1969 New York Mets season explained

New York Mets
Season:	1969
Misc:	World Series Champions National League Champions National League East Champions
League:	National League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Shea Stadium
City:	Queens, New York, U.S.
Record:	100–62 (.617)
Divisional Place:	1st
Owners:	Joan Whitney Payson
General Managers:	Johnny Murphy
Managers:	Gil Hodges
Television:	WOR-TV 9 (Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner)
Radio:	WJRZ–AM 970/WABC-FM 95.5 (Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner)
Espntn:	NYM
Brtn:	NYM

The 1969 New York Mets season was the team's eighth as a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise and culminated when they won the World Series over the Baltimore Orioles. They played their home games at Shea Stadium and were managed by Gil Hodges. The team is often referred to as the "Amazin' Mets" (a nickname coined by Casey Stengel, who managed the team from their inaugural season to 1965) or the "Miracle Mets".

The 1969 season was the first season of divisional play in Major League Baseball. The Mets were assigned to the newly created National League East. In their seven previous seasons, the Mets had never finished higher than ninth place in the ten-team National League and had never had a winning season. They lost at least one hundred games in five of the seasons. However, they overcame mid-season difficulties while the division leaders for much of the season, the Chicago Cubs, suffered a late-season collapse. The Mets finished 100–62, eight games ahead of the Cubs. They went on to defeat the National League West champion Atlanta Braves three games to none in the inaugural NLCS, and defeat the American League champion Orioles in five games. First baseman Donn Clendenon was named the World Series' most valuable player on the strength of his .357 batting average, three home runs, and four runs batted in.

On Saturday, August 22, 2009, many of the surviving members of the 1969 championship team reunited at the New York Mets' present park, Citi Field.^[1]

Offseason

October 16, 1968: Sold Don Bosch to the Montreal Expos^[2]

Trades

Date	Details
December, 1968	Jerry Buchek traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jim Cosman
December 2, 1968	Drafted Wayne Garrett from the Atlanta Braves in the 1968 rule 5 draft Tommie Reynolds drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1968 rule 5 draft Juan Rios drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1968 rule 5 draft Bill Short drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1968 rule 5 draft
February 5, 1969	Greg Goossen and cash traded to the Seattle Pilots for a player to be named later. Received Jim Gosger three months later to complete the trade.

Spring training

The Mets held spring training at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the 8th season.

Regular season

The Mets had never finished higher than ninth place in a ten-team league in their first seven seasons. As an expansion team, they went 40–120 in 1962, the most losses by an MLB team in one season in the 20th century, and the 1962 Mets' .250 winning percentage was higher than only the .248 posted by the 1935 Boston Braves.

The Mets never had been over .500 after the ninth game of any season. Seven years after their disastrous inaugural season, "The Amazin' Mets" (as nicknamed by previous manager Casey Stengel) won the World Series, the first expansion team to do so.

1969 was the first year of divisional baseball, precipitated by the expansion of each league from 10 to 12 teams.^[3] The Kansas City Royals and Seattle Pilots joined the American League. The San Diego Padres and Montreal Expos joined the National League. Before 1969, the first place team in each league advanced directly to the World Series. Under the new structure, each league was divided into East and West divisions, each comprising six teams, with the divisional winners facing off in a best-of-five playoff for the right to represent their league in the World Series. The Mets were slotted into the National League Eastern Division, along with the Chicago Cubs, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates, expansion Montreal Expos, and the St. Louis Cardinals, who had been World Champions in 1964 and 1967 and losers of the 1968 World Series. For the first time since joining the National League in 1962, the Mets could finish no lower than 6th.^[4] The New York Times journalist, Joseph Durso, predicted the Mets would finish 4th in the East, ahead of the Pirates and the Expos.^[5]

On Tuesday April 8, with 44,541 fans in attendance at Shea Stadium, the Mets and the Expos played the first international baseball game in major league baseball history. The Mets had lost seven straight opening day games since joining the National League in 1962. That dubious record reached eight when the Expos prevailed in an 11–10 slugfest, despite the Mets scoring four runs with two down in the bottom of the ninth, highlighted by a pinch hit three-run homer by Duffy Dyer. Apparently, this was axiomatic Mets baseball, as one columnist described the Mets as "masters of the lingering death."^[6]

The Mets took the next two games from the Expos, but then lost six of the following 7 games, bringing their record to 3–7. After a 9–14 start, the Mets won 9 of their next 13 games, including consecutive shutouts in late April against the Cubs and Expos. When Tom Seaver shut out the Atlanta Braves 5–0 on May 21, the Mets were 18–18, their best start in franchise history. But the Mets lost their next five games, starting with a 15–3 drubbing from the Atlanta Braves, followed by a 3-game sweep by the Astros, who outscored the Mets 18–4, and finishing with a loss at Shea Stadium to the lowly Padres.^[7] At the end of play on May 27, the Mets' record stood at 18–23. Then, in late May, the Mets reeled off a club-record 11 straight wins, which included three walk-off wins and dominant pitching, as the Mets pitching staff yielded a stingy 2-runs per game. Starting with their 42nd game, the Mets went 82–39 (a .678 winning percentage), including an astonishing 38–11 in their last 49 games.^[8]

Despite that performance, the Mets suffered two mid-season three-game series sweeps at the hands of the Houston Astros, who manhandled the Mets all season, taking 10 of the 12 games the teams played.They were also no-hit by Bob Moose of the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 20, only five days after becoming the first major league team to strike out 19 times in a nine-inning game, a game they won, 4–3, on a pair of two-run home runs by Ron Swoboda, against the Cardinals' Steve Carlton.

