An Englishman in New York (or, British Invasion:The Second Echelon)

[kevarms]

August 17-19
New York Mets (62-55) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (70-47)

August 17: Jerry Koosman is taken out of the game in the second inning after being clobbered for five runs. I'm starting to wonder if he's worth persevering with but Gil likes him. Pirates 7-3
W: Juan Pizarro (8-6) L: Jerry Koosman (2-9)

August 18: Six runs in the second including a 3 RBI homer by Bill Freehan send us on the way to the win. Mets 10-6
W: Don Cardwell (11-6) L: Camilo Pascual (14-5) S: Tug McGraw (5)

August 19: Vern Law throws a complete game and gives up only eight hits and a walk. Pirates 4-2
W: Vern Law (10-9) L: Ralph Terry (6-7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Bill Graham had been demoted to Triple-A Jacksonville when Bobby Bolin arrived. With Bolin out for the season Graham wanted to know if he figured in our plans with the 40-man roster coming up. He had received a good job opportunity back home in Kentucky and, with the Suns season about over, he was thinking about life after baseball. I told him I had planned to bring him back but if it was a good offer he should take the job. He understood his career was finished and I wished him well. He was a good guy, serving in the military and only breaking into the big leagues at age 29. Shame he didn't make it but at least he can say he was a major league pitcher. (Career Stats 4-7, 6.73 ERA, 1 CG)


August 20-22
Houston Astros (75-45) @ New York Mets (63-57)

August 20: Tom Seaver completes the game giving up only five hits and three walks. Mets 7-2
W: Tom Seaver (12-8) L: Milt Pappas (11-9)

August 21: We squeak it, coming from 4-2 down with three runs in the eighth. Mets 5-4
W: Tug McGraw (6-6) L: Mike Cuellar (17-9) S: Ron Taylor (16)

August 22: We sweep the league leaders with another dramatic comeback. Bottom of the ninth we are down 5-3. Mickey Stanley comes to the plate with one out and bases loaded. He hits a single to bring in Ty Cline. The Astros take out Larry Dierker and bring in Bob Lee who then walks Ed Kranepool to tie the game. Clean-up hitter Bill Freehan is up next and he takes the count to 3 and 0. One more bad pitch and it's game over. Luck is on Lee's side though. Freehan can only manage a soft grounder back to the mound. Lee throws to Ellie Hendricks at home who then beats a tortoise-like with the throw to first for a 1-2-3 double play and extra innings. Ron Taylor gets three quick outs in the top of the tenth In the bottom of the inning Bob Lee is still struggling. He gets Larry Stahl to ground out but only after taking the count to 3 and 1. He gives Bob Johnson three balls and then throws one down the middle which Johnson belt into the rightfield corner for a single. He is bunted to second by Bart Shirley. Next up is Tommy Davis. Davis has been great this year coming off the bench, hitting .307. Very reliable. Lee throws a couple of heaters high and outside. The third pitch is hit, hit way back. It looks like it's gone but falls just short of the right field fence for a double and a run for the game. Mets 6-5 (10)
W: Ron Taylor (5-5) L: Bob Lee (5-4)


August 23-25
Philadelphia Phillies (62-58) @ New York Mets (66-57)

August 23: We manage just six measly hits and are shutout by the Phillies. Phillies 3-0
W: Dick Ellsworth (14-8) L: Don Cardwell (11-8) S: Dick Hall (16)

August 24: Jake Wood goes 3 for 5 scoring 3 runs for the Phillies. Phillies 9-4
W: Jerry Johnson (5-2) L: Tug McGraw (6-7) S: Dick Hall (17)

August 25: Pedro Ramos and Tom Seaver both pitch nine innings with honours even to take the game into extra innings. The Phillies squeak it with a one run single by Willie Davis. A disappointing series after sweeping the Astros. Phillies 2-1 (10)
W: Pedro Ramos (11-7) L: Ron Taylor (5-6) S: Dick Hall (18)


August 26-28
Houston Astros (77-49) @ New York Mets (66-60)

August 26: The Astros are back in town and Mickey Stanley and Ron Swoboda get things off to a good start with two homers. Mets 7-5
W: Tug McGraw (7-7) L: Dave Giusti (9-6)

August 27: A dour game for the fans with all runs coming in the first inning. Astros 4-2
W: Don Wilson (19-4) L: Jerry Koosman (2-10) S: Bob Lee (13)

August 28: Don Cardwell pitches a complete game giving up six hits but blows it in the ninth when Bob Allison hits a solo shot. Astros 3-2
W: Dave Giusti (10-6) L: Don Cardwell (11-9)

