Reversal of Misfortune...A Mets Dynasty

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Take what they give ya.

Basic but all true cliche that the Mets abided to in Game 4. Amazins took advantage of two Minnesota errors in the top of the first, scoring three times and letting Wilbur Wood handle the rest.

The southpaw grinded through six innings and Tug McGraw was lights out over the final three to seal up a 3-2 win and tie the series at 2-2.

Honestly, Mike Kekich deserved a better fate for the Twins, the hard-luck loster despite eight solid frames of work.

Slipped into the leadoff spot, Joe Morgan responded with a 2-for-4 performance sparked by a single to start the game. Gene Clines drove him in with an ensuing double and the Mets scored two more, fueled by a pair of errors, to open a 3-0 cushion.

Minnesota got single runs back in the first and second but were held scoreless the rest of the way. One subtle key? Silencing Bobby Tolan and Harmon Killebrew, who were a combined 0 for 6.

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Finally.

I've been waiting for this lineup, chock full of future Hall of Famers to explode and the moment arrived in Game 5.The Mets paraded a dozen batters to the plate in the top of the third, a march that yielded an astronomical nine runs and drove the Amazins to a 13-6 victory and, more importantly, a 3-2 edge in the series.

After collecting 25 hits over the first four games, the Mets pounded out 17 in Game 5, eight coming in the third. Katsuhiro ****anishi, who's glove plagued the Mets earlier in the series, atonned with a 3-run homer during the uprising and Roberto Clemente added a two-run triple.

Once again, Clemente cemented his legacy as an offensive savage in the post season. He finished 4 for 6 with a two-run homer in the ninth to stamp the outcome.

The fireworks complemented Steve Carlton, who was anything but sharp but still persevered to pocket his second win of the series. Lefty gave up 10 hits, four walks and four runs in eight innings while fanning four.

Batterymate Johnny Bench counted a home run among his two hits and SS Buddy Harrelson, who has really put together a quality post-season performance with the bat, was 3 for 4.

We head back to Flushing for a Game 2 rematch between Nolan Ryan for the Twins and Nelson Briles for New York.

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When I embarked on this dynasty, it was to have some fun with revisionist history and try to surpass the two world championships the Mets have captured IRL.

Knowing now what they didn't back then makes the mission far easier, I'll be the first to admit it. But, it doesn't dampen the fulfillment of winning another title.

Gene Clines, who was a breakout offensive surprise during the regular season, Joe Morgan, who could be painted as a mild disappointment thus far in his Mets' career, and the imcomparable Roberto Clemente combined to ignite a pivotal uprising in the bottom of the fifth which served as the impetus to a 4-1 triump in Game 6, landing the Mets their second World Series title in three years.

Down, 1-0, in the fifth, New York picked up a leadoff single by Clines. Clemente backed that with a base hit and a throwing error gave Clines the chance to race home with the tying run. Morgan followed with a double to make it 2-1 and Johnny Bench punctuated the scoring with a two-run homer in the seventh.

While Nolan Ryan struggled with command, neutralizing 10 strikeouts with eight walks and eight hits, Nelson Briles was masterful. Scoring a measure of revenge after dropping Game 2, Briles one run on six hits over six innings and Tug McGraw once again was flawless over the final three to secure the crown.

How sweet it is!!

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Feel like a broken record....year after year applauding the playoff performance of Roberto Clemente.

His speed has diminished, understandable for a 38 year old. But, everything else remains intact. Can hit for power, average and overall production and plays right field as good as anyone.

I won't waste time on words. Instead, I'll let the numbers speak for themselves...



Another tip of the cap is aimed at Tug McGraw. Mr. You Gotta Believe has been unbelievable in the post season, including three saves in this World Series.

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Despite coming off a World Series title, the organization can stand on its past accomplishments. Moves had to be made, some a little more earth shattering than others.

NOVEMBER
Moving 1B Don Mincher to Minnesota in exchange for 3B Don Money got us a little more veteran presence at the hot corner as Ron Cey develops. Tip of the cap to Mincher for his production the last three years. He was a solid bat for us. Money gives us some balance at third.

We DFAd 3B Katsuhiro ****anishi and 1B Glenn Stitzel.

DECEMBER
With the World Series crown comes the last pick in the draft. Still, I thought we got some quality. Drafted and signed C Ernie Witt; RHP Rick Langford and RHP Odell Jones.

Wound up trading ****anishi and LHP Jim Rooker to St. Louis for 1B/C Cliff Johnson.

MARCH
So, third base has always been an issue. Money and Cey are nice but when the chance to reeling in a future HOF arose, I had to act on it. Thus, we sent RHP Bert Blyleven to the Cubs to land 19-year-old prospect George Brett.

Fan reaction wasn't great. I get it. Blyleven was a pillar in the rotation last year, but I'm banking on Vida Blue stepping into that spot and Brett to be a fixture at third beginning in a few years.

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Maybe it was the 11-0 start to the season. Or, the 19-2 record after the first month of the campaign.

I'm usually a little more hands on with the dynasty, but with the way this well-oiled machine has performed, I've sat back and watching something historical unfold.

The 1973 season is already into September because the Mets have basically run away and distanced themselves from all challengers thus far. I know, this could come back to bite us in the playoffs. Not worrying about it right now. Just basking it the epic display by the Amazins.

Here are the standings as of Sept. 1...


Yup, 101 wins entering September!!!

Potential for three 20-game winners on staff...


Tony Perez probably won't win the Triple Crown, but damn is he going to make it interesting. Remember when Joe Morgan could have been considered a disappointment for us? Ancient history. And, I love Roberto Clemente giving a glimpse at what he would have perhaps been like if not for the tragedy that took him far too young. Arriba is timeless and priceless!

Our offensive numbers...

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Hail to the 1973 Amazins, who just set the MLB record for most wins in a regular season with an astonishing 118-44 mark.

Some perspective? The Mets won the division by a 16 games despite the second-place Phillies boasting the second best record in baseball this season.

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One of my greatest fears heading into these playoffs was the team with the best record might fall flat on its face in the post season.

Credit the Reds for giving us a run in Game 1. First, the tag Wilbur Wood for two runs in the second to seize an early lead. Then, the forced us into extra innings where our middle infield - so reliable with its gloves - confirmed the same about their lumber.

Joe Morgan's leadoff double in the bottom of the 10th gave way to Buddy Harrelson's dramatic two-out single that lifted the Mets to the 4-3 win.

We were on the precipice of dropping that opener, needing a run-scoring single by Johnny Bench and a RBI fielder's choice from Harrelson to forge a 3-3 tie in the eighth.

Wood grinded out nine innings and Rollie Fingers grabbed the win.

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Can't help but to think so much of this 1973 season reminds me of 1986 IRL.

Mets had best record in baseball, ran away from all challengers to win NL East...and then scraped by en route to winning the World Series. This post season has a deja vu about it and hopefully with the same happy recap at its conclusion.

In order for New York to secure a ticket to its fourth consecutive World Series, it had to outlast the Cincinnati Reds in a grueling five-gam NLCS that closed with the Mets slugging their way to a 13-8 victory.

Fun game with a lot of managerial moves. Thought we were comfortably ahead before Wilbur Wood suffered a rare poor showing, walking the yard in the fifth to transform a 6-1 cushion into a 6-5 nail biter.

Johnny Bench's 3-run homer in the sixth and a two-run blasts from Tony Perez and Don Money in the eighth pushed us across the finish line and into the Fall Classic opposite the Boston Red Sox (told ya it feels like '86).

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The New York Mets won their second straight World Series - and third in four years - with a 2-0 shutout of the Boston Red Sox in Game 5, winning the Fall Classic, four games to one.

The Mets dropped Game 1, 9-3, as Carl Yazstremski slugged a pair of home runs, including a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth that snapped a 2-2 tie. Yaz's exploits overshadowed a pair of home runs by Johnny Bench for New York. But, Bench was just getting started.

The series opener proved to be the lone bright for the Sox. New York survived a slugfest in Game 2, edging Boston, 11-10, Both teams hammered out 14 hits. Bench delivered in the sixth with a RBI single that broke a wild 10-10 tie.

Wilbur Wood dominated Game 3 with his arm...and bat! Wood scattered eight hits, walked two and fanned eight to go with a three-run homer in the eighth that stamped a 7-1 win. Bench was involved again, going 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI.

Reggie Smith's solo homer in the bottom of the first lit the spark to a 7-1 triumph in Game 4. Tony Perez added a two-run blast in the fourth when New York hung four runs to open a 6-0 cushion. Jim Bibby pocketed nine strikeouts over seven innings to get the decision.

Game 5 was all about redemption for Reggie Cleveland, The 20-game winner was roughed up in absorbing the Game 1 loss but returned the favor by spinning a two-hit shutout in a 2-0 victory. Cleveland aided his cause with a single in the third and eventually scored on a balk to stake the Mets to a 1-0 lead. Bench added insurance with a home run in the fourth.

Bench was easily the World Series MVP. The backstop went 11 for 20 with seven runs, 11 hits, eight RBI and four home runs.

It is amazing to run this organization back knowing now what they didn't have the foresight to envision back then. Those early drafts become a whole lot easier when you have concrete evidence of what guys like Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Rollie Fingers, Steve Carlton, etc. are going to become over time. Yes, all Hall of Famers, but I loved the input from guys like Willie Crawford, Ken Griffey, Reggie Smith, Don Money, Reggie Cleveland, Vida Blue, Nelson Briles, Grant Jackson, Tug McGraw and Jim Bibby.

Trading Bert Blyleven - another future HOFer - in the peak of his career can only happen when you have advanced insight into the 19-year phenom you moved him for...a kid name George Brett, who will be a cornerstone at third.

Another element that should be noted is Roberto Clemente. One of my all-time favorite players, landing him in a trade in our organization's infancy was arguably our greatest move. He's been immeasurably depenable, especially in the playoffs. But, more than that, his tragic death in 1972 at 38 ended his career on terms not his own. Thanks to OOTP, he's still here in 1973, making his usual playoff impact as such a quality stick. I love having Clemente on this ride.