Trailing the Chicago Cubs for much of the season, the Mets found themselves in third place, 10 games back, on August 14^[9] but they won 14 of their last 17 games during August, and 24 of their 32 games during September and October, to surge past the Cubs, finishing 100–62, eight games ahead of the Cubs. That 18 game differential - recovering from being 10 games behind the Cubs to finish 8 games ahead of them - is one of the largest turnarounds in MLB history.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

	Record	Games Left
! style="background:#002C77;" color:#fb4f14;"	Opponent !	! style="background:#002C77;" color:#fb4f14;"	Home !	! style="background:#002C77;" color:#fb4f14;"	Road !	! style="background:#002C77;" color:white;"	Total !	! style="background:#002C77;" color:#fb4f14;"	Home !	! style="background:#002C77;" color:#fb4f14;"	Road !	! style="background:#002C77;" color:#fb4f14;"	Total
width=135		width=50		width=50		width=50		width=45		width=45		width=45
NL East
	5–4	5–4	10–8	–	–	–
	7–2	6–3	13–5	–	–	–
	5–4	7–2	12–6	–	–	–
	4–5	6–3	10–8	–	–	–
	6–4	6–2	12–6	–	–	–
NL West
	4–2	4–2	8–4	–	–	–
	3–3	3–3	6–6	–	–	–
	2–4	0–6	2–10	–	–	–
	6–0	2–4	8–4	–	–	–
	5–1	6–0	11–1	–	–	–
	5–1	3–3	8–4	–	–	–
Grand Totals	52–30	48–32	100–62	–	–	–

Month	Games	Won	Lost

April	20	9	11
May	24	12	12
June	28	19	9
July	27	15	12
August	31	21	10
September	30	23	7
October	2	1	1
Totals	162	100	62