[kevarms]

The last three days of August were off days. The first day was spent with the Gil Hodges and the coaching staff finalising who would be on the expanded roster. It had been a headache but a nice to have. Our farm system seemed to working really well. Jacksonville had won the International League handily and Double-A Williamsport had done well in the Eastern. Standout players had been Ken Singleton (.397 Avg) and Amos Otis (.393). The pitchers we would be bringing up included Jack Dilauro, Bob Johnson (not the infielder, another one) and Jerry Bell.
After we had agreed on that, it was off for a round of golf - front office versus coaching staff - at Lord Fawcliff's club in Connecticut.

I was sharing a buggy with Lord Fawcliff as we drove up the eighth fairway.
"I'm really pleased with how the season has gone," he said. "We've progressed much quicker than I dared hope."
I nodded. "Me too. I shouldn't be surprised but I am. Even if we don't go over .500 I think we've done pretty well. "
He was quiet for a moment. "Will we have some of our farm players ready for next year?"
"Maybe Singleton and Otis. No pitchers though."
"I see." He was frowning. "The thing is... I want to invest more in the farm clubs. And we need to get our medical facilities up to scratch. It's going to be a big investment and I'm afraid we may have to let some people go."
I knew the figures too and had been expecting this.
"We've got a lot of the younger players coming up for arbitration. Swoboda, Harrelson, Selma. Tom Seaver too. They've had good seasons but, hopefully, they won't be too greedy. I'll get Gil involved. They should be able to see which direction the club is headed."
"It will be hard holding onto young Tom. How much do you think he'll be looking for?"
"I can tell you what he's worth. Half a million. He won't ask for that though."
We pulled up behind my Lord Fawcliff's ball and dismounted. Just then, Gil and Yogi Berra came racing up on their buggy.
"Hey Roy," called Gil, "You got a light?"
Yogi was grinning. "He dropped his in that pond on the seventh."
"I was fishing out YOUR ball."
I reached into my pockets for my matches just as Lord Fawcliff was swinging. He sliced the ball and cursed.
Gil lit his cigarette, exhaled and said with a smile, "Hey boss. That road over there. That's out of bounds. You know that right?"

[kevarms]

NEW YORK CHRONICLE
August 11, 1968

WILLIE MAYS HITS 600TH HOMER
Say Hey Kid Sets Sights On Ruth

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The ever youthful Say Hey Kid joined the exclusive 600 Home Run Club - only other member: one George Herman Ruth. The historic two-run shot was off of Cardinals pitcher Tom Hilgendorf and was the final score of a 6-0 shutout.
Willie took one strike then drove the second pitch into the left field seats. After crossing the plate to a rapturous welcome by his team mates, he was then presented with an award by Frank Torre of the Adirondack Bat Company.
After the game Willie conceded it had been a thrill. “I don’t care too much for records but seeing all my team-mates at the plate, that was special.”
At 37 years old, but showing few signs of slowing down, Willie needs another 114 home runs to catch all time leader Babe Ruth. Asked if he could catch The Babe he said, “I feel strong and I’m sure I can hit a few more. What’s important to me though is getting the Giants contending again.”
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Frank Howard swatted his 38th homer of the year as he guns for the single season home run record. The Braves have 55 games remaining for him to break Roger Maris’ record of 61.

Willie Mays

[kevarms]

AUGUST SUMMARY

We are already officially the best Mets team of all-time after passing the previous record of 66 wins in a season. Yahoo! We just need another 15 wins to go over .500 for the year which would be excellent.
Aside from the Astros-Pirates pennant race, all eyes are on Frank Howard. The Braves slugger finished August on 43 home runs. He now needs 18 to catch Maris’ record.

National League Standings

		W	L	GB
Houston	        80	52	--
Pittsburgh	78	54	2
Los Angeles	67	59	10
Philadelphia	67	59	10
NEW YORK	67	62	11.5
St Louis	62	67	16.5
San Francisco	61	68	17.5
Chicago	        56	73	22.5
Atlanta		54	72	23
Cincinnati	50	76	27

The American League heats up further with the Red Sox entering the fray after going 18-9 in August.



MLB Injury News
August 13: Deron Johnson (HOU)-Broken elbow- 3 months (.264 Avg, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 0 SB)

MLB Milestones
August 8: Jim Bunning (BAL) 200 Wins
August 11: Willie Mays (SFG) 600 Home Runs
August 26: Joe Torre (ATL) 22 Game Hitting Streak

MLB Retirements
None of note

[kevarms]

SEPTEMBER PREVIEW

The loss of Bobby Bolin is a huge blow, leaving our rotation in tatters once again. Koosman is still not ready to be in the rotation, so we are going with a 4-man rotation.
It will be interesting to see how our batting prospects fare. Amos Otis, Ken Singleton and Greg Goossen all did well in the minors.

Line-up			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

2B Buford		C Sullivan		Seaver		Taylor
1B Kranepool		IF Shirley		Fisher		Selma
CF Stanley		OF Alou		        Cardwell	McGraw
C Freehan		LF Davis		Terry		Frisella
RF Stahl		RF Brown				Shaw (Bob)
SS Harrelson		LF Swoboda				Koosman
LF Cline		IF Buchek		MU: McAndrew	Grzenda
3B Johnson		CF Bosch				Shaw (Don)
			OF Singleton				Dilauro
			2B Rojas				Johnson
Disabled List		OF Luplow				Connors
			C Goossen				Bell
OF Jones		OF Clemens
SP Bolin		3B Pfeil
			CF Otis

[kevarms]

September 1-3
New York Mets (67-62) @ Cincinnati Reds (50-76)

September 1: John Tsitouris pitches eight strong innings allowing only five hits and four walks. Reds 5-2
W: John Tsitouris (5-2) L: Ralph Terry (6-8) S: Ted Abernathy (11)

September 2: We come back with a three run rally in the ninth but it's not enough. Reds 5-4
W: Wayne Simpson (4-1) L: Tom Seaver (12-9) S: Ted Abernathy (12)

September 3: Gary Nolan shuts us out , giving up only six hits in nine innings in a sweep for the last place Reds. Reds 4-0
W: Gary Nolan (10-13) L: Jack Fisher (10-7)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank Howard has hit home runs in every one of the six Braves games in September. He is now on 49 HR for the year.

[kevarms]

September 7-9
Los Angeles Dodgers (69-63) @ New York Mets (67-65)

September 7: Our bench players get us back into the game scoring four in the later innings but too late to save the game. Dodgers 6-4
W: Claude Osteen (15-8) L: Don Cardwell (11-10)

Frank Howard goes 2 for 5 striking out twice

September 8: Ralph Terry is pitching well until the seventh when he gives up a grandslam to Jim Lefebvre. Dodgers 5-1
W: Doug Rau (9-11) L: Ralph Terry (6-9)

Frank Howard hits HR #50

September 9: Tom Seavers allows just two hits, walking none in a masterful pitching display. Don Drysdale is also have a good game until the eighth. Holding a 1-0 lead he walks two then gives up a single to Ron Swoboda that brings home Mickey Stanley from second. Next up is Ty Cline. Drysdale throws a wild pitch past catcher Vic Roznovsky letting in Ken Singleton for the decisive run. Mets 2-1
W: Tom Seaver (13-9) L: Don Drysdale (13-15)

Frank Howard hits HR #51

[kevarms]

September 10-12
New York Mets (68-67) @ Houston Astros (87-54)

September 10: Mike Cuellar notches up his first 20-win season with 3 RBI for Rookie of the Year candidate Jose Herrera. Astros 5-2
W: Mike Cuellar (20-9) L: Jack Fisher (10-8) S: Jay Ritchie (9)

Frank Howard goes 1 for 4, only managing to hit a single

September 11: Ellie Hendricks hits two homers, only the fourth and fifth of his career. Astros 9-5
W: Scipio Spinks (2-2) L: Don Cardwell (11-11)

Frank Howard goes 1 for 3, hitting a double

September 12: We take a five hour epic battle into the fifteenth, then Bob Watson hits a walk off homer into the left field seats to give Houston the sweep. Astros 2-1 (15)
W: Ted Davidson (1-0) L: Joe Grzenda (1-3)

Frank Howard goes 1 for 5, hitting a single for 2 RBI


September 13-15
New York Mets (68-70) @ Chicago Cubs (60-81)

September 13: A ding-dong battle of a game with the lead changing five times. We lead 2-0 in the first, after the second it's 5-2 Cubs. We make it 9-7 in the eighth then the Cubs go ahead again at the bottom of the inning, 10-9. In the ninth Ollie Brown ties the game, then Jerry Koosman comes in to pitch and gets three quick outs. In the tenth Mickey Stanley scores a run to put us ahead. We change things around defensively with Greg Goossen coming in at first and Al Luplow taking over from Larry Stahl at rightfield. It's Luplow who makes the first out, safely catching a line drive from Jim Qualls. Then Koosman throws a fastball straight down the middle that Glenn Beckert sends deep into right. Stahl can't get the throw away quick enough and Beckert makes it to second. Next up is Billy Williams, with 2 homers and 6 RBI tonight. He can only manage a weak groundball to Bud Harrelson at short. Next up is Art Shamsky. He fouls two away and takes two balls, then Koosman brings out his heater - a 90 mph fastball for a swinging strike. Game over. Mets 11-10 (10)
W: Jerry Koosman (3-10) L: Joe Niekro (5-5)

Frank Howard goes 1 for 3, hitting a double for 2 RBI. In his first at bat Phillies pitcher Pedro Ramos hurls a brushback pitch that hits Howard in the shoulder.



September 14: Danny Frisella comes in in the sixth and blows a 5-4 lead. Cubs 7-5
W: Fred Talbot (1-2) L: Danny Frisella (0-1)

Frank Howard hits HR # 52

September 15: Both offenses have feasted in this three game set. We have managed 39 hits to the Cubs 40. There were five homers scored in this game including one for George Altman who goes 4 for 5 with 4 RBI. Cubs 12-8
W: Joe Niekro (6-5) L: Danny Frisella (0-2)

Frank Howard goes 1 for 4, hitting a triple for 1 RBI. Again he is hit by a pitch, this time by Phillies ace Dick Ellsworth. The Phillies are booed by their own fans for the unsporting play.

[petrel]

Nice job with the Mets, and it's good to see Frank Howard hitting all those dingers for the Braves.

--Pet

[kevarms]

Cat: My medical staff are now ranked B- on the finance page, B in the league editor.

Petrel: Thanks. It's a shame we've dropped below .500 but it's still been a great season. Howard is going great with a real shot at the record. I don't think I've come this close before in previous dynasties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

September 16-18
New York Mets (69-72) @ Philadelphia Phillies (73-68)

September 16: It's our turn to play the Phillies and we are 3-0 up in the bottom of the fourth. Don Buford makes a mess of a double-play then Dick Allen steps up to smack a three run homer. Buford boots another in the seventh which costs another two runs. In total, Allen drives in six runs for the Phils. Phillies 10-3
W: Jerry Johnson (6-2) L: Tug McGraw (7-8)

Frank Howard and the Braves had an off day.

September 17: Mickey Stanley and Bill Freehan drive in all five of our runs, hitting a homer apiece. Mets 5-2
W: Tom Seaver (14-9) L: Pedro Ramos (13-8) S: Dick Selma (5)

Frank Howard hits HR #53 and #54

September 18: Phillies start with their second round draft pick Doyle Alexander on the mound. He is 2-10 in 18 starts but pitches a great game taking a 6-0 lead into the ninth. Then, he almost blows it. He gives up two singles then walks Ty Cline to load the bases. Bobby Pfeil hits a double for 2 RBIs then Alexander walks Tommy Davis to load the bases again. With no outs, skipper Bob Skinner has seen enough. He brings out veteran closer Dick Hall to face Mets home run leader Don Buford. Buford takes the first pitch - strike! The second and third pitches he fouls off. Hall brings out his slider for number four and Buford connects. It goes over the head of Dick Allen at third and drops just behind him. Cline scores as Allen gets the throw off to second with Davis bearing down - out! Jake Wood throws to first - out! Double play. That takes the wind out of our sails. Ed Kranepool is the next batter but can only hit a weak groundball to second. Phillies 6-3
W: Doyle Alexander (3-10) L: Jack Fisher (10-9) S: Dick Hall (19)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third baseman Bob Johnson was taken out of the game in the fifth after pulling a groin muscle. He will be out for a couple of weeks, meaning his season is probably over.

Frank Howard hits HR #55


September 19-21
Chicago Cubs (64-83) @ New York Mets (70-74)

September 19: Pinch hitter Jesus Alou comes home from second on a Mickey Stanley single. Mets 7-6 (11)
W: Dick Selma (8-4) L: Chuck Hartenstein (4-8)

Frank Howard goes 0 for 4 against the Pirates

September 20: Ralph Terry gets his first win in seven starts and it’s a complete game shutout against the Cubs 1st round draft pick. Mets 5-0
W: Ralph Terry (7-9) L: J.R. Richard (4-10)

Frank Howard hit HR #56 against the Phillies

September 21: We come back and take a 5-4 lead into the ninth but Cubs take it with a two run homer from Denis Menke. Cubs 6-5
W: Jim Ