=B Yankee game. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1964/B05310KC11964.htm First game. Normal 9 innings. Normal Met loss. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1964/B05311NYN1964.htm Second game. Not normal. 23 innings. Normal Met loss. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1964/B05312NYN1964.htm
Mendel
5/30/2014 04:42:18 am
My father was there with my uncle all day. From batting practice throughout. I grew up hearing of Willie Mays playing shortstop (for 10 innings?) and the Brothers Aleu patrolling the grass. After the final out, my grandfather, who had gone to the World’s Fair, was waiting for them on the IRT platform. He had come to fetch them when they failed to return home.
Bill Wakefield
6/1/2014 09:58:55 am
George –
Mendel
6/1/2014 10:46:03 am
Evidently my father’s memory is faulty. The Alou brothers all took the field for the first time on 9-15-63 and not 5-31-64.
Andy Tansey
6/2/2014 12:05:19 am
Even for a traumatized 10-year-old (in 1969) Yankees' fan from Whitestone, this is very heartwarming. I do not remember these games, but it all resonates with the folksy feel of Shea and the Mets. We used to get in to weekday day games for free with Borden milk carton coupons. This article and site are great connections to many sentiments. But what's an "IRT"? Not as many know these days.
George Vecsey
6/2/2014 01:05:26 am
Thank you all for the comments. The Mets surely worked overtime this past weekend to commemorate the great event. 7/4/2014 03:29:32 am
I woke up in which morning hours throughout Kansas City, protected the Yankees’ activity, 46-minute rainfall hold up along with just about all, travelled time for LaGuardia around the Yankees’ charter, saw the experience however happening throughout Shea, has been attained through my lady, along with most of us watched one more 9-10 innings at my family’s house throughout A queen. Anyone couldn’t not necessarily enjoy.
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