Schedule and results

Regular season

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 1 || April 8 || Expos || 10–11 || Shaw (1–0) || Koonce (0–1) || Sembera (1) || 44,541 || Shea Stadium || 0–1 || Boxscore || 4 || −1 || 2:05 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 2 || April 9 || Expos || 9–5 || McGraw (1–0) || Stoneman (0–1) || Ryan (1) || 13,827 || Shea Stadium || 1–1 || Boxscore || 3 || −1 || 2:05 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 3 || April 10 || Expos || 4–2 || Gentry (1–0) || Jaster (0–1) || Koonce (1) || 8,608 || Shea Stadium || 2–1 || Boxscore || 3 || −1 || 2:05 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 4 || April 11 || Cardinals || 5–6 || || Koosman (0–1) || || 12,591 || Shea Stadium || 2–2 || Boxscore || 3 || −2 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 5 || April 12 || Cardinals || 0–1 || || Cardwell (0–1) || || 19,510 || Shea Stadium || 2–3 || Boxscore || 3 || −2 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 6 || April 13 || Cardinals || 1–3 || || Seaver (0–1) || || 25,314 || Shea Stadium || 2–4 || Boxscore || 4 || −3 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 7 || April 14 || @ Phillies || 1–5 || || McAndrew (0–1) || || 13,070 || Connie Mack Stadium || 2–5 || Boxscore || 5 || −4 || 7:35 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 8 || April 15 || @ Phillies || 6–3 || Gentry (2–0) || || Koonce (2) || 2,880 || Connie Mack Stadium || 3–5 || Boxscore || 4 || −4 || 7:35 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 9 || April 16 || @ Pirates || 3–11 || || Koosman (0–2) || || 7,666 || Forbes Field || 3–6 || Boxscore || 5 || −5 || 8:05 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 10 || April 17 || @ Pirates || 0–4 || || Cardwell (0–2) || || 8,097 || Forbes Field || 3–7 || Boxscore || 5 || −6 || 8:05 PM EST || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || April 18 || @ Cardinals || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 1 || Busch Memorial Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | –6 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 11 || April 19 || @ Cardinals || 2–1 || Seaver (1–1) || || || 20,716 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 4–7 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 12 || April 20 || @ Cardinals || 11–3 || Ryan (1–0) || || Koonce (3) || 19,065 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 5–7 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 13 || April 21 || Phillies || 1–2
(11)|| || Taylor (0–1) || || 9,286 || Shea Stadium || 5–8 || Boxscore || 3 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || April 22 || Phillies || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 5 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | −5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 14 || April 23 || Pirates || 2–0 || Koosman (1–2) || || || 7,274 || Shea Stadium || 6–8 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || April 24 || Pirates || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 19 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | –5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 15 || April 25 || Cubs || 1–3 || Jenkins (3–1) || Seaver (1–2) || || 18,548 || Shea Stadium || 6–9 || Boxscore || 4 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 16 || April 26 || Cubs || 3–9 || || Cardwell (0–3) || || 16,252 || Shea Stadium || 6–10 || Boxscore || 5 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 17 || April 27 || Cubs || 6–8 || || Koonce (0–2) || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 6–11 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 18 || April 27 || Cubs || 3–0 || McGraw (2–0) || || || 37,437 || Shea Stadium || 7–11 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 19 || April 29 || @ Expos || 2–0 || Ryan (2–0) || || || 8,577 || Jarry Park || 8–11 || Boxscore || 3 || − || 4:05 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 20 || April 30 || @ Expos || 2–1 || Seaver (2–2) || || || 19,024 || Jarry Park || 9–11 || Boxscore || 3 || − || 8:05 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 21 || May 1 || @ Expos || 2–3 || || Cardwell (0–4) || || 7,741 || Jarry Park || 9–12 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || 4:05 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 22 || May 2 || @ Cubs || 4–6 || || Gentry (2–1) || || 14,702 || Wrigley Field || 9–13 || Boxscore || 5 || −7 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 23 || May 3 || @ Cubs || 2–3 || || Koonce (0–3) || || 23,228 || Wrigley Field || 9–14 || Boxscore || 5 || −8 || 2:15 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 24 || May 4 || @ Cubs || 3–2 || Seaver (3–2) || || || N/A || Wrigley Field || 10–14 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 25 || May 4 || @ Cubs || 3–2 || McGraw (3–0) || || || 40,484 || Wrigley Field || 11–14 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 26 || May 6 || Reds || 8–1 || Cardwell (1–4) || || || 12,291 || Shea Stadium || 12–14 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 27 || May 7 || Reds || 0–3 || || Gentry (2–2) || || 9,242 || Shea Stadium || 12–15 || Boxscore || 4 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || May 9 || Astros || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 30 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | –5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 28 || May 10 || Astros || 3–1 || Seaver (4–2) || || || 14,981 || Shea Stadium || 13–15 || Boxscore || 3 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 29 || May 11 || Astros || 1–4 || || Cardwell (1–5) || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 13–16 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 30 || May 11 || Astros || 11–7 || Koonce (1–3) || || || 19,456 || Shea Stadium || 14–16 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 31 || May 13 || Braves || 3–4 || Reed (5–1) || Gentry (2–3) || Upshaw (8) || 12,332 || Shea Stadium || 14–17 || Boxscore || 3 || −7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 32 || May 14 || Braves || 9–3 || Seaver (5–2) || Niekro (5–2) || Taylor (1) || 15,365 || Shea Stadium || 15–17 || Boxscore || 3 || −7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 33 || May 15 || Braves || 5–6 || Jarvis (3–2) || Cardwell (1–6) || Upshaw (9) || 14,370 || Shea Stadium || 15–18 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 34 || May 16 || @ Reds || 10–9 || Koonce (2–3) || || || 11,736 || Crosley Field || 16–18 || Boxscore || 3 || − || 8:05 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 35 || May 17 || @ Reds || 11–3 || Gentry (3–3) || || || 8,925 || Crosley Field || 17–18 || Boxscore || 3 || − || 8:05 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || May 18 || @ Reds || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 5 || Crosley Field || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | –6 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 36 || May 21 || @ Braves || 5–0 || Seaver (6–2) || Niekro (5–3) || || 14,669 || Atlanta Stadium || 18–18 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 37 || May 22 || @ Braves || 3–15 || Jarvis (4–2) || McGraw (3–1) || Stone (1) || 12,574 || Atlanta Stadium || 18–19 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 38 || May 23 || @ Astros || 0–7 || || Gentry (3–4) || || 10,825 || Astrodome || 18–20 || Boxscore || 4 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 39 || May 24 || @ Astros || 1–5 || || Koosman (1–3) || || 17,911 || Astrodome || 18–21 || Boxscore || 4 || − || 8:30 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 40 || May 25 || @ Astros || 3–6 || || Seaver (6–3) || || 22,716 || Astrodome || 18–22 || Boxscore || 4 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 41 || May 27 || Padres || 2–3 || || McAndrew (0–2) || || 11,772 || Shea Stadium || 18–23 || Boxscore || 4 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 42 || May 28 || Padres || 1–0