The offense is just capable of mind-blowing numbers giving the staff the luxury to pitch without fear. And, the front office the confidence to draft or trade for mid-level pitchers - like Cleveland, Bibby and Wood - who can throw with margin for error.

The original mission of this dynasty was to win more World Series titles than the Mets IRL. That has now been accomplished...in just 12 years. We've appeared in each of the last four Fall Classics and captured three. All awesome, but I want to see how long we can sustain this. It will hinge on dumping guys maybe a bit earlier in their careers than what would normally happen.

But for now, we will relish in what has been constructed....a dynasty.

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As if winning the World Series weren't enough, awards season saw the Mets' treasure chest only expand.

NL MVP: Tony Perez
Perez led the majors in batting average, RBIs and finish seventh in home runs. Absolute beast mode season.

NL Cy Young: Wilbur Wood
The lefty claimed his second Cy Young in three seasons, boasting a 22-7 mark and 1.98 ERA. He's a dude, averaging over 276 innings a year over the past three campaigns.

NL Manager of the Year: Gil Hodges

Hodges was named the Manager of the Year for a fourth straight season. His steadying influence can't be overstated enough.

Silver Slugger recipients included Perez, Joe Morgan, Buddy Harrelson and Johnny Bench.

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Mets traded 3B Ron Cey to the Atlanta Braves in return for LHP Paul Splittorff.

Splittorf was 9-20 last year for lowly Braves' cast that finished 62-100. We'll get another lefty into our rotation with some years ahead of him. The move also opens the chance for rookie George Brett to make his debut for New York. Not certain when he ascends to the starting position but we have Don Money to keep the seat warm while offering quality defense and solid offense.

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Trying to balance the books a bit. We have some depth in the starting rotation which prompted the move to unload RHP Mike Torrez to Houston in exchange for 23-year-old southpaw Tippy Martinez.

Tippy will be an asset in the pen for situational moments.

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The Mets took a chance on a free-spirited right-hander when they selected pitcher Mark Fidrych and backed the selection with OF Warren Cromartie.

Interested to see how each shakes out. Fidrych created a global phenomenon in 1976 but injuries plagued him thereafter. Hopefully, we can avoid such issues and see what might have been.

Same for Cromartie, a very good player whose best years arguably may have been spent in Japan. Another intriguing guy we will be interested to watch develop.

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Been wanting to try this for some time. Adding some video content to balance the written portion of the blog. Always enjoy watching others' material on YouTube so I figured I'd give it a shot.

First episode is just a quick thumbnail on the dynasty and where we are at. coming off a world championship. Hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5-eV16zAHQ

[TaoShash]

How do you plan to integrate video content into your blog, and what kind of topics or content can we expect in the upcoming episodes?

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Roberto Clemente announced his retirement on April 14, 1974, ending an esteemed - a certain - Hall of Fame career.

Relegated to a backup role in right field behind Reggie Smith, Clemente saw very limited action over the first six games, starting once and going 1-for-6 in his handful of plate appearances. Sensing the hand writing on the wall, Arriba said goodbye but not without leaving lasting memories in this organization.

His numbers speak for themselves....



Clemente's play in the post season was instrumental in three World Series titles. The dude could hit in his sleep. He is simply irreplaceable.

In other transaction news, the Mets moved 21-year-old OF Omar Moreno to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for 23-year-old 2B Larry Milbourne. New York also swapped OF Tom Grieve to the Dodgers in exchange for 26-year-old Charlie Hough.

Have to be honest, as my first time running a long-term dynasty, starting to discover just how difficult overseeing everything is. Nearly lost some high-quality prospects but somehow they snuck through waivers. This is a huge undertaking for sure.

Didn't necessarily want to move Moreno, but kind of had my hands tied with the collection of outfielders we've already amassed. Milbourne should be a decent backup for Morgan at second and landing Hough will give us some future in the rotation.

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Long layoff from the dynasty but happy to get back after with the 1974 Mets.

The Amazins are keeping pace with their recent high standards, sailing into the All-Star Break atop the NL East with the best record in baseball and a 9 1/2 game cushion in the division.



A look at our bats...


And, a look at our arms...

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The Mets put a ribbon on another NL East championship season and head back to the playoffs to tangle with the Atlanta Braves.

New York once again fashioned the best record in baseball and won its division by a vast margin...



Final offensive numbers for the Amazins...


And, our pitching stats...


Final National League Batting Leaders...


Final National League Pitching Leaders...

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The Mets blitzed Atlanta, sweeping the 1974 NLCS in three games.

Not much drama in this one, with the exception of Game 3, which New York won, 6-3, in 10 innings. Reggie Smith snapped a 3-3 deadlock with an RBI double. Tony Perez and Warren Cromartie followed up by each delivering a run-scoring single to pad the advantage.

The Mets return to the Fall Classic for a fifth straight season and will face the California Angels in pursuit of their third consecutive World Series title and fourth in five years.

Game 1


Game 2


Game 3