Reversal of Misfortune...A Mets Dynasty

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Awful April for the Mets, who stamped a woeful month by dropping 8 of their last 9 contests.



Here are a look at early stats...

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What an absolute nightmare of a month!

The Mets go 9-22 in May, enduring a six-game losing streak, a 12-game losing skid and a total span in which they dropped 18 of 20.



In the midst of it all, injuries to 2B Elio Chacon and 3B Rick Herrscher unfold to add to the misery.

As a team, we ranked near the bottom in practically every category except stolen bases abd staff strikeouts.

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The Mets called up Lew Krausse (1-2, 2.28) and Frank Kreutzer (0-2, 4.81) and patched them each into the starting rotation.


RHP Dick Selma is making a rapid ascent. Selma opened in Single A Salinas and has moved from Double A Williamsport to Triple A Buffalo. Along the route, he has compiled a 5-3 mark and an ERA of 2.35.

C Duane Josephson (.330/.385/.489) has impressed in his first 24 games in Buffalo.

SS Buddy Harrelson has floated back and fourth between Quincy, Salinas and Williamsport but his offense has not be awful.

A .329/.377/.557 slash line over the first 20 games in Salinas earned Reggie Smith a boost to Williamsport, where he's gone .258/.367/.527.

Lastly, here is a look at where our future ace is at....

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For Bob Miller. Tough to be a closer when your team gives you extremely limited opportunities to actually do your job.

Yet, Miller has been ready to answer the call whenever it comes. He has been virtually lights out, exactly what you want at the back end of your pen.

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One of the goals designed for the Mets by ownership this season was acquiring a Gold Glove winner.

Mission accomplished!

In a blockbuster deal that seemed far too good to be true, the Cardinals receive C Chris Cannizzaro in exchange for RF Roberto Clemente.

The organization - and the fan base - are elated to have Clemente join the team.



In a separate move, the Mets shipped 35-year-old 1B Frank Thomas to St. Louis in exchange for 28-year-old 1B Donn Clendenon.

The Mets have also DFA'd 2B Sammy Drake.

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Minor move...

Mets ship SP Dave Stenhouse to the Chicago Cubs in return for minor-league C Pete Embry, who was immediately called up to New York to back up Duane Josephson.

There was mild interest for RP Jim Brewer, but we aren't interested in surrendering a quality bullpen guy with long-term potential.

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Mets go 11-16 in July of 1964, cementing them in last place in the NL...but just 2 1/2 games back of Houston.



A look at offensive and pitching stat leaders for the Mets...

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Mets hit September of 1964 last in the National League, shamefully saddled with the second-worst mark in MLB.



With rosters expanding for the final month, interesting call-ups included RP Dick Selma, SS Buddy Harrelson and OF Reggie Smith. Pitchers Larry Dierker and Steve Carlton - both still teenagers - will remain with their minor-leauge squads.

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Top of this upcoming draft is absolute loaded and the guy at the top of the list could fill perhpas our most glaring need.



We are in a foot race - more like a tripping contest - with Cleveland, Houston and Boston for the No. 1 overall pick. We want Bench bad, but seeing the names the litter this list, there are plenty of promising alternatives to pick if we don't land the top selection.

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Mets finished with worst record in baseball to stamp 1964 campaign and will have the No. 1 overall pick for the draft in December, one full of future HOFers, including catcher Johnny Bench at the top of the list.

The pool of prospects in this draft appears pretty deep, so we will be looking to land some future staples in the first few rounds.




The Minnesota Twins rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the series to rattle off four consecutive wins and top the San Francisco Giants for the 1964 World Series title.

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CF Jim Hickman was awarded the Gold Glove

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Look at the names that went in the 1st round of the draft...headed by our Franchise guy!

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We added 2B Dick Green

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Here is a look at the 1965 New York Mets



This is most likely how are lineup will look for at least the first few weeks..


And, this is what our pitching will be...


Prospects
Our most recent 2nd round draft pick, RP Tug McGraw, will open the season with the big club. So, too, is SS Buddy Harrelson, who will back up Tommy Helms. Dick Green, 23, wil be at second. Larry Dierker, just 18, will be in the starting rotation.

SP Steve Carlton opens in Triple A Buffalo along with SP Dick Selma and OF Reggie Smith.

C Johnny Bench, our first-rounder, begins his professional career in Double AA Williamsport

Waiver Wire
Mets have DFAd RP Sherman Jones, RP Malcolm Warren, C Pete Embry, SS Edward Griffiths, SS Richard Nunes, OF Allen Goldis and OF Bobby Gene Smith.

The leash will be short. We have young prospects

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The Mets have proven pathetic in their first three years, managing to lose day after day...with the exception of one particular special occasion.

For the fourth consecutive season, New York picked up a win on Opening Day. This one might be a little extra special as the Amazins knicked Sandy Koufax for a run in the bottom of the first and three more in the sixth to pick up a rain-soaked 5-1 victory over the Dodgers in a contest that was called due to rain in the eighth inning.

It's only one game, but this just may be the season we see some marked improvements. Stay tuned.

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Mets step into May with an 8-8 mark. April was interesting with Amazins sweeping San Fran as part of a 5-1 opening homestand only to have the Giants repay the favor a week later.

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Mets have called up LHP Steve Carlton from Triple AAA Buffalo. He will make his first start May 9th vs. the Milwaukee Braves

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Maybe it's a false sense of hope, but I'm detecting something different about the 1965 Mets.

Playing this season with a little more intense interest. Where I would auto-play a month at a time, I am quick playing each game and peak in at the occasional boxscore to see if we are starting to show signs of our young talent blossoming.

I want to say yes, this is the case, but there is still plenty of baseball to be played. BUT, as of May 20th, the Mets are 17-16 and - after a seven-game losing skid in late April - have lost no more than three in a row this month.

The pitching staff has been exceptional...


Offense needs to pick up its production...


And, here is a look at where we stack up as a whole...

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The Mets have sent Steve Carlton back down to Triple A Buffalo to get a little more seasoning.

In his last outing, Carlton got shelled by the Chicago Cubs during a 16-3 loss.




Here are his numbers during his time in Flushing