(11)|| McGraw (4–1) || || || 11,860 || Shea Stadium || 19–23 || Boxscore || 4 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 43 || May 30 || Giants || 4–3 || Seaver (7–3) || || Taylor (2) || 52,272 || Shea Stadium || 20–23 || Boxscore || 3 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 44 || May 31 || Giants || 4–2 || Gentry (4–4) || || McGraw (1) || 32,178 || Shea Stadium || 21–23 || Boxscore || 3 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||-|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 45 || June 1 || Giants || 5–4 || Taylor (1–1) || || || 41,294 || Shea Stadium || 22–23 || Boxscore || 3 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 46 || June 2 || Dodgers || 2–1 || Koosman (2–3) || || || 22,600 || Shea Stadium || 23–23 || Boxscore || 3 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 47 || June 3 || Dodgers || 5–2 || Seaver (8–3) || || McGraw (2) || 24,212 || Shea Stadium || 24–23 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 48 || June 4 || Dodgers || 1–0
(15)|| Taylor (2–1) || || || 31,331 || Shea Stadium || 25–23 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 49 || June 6 || @ Padres || 5–3 || Gentry (5–4) || || Taylor (3) || 11,203 || San Diego Stadium || 26–23 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 11:00 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 50 || June 7 || @ Padres || 4–1 || Koosman (3–3) || || || 10,827 || San Diego Stadium || 27–23 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 51 || June 8 || @ Padres || 3–2 || Seaver (9–3) || || Taylor (4) || 8,568 || San Diego Stadium || 28–23 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 52 || June 10 || @ Giants || 9–4 || Cardwell (2–6) || || Taylor (5) || 6,038 || Candlestick Park || 29–23|| Boxscore || 2 || −7 || 11:00 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 53 || June 11 || @ Giants || 2–7 || || Gentry (5–5) || || 3,935 || Candlestick Park || 29–24 || Boxscore || 2 || −7 || 4:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 54 || June 13 || @ Dodgers || 0–1 || || Koosman (3–4) || || 20,042 || Dodger Stadium || 29–25 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 11:00 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 55 || June 14 || @ Dodgers || 3–1 || Seaver (10–3) || || McGraw (3) || 26,727 || Dodger Stadium || 30–25 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 11:00 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 56 || June 15 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 || || DiLauro (0–1) || || 28,086 || Dodger Stadium || 30–26 || Boxscore || 2 || −9 || 4:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 57 || June 17 || @ Phillies || 1–0 || Gentry (6–5) || || || N/A || Connie Mack Stadium || 31–26 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 58 || June 17 || @ Phillies || 3–7 || || Cardwell (2–7) || || 17,259 || Connie Mack Stadium || 31–27 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 59 || June 18 || @ Phillies || 2–0 || Koosman (4–4) || || || 5,608 || Connie Mack Stadium || 32–27 || Boxscore || 2 || −7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 60 || June 19 || @ Phillies || 6–5 || Taylor (3–1) || || McGraw (4) || 6,871 || Connie Mack Stadium || 33–27 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 61 || June 20 || Cardinals || 4–3 || Ryan (3–0) || || McGraw (5) || 54,083 || Shea Stadium || 34–27 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 62 || June 21 || Cardinals || 3–5 || || DiLauro (0–2) || || 29,628 || Shea Stadium || 34–28 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 63 || June 22 || Cardinals || 5–1 || Gentry (7–5) || || Koonce (4) || N/A || Shea Stadium || 35–28 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 64 || June 22 || Cardinals || 1–0 || Koosman (5–4) || || || 55,862 || Shea Stadium || 36–28 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 65 || June 24 || Phillies || 2–1 || Seaver (11–3) || || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 37–28 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 66 || June 24 || Phillies || 5–0 || McAndrew (1–2) || || Taylor (6) || 39,843 || Shea Stadium || 38–28 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 67 || June 25 || Phillies || 5–6
(10)|| || Taylor (3–2) || || 27,814 || Shea Stadium || 38–29 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 68 || June 26 || Phillies || 0–2 || || Cardwell (2–8) || || 15,360 || Shea Stadium || 38–30 || Boxscore || 2 || −7 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 69 || June 27 || Pirates || 1–3 || || Koosman (5–5) || || 42,276 || Shea Stadium || 38–31 || Boxscore || 2 || −7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 70 || June 28 || Pirates || 4–7 || || Gentry (7–6) || || 48,398 || Shea Stadium || 38–32 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 71 || June 29 || Pirates || 7–3 || Seaver (12–3) || || || 27,455 || Shea Stadium || 39–32 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 72 || June 30 || @ Cardinals || 10–2 || McAndrew (2–2) || || || 17,476 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 40–32 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 9:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 73 || July 1 || @ Cardinals || 1–4 || || Ryan (3–1) || || N/A || Busch Memorial Stadium || 40–33 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || 6:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 74 || July 1 || @ Cardinals || 5–8 || || DiLauro (0–3) || || 19,799 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 40–34 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || 8:29 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 75 || July 2 || @ Cardinals || 6–4
(14)|| McGraw (5–1) || || || 14,928 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 41–34 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || 9:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 76 || July 3 || @ Cardinals || 8–1 || Gentry (8–6) || || || 11,070 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 42–34 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 77 || July 4 || @ Pirates || 11–6 || Seaver (13–3) || || Koonce (5) || N/A || Forbes Field || 43–34 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 10:35 AM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 78 || July 4 || @ Pirates || 9–2 || Cardwell (3–8) || || || 17,631 || Forbes Field || 44–34 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 1:57 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || July 5 || @ Pirates || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 12 || Forbes Field || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | – || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 79 || July 6 || @ Pirates || 8–7 || Taylor (4–2) || || Koonce (6) || 11,552 || Forbes Field || 45–34 || Boxscore || 2 || − || 1:35 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 80 || July 8 || Cubs || 4–3 || Koosman (6–5) || Jenkins (11–6) || || 55,096 || Shea Stadium || 46–34 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 81 || July 9 || Cubs || 4–0 || Seaver (14–3) || || || 50,709 || Shea Stadium || 47–34 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 82 || July 10 || Cubs || 2–6 || || Gentry (8–7) || || 36,012 || Shea Stadium || 47–35 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 83 || July 11 || Expos || 4–11 || || McAndrew (2–3) || || 36,012 || Shea Stadium || 47–36 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || July 12 || Expos || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 10 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | –5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 84 || July 13 || Expos || 4–3 || Koosman (7–5) || || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 48–36 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 85 || July 13 || Expos || 9–7 || Koonce (3–3) || || Taylor (7) || 40,653 || Shea Stadium || 49–36 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 86 || July 14 || @ Cubs || 0–1 || || Seaver (14–4) || || 37,473 || Wrigley Field || 49–37 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 87 || July 15 || @ Cubs || 5–4 || Gentry (9–7) || || Taylor (8) || 38,608 || Wrigley Field || 50–37 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 88 || July 16 || @ Cubs || 9–5 || Koonce (4–3) || Jenkins (12–7) || Taylor (9) || 36,795 || Wrigley Field || 51–37 || Boxscore || 2 || −4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 89 || July 18 || @ Expos || 5–2 || Koosman (8–5) || || || 23,507 || Jarry Park || 52–37 || Boxscore || 2 || −4 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 90 || July 19 || @ Expos || 4–5 || || Seaver (14–5) || || 21,493 || Jarry Park || 52–38 || Boxscore || 2 || −4 || || || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 91 || July 20 || @ Expos || 2–3 || || Gentry (9–8) || || N/A || Jarry Park || 52–39 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 92 || July 20 || @ Expos || 4–3
(10)|| DiLauro (1–3) || || || 27,356 || Jarry Park || 53–39 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- align="center" bgcolor="bbcaff"|colspan="3" bgcolor="#bbcaff"| July 23: All-Star Game (NL wins—https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS196907230.shtml) || 9–3 || Carlton (STL) || Stottlemyre (NYY) || || 45,259 || RFK Stadium || colspan=7| Washington, D.C.|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 93 || July 24 || Reds || 3–4
(12)|| || McGraw (5–2) || || 30,934 || Shea Stadium || 53–40 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 94 || July 25 || Reds || 4–3 || Taylor (5–2) || || || 37,470 || Shea Stadium || 54–40 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 95 || July 26 || Reds || 3–2 || Seaver (15–5) || || || 25,259 || Shea Stadium || 55–40 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 96 || July 27 || Reds || 3–6 || || Cardwell (3–9) || || 55,391 || Shea Stadium || 55–41 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || July 29 || Astros || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 31 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | – || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 97 || July 30 || Astros || 3–16 || || Koosman (8–6) || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 55–42 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 98 || July 30 || Astros || 5–11 || || Gentry (9–9) || || 28,922 || Shea Stadium || 55–43 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 99 || July 31 || Astros || 0–2 || || Seaver (15–6) || || 6,683 || Shea Stadium || 55–44 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||-|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 100 || August 1 || Braves || 5–4 || Koonce (5–3) || Niekro (14–9) || Taylor (10) || 34,779 || Shea Stadium || 56–44 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 101 || August 2 || Braves || 1–0 || McAndrew (3–3) || Reed (10–8) || McGraw (6) || 37,442 || Shea Stadium || 57–44 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 102 || August 3 || Braves || 6–5
(11)|| Taylor (6–2) || Raymond (2–2) || || 34,696 || Shea Stadium || 58–44 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 103 || August 4 || @ Reds || 0–1 || || Koosman (8–7) || || 13,228 || Crosley Field || 58–45 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 104 || August 5 || @ Reds || 5–8 || || Seaver (15–7) || || N/A || Crosley Field || 58–46 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 105 || August 5 || @ Reds || 10–1 || Ryan (4–1) || || || 31,062 || Crosley Field || 59–46 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 106 || August 6 || @ Reds || 2–3 || || McAndrew (3–4) || || 17,452 || Crosley Field || 59–47 || Boxscore || 2 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 107 || August 8 || @ Braves || 4–1 || Koosman (9–7) || Pappas (5–8) || || N/A || Atlanta Stadium || 60–47 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 108 || August 8 || @ Braves || 0–1
(10)|| Reed (11–8) || Taylor (6–3) || || 42,838 || Atlanta Stadium || 60–48 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 109 || August 9 || @ Braves || 5–3 || Seaver (16–7) || Stone (9–7) || Koonce (7) || 28,194 || Atlanta Stadium || 61–48 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 110 || August 10 || @ Braves || 3–0 || Cardwell (4–9) || Britton (5–3) || McGraw (7) || 18,224 || Atlanta Stadium || 62–48 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 111 || August 11 || @ Astros || 0–3 || || McAndrew (3–5) || || 21,798 || Astrodome || 62–49 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 112 || August 12 || @ Astros || 7–8 || || Koosman (9–8) || || 22,283 || Astrodome || 62–50 || Boxscore || 2 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 113 || August 13 || @ Astros || 2–8 || || Gentry (9–10) || || 30,590 || Astrodome || 62–51 || Boxscore || 3 || −10 || 8:30 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || August 15 || Padres || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 17 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | – || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 114 || August 16 || Padres || 2–0 || Seaver (17–7) || || Taylor (11) || N/A || Shea Stadium || 63–51 || Boxscore || 2 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 115 || August 16 || Padres || 2–1 || McAndrew (4–5) || || McGraw (8) || 19,940 || Shea Stadium || 64–51 || Boxscore || 2 || −9 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 116 || August 17 || Padres || 3–2 || Koosman (10–8) || || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 65–51 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 117 || August 17 || Padres || 3–2 || Cardwell (5–9) || || Taylor (12) || 35,711 || Shea Stadium || 66–51 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 118 || August 19 || Giants || 1–0
(14)|| McGraw (6–2) || || || 48,968 || Shea Stadium || 67–51 || Boxscore || 2 || −8 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 119 || August 20 || Giants || 6–0 || McAndrew (5–5) || || || 48,414 || Shea Stadium || 68–51 || Boxscore || 2 || −7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 120 || August 21 || Giants || 6–7
(11)|| || Taylor (6–4) || || 42,795 || Shea Stadium || 68–52 || Boxscore || 2 || −7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 121 || August 22 || Dodgers || 5–3 || Koosman (11–8) || || McGraw (9) || 50,460 || Shea Stadium || 69–52 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV|||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 122 || August 23 || Dodgers || 3–2 || Taylor (7–4) || || || 40,974 || Shea Stadium || 70–52 || Boxscore || 2 || −6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 123 || August 24 || Dodgers || 7–4 || Koonce (6–3) || || || 48,435 || Shea Stadium || 71–52 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 124 || August 26 || @ Padres || 8–4 || Seaver (18–7) || || || N/A || San Diego Stadium || 72–52 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 125 || August 26 || @ Padres || 3–0 || McAndrew (6–5) || || || 8,873 || San Diego Stadium || 73–52 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 126 || August 27 || @ Padres || 4–1 || Koosman (12–8) || || || 5,525 || San Diego Stadium || 74–52 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 127 || August 29 || @ Giants || 0–5 || || Gentry (9–11) || || 13,843 || Candlestick Park || 74–53 || Boxscore || 2 || −4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 128 || August 30 || @ Giants || 3–2
(10)|| McGraw (7–2) || || || 14,436 || Candlestick Park || 75–53 || Boxscore || 2 || −4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 129 || August 31 || @ Giants || 8–0 || Seaver (19–7) || || || N/A || Candlestick Park || 76–53 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 130 || August 31 || @ Giants || 2–3
(11)|| || McGraw (7–3) || || 32,327 || Candlestick Park || 76–54 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 131 || September 1 || @ Dodgers || 6–10 || || Koosman (12–9) || || 28,079 || Dodger Stadium || 76–55 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 132 || September 2 || @ Dodgers || 5–4 || Gentry (10–11) || || McGraw (10) || 25,676 || Dodger Stadium || 77–55 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 133 || September 3 || @ Dodgers || 4–5 || || DiLauro (1–4) || || 26,625 || Dodger Stadium || 77–56 || Boxscore || 2 || −5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 134 || September 5 || Phillies || 5–1 || Seaver (20–7) || || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 78–56 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 135 || September 5 || Phillies || 2–4 || || McAndrew (6–6) || || 40,450 || Shea Stadium || 78–57 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 136 || September 6 || Phillies || 3–0 || Cardwell (6–9) || || McGraw (11) || 20,477 || Shea Stadium || 79–57 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 137 || September 7 || Phillies || 9–3 || Ryan (5–1) || || || 28,937 || Shea Stadium || 80–57 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 138 || September 8 || Cubs || 3–2 || Koosman (13–9) || || || 43,274 || Shea Stadium || 81–57 || Boxscore || 2 || − || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 139 || September 9 || Cubs || 7–1 || Seaver (21–7) || Jenkins (19–13) || || 51,448 || Shea Stadium || 82–57 || Boxscore || 2 || -½ || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 140 || September 10 || Expos || 3–2
(12)|| Taylor (8–4) || || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 83–57 || Boxscore || 1 || +1 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 141 || September 10 || Expos || 7–1 || Ryan (6–1) || || || 23,512 || Shea Stadium || 84–57 || Boxscore || 1 || +1 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 142 || September 11 || Expos || 4–0 || Gentry (11–11) || || || 10,713 || Shea Stadium || 85–57 || Boxscore || 1 || +2 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 143 || September 12 || @ Pirates || 1–0 || Koosman (14–9) || || || N/A || Forbes Field || 86–57 || Boxscore || 1 || + || 6:05 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 144 || September 12 || @ Pirates || 1–0 || Cardwell (7–9) || || McGraw (12) || 19,303 || Forbes Field || 87–57 || Boxscore || 1 || + || 8:49 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 145 || September 13 || @ Pirates || 5–2 || Seaver (22–7) || || || 10,440 || Forbes Field || 88–57 || Boxscore || 1 || + || 4:15 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 146 || September 14 || @ Pirates || 3–5 || || Ryan (6–2) || || 11,324 || Forbes Field || 88–58 || Boxscore || 1 || + || 1:35 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 147 || September 15 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || McGraw (8–3) || || || 13,086 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 89–58 || Boxscore || 1 || + || 9:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;"| || September 16 || @ Cardinals || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 22 || Busch Memorial Stadium || || || || bgcolor="bbffbb" | +4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 148 || September 17 || @ Expos || 5–0 || Koosman (15–9) || || || 10,422 || Jarry Park || 90–58 || Boxscore || 1 || +4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 149 || September 18 || @ Expos || 2–0 || Seaver (23–7) || || || 13,280 || Jarry Park || 91–58 || Boxscore || 1 || +5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 150 || September 19 || Pirates || 2–8 || || Ryan (6–3) || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 91–59 || Boxscore || 1 || +4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 151 || September 19 || Pirates || 0–8 || || McAndrew (6–7) || || 51,885 || Shea Stadium || 91–60 || Boxscore || 1 || +4 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 152 || September 20 || Pirates || 0–4 || || Gentry (11–12) || || 38,784 || Shea Stadium || 91–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +4 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 153 || September 21 || Pirates || 5–3 || Koosman (16–9) || || || N/A || Shea Stadium || 92–61 || Boxscore || 1 || + || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 154 || September 21 || Pirates || 6–1 || Cardwell (8–9) || || || 55,901 || Shea Stadium || 93–61 || Boxscore || 1 || + || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 155 || September 22 || Cardinals || 3–1 || Seaver (24–7) || || || 23,267 || Shea Stadium || 94–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +5 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 156 || September 23 || Cardinals || 3–2
(11)|| McGraw (9–3) || || || 32,364 || Shea Stadium || 95–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +6 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#007800;"| || || || || || || || || || || || || || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 158 || September 26 || @ Phillies || 5–0 || Koosman (17–9) || || || 6,288 || Connie Mack Stadium || 97–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +7 || || WOR-TV |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 159 || September 27 || @ Phillies || 1–0 || Seaver (25–7) || || || 4,297 || Connie Mack Stadium || 98–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +8 || || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 160 || September 28 || @ Phillies || 2–0 || Gentry (13–12) || || Taylor (13) || 6,875 || Connie Mack Stadium || 99–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +8 || || |||-|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 161 || October 1 || @ Cubs || 6–5
(12)|| Taylor (9–4) || || Johnson (1) || 10,136 || Wrigley Field || 100–61 || Boxscore || 1 || +9 || 2:30 PM EDT || |||- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 162 || October 2 || @ Cubs || 3–5 || Decker (1–0) || Cardwell (8–10) || || 9,981 || Wrigley Field || 100–62 || Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 2:30 PM EDT || |||-

All times are EASTERN time

All games broadcast on WJRZ and METS RADIO NETWORK

Postseason

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 1 || October 4 || @ Braves || 9–5 || Seaver (1–0) || Niekro (0–1) || || 50,122 || Atlanta Stadium || Boxscore || 4:10 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 2 || October 5 || @ Braves || 11–6 || Taylor (1–0) || Reed (0–1) || McGraw (1) || 50,270 || Atlanta Stadium || Boxscore || 4:10 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 3 || October 6 || Braves || 7–4 || Ryan (1–0) || Jarvis (0–1) || || 54,195 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 1:10 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC|-|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"| 1 || October 11 || @ Orioles || 1–4 || Cuellar (1–0) || Seaver (0–1) || || 50,429 || Memorial Stadium || Boxscore|| 1:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 2 || October 12 || @ Orioles || 2–1 || Koosman (1–0) || McNally (0–1) || Taylor (1) || 50,850 || Memorial Stadium || Boxscore || 2:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 3 || October 14 || Orioles || 5–0 || Gentry (1–0) || Palmer (0–1) || Ryan (1) || 56,335 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 1:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 4 || October 15 || Orioles || 2–1 (10) || Seaver (1–1) || Hall (0–1) || || 57,367 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 1:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC || NBC|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"| 5 || October 16 || Orioles || 5–3 || Koosman (2–0) || Watt (0–1) || || 57,397 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 1:00 PM EDT || WOR-TV || NBC || NBC|-

All times are EASTERN time

1969 NLCS broadcast on WJRZ and METS RADIO NETWORK

Attendance

Roster

1969 New York Mets
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		Outfielders		ManagerCoaches (first base)

The final out

With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, starting pitcher Jerry Koosman faced Orioles second baseman Davey Johnson (who later managed the Mets to their second World Series championship in 1986). After taking a pitch of two balls and one strike, Johnson hit a fly-ball out to left field which was caught by Cleon Jones.^[11]

Hall of Fame members who played in the 1969 World Series

Two future Hall of Fame members were on that Mets' roster: pitcher Tom Seaver, who won twenty-five games en route to winning the Cy Young Award, and a young Nolan Ryan playing in his third season. Seaver was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 and Ryan in 1999. Manager Gil Hodges was elected to the Hall in 2022. Bench coach Yogi Berra and Director of Player Development Whitey Herzog are also in the Hall of Fame.

The Baltimore Orioles boasted four future Hall of Famers on their roster: pitcher Jim Palmer, outfielder Frank Robinson, third baseman Brooks Robinson, and manager Earl Weaver.

Opening Day starters

Notable transactions

June 13, 1969: Al Jackson was purchased from the Mets by the Cincinnati Reds.^[12]
June 15, 1969: Kevin Collins, Steve Renko, Bill Carden (minors) and Dave Colon (minors) were traded by the Mets to the Montreal Expos for Donn Clendenon.^[13]

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	113	365	92	.252	6	40
1B	112	353	84	.238	11	49
2B	102	362	101	.279	3	32
3B	124	400	87	.218	1	39
SS	123	395	98	.248	0	24
LF	137	483	164	.340	12	75
CF	149	565	153	.271	26	76
RF	109	327	77	.235	9	52

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
100	303	91	.300	14	47
103	247	53	.215	2	23
118	215	49	.228	1	19
62	211	49	.232	0	10
72	202	51	.252	12	37
66	177	37	.209	4	21
61	169	35	.207	3	18
48	93	14	.151	0	4
29	74	19	.257	3	12
16	40	6	.150	1	2
10	15	2	.133	0	1
4	10	3	.300	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
36	273.1	25	7	2.21	208
32	241.0	17	9	2.28	180
35	233.2	13	12	3.43	154
30	152.1	8	10	3.01	60
27	135.0	6	7	3.47	90

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	25	89.1	6	3	3.53	92
	23	63.2	1	4	2.40	27

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
59	9	4	13	2.72	42
42	9	3	12	2.24	92
40	6	3	7	4.99	48
9	1	0	0	10.64	10
3	0	0	0	7.71	5
1	0	0	0	4.50	3
2	0	0	1	0.00	1
1	0	0	0	20.25	0

NLCS

See main article: article and 1969 National League Championship Series.

Game 1

Saturday, October 4, 1969, at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta

Game 2

Sunday, October 5, 1969, at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

Game 3

Monday, October 6, 1969, at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York

World Series

See main article: article and 1969 World Series.

Game 4

Wednesday, October 15, 1969, at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens, New York

Game 5

Thursday, October 16, 1969, at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens, New York

In popular culture

In the movie Oh, God!, God, as played by George Burns, explains to John Denver that "the last miracle I performed was the 1969 Mets."

Part of the movie Frequency is set in Queens, New York, in 1969, as firefighter and avid Mets fan Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid) and his family follow the "Amazin's" throughout the World Series.

In Moonlighting, Season 2, Episode 13, "In God We Strongly Suspect", when David is attempting to define the parameters of Maddie's skepticism and atheism by inviting her to provide logical explanations for various phenomena seemingly beyond man's understanding, he mentions the "'69 Mets" which she immediately dismisses as "a myth and a hoax".

In his song "Faith and Fear in Flushing Meadows", twee/folk artist Harry Breitner makes mention of Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman.

In the TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond episode "Big Shots", Ray and Robert visit the Baseball Hall of Fame to meet members of the '69 Mets.

In the film Men in Black 3, set shortly before the Apollo 11 launch in July 1969, Griffin, an alien from the fifth dimension who can see the future, says the Mets' title is his favorite human history moment for "all the improbabilities that helped".

In the TV show Growing Pains, the family's name was the Seavers and their neighbors were the Koosmans.

In the TV Sitcom The Simpsons episode MoneyBart, Homer Simpson says the 1969 Mets will live on forever.

Awards and honors

Awards

Regular Season

	Babe Ruth Award
	National League Cy Young Award
	Associated Press Athlete of the Year^[14]
	Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

Playoffs

	World Series Most Valuable Player Award

Regular Season

	Associated Press NL Manager of the Year

40th Major League Baseball All-Star Game

See main article: article and 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Outfielders

Pitchers

	Player	League	IP	SO
36			1.2	1
41			did not pitch

Draft

See main article: article and 1969 Major League Baseball draft.

Date	Round	Pick	Player	Position	Hometown/School
June 5, 1969	1	4		RHP	Key West, Florida
June 5, 1969	2	28		C	St. Louis, Missouri

Farm system

External links

1969 New York Mets at Baseball Reference
1969 New York Mets at Baseball Almanac
1969 – New York Mets Win Their First World Series A report from K.C. Connors of WCBS Newsradio 880 (WCBS-AM New York) Part of WCBS 880's celebration of 40 years of newsradio
Never-Seen Pics of the Miracle Mets —slideshow by Life magazine

Notes and References

Web site: Seaver, Ryan and Koosman highlight Miracle Mets gathering to celebrate 40th anniversary of 1969 World Series Championship - mets.com: Official Info. mlb.com. January 14, 2012. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193058/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090720&content_id=5955388&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. dead.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/boschdo01.shtml Don Bosch
/New York Times, Sunday April 6, 1969
Id.
Id.
Joseph Durso, New York Times, April 9, 1969
Web site: 1969 New York Mets Schedule.
Id.
Web site: Events of Wednesday, August 13, 1969. www.retrosheet.org.
Web site: 1969 NL Attendance Data From Baseball Reference. baseball-reference.com. July 31, 2024.
Web site: New York Mets Win 1969 World Series. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/tOGxdvPmnMs . 2021-12-21 . live. snarfmatic. March 16, 2011. YouTube.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jacksal01.shtml Al Jackson
https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/clenddo01.shtml Donn Clendenon
Web site: Associated Press Athlete of the Year (male). www.nndb.com.
Book: Johnson. Lloyd. Wolff. Miles. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. 2nd. Durham, North Carolina. Baseball America. 1997. 978-0-9637189-8-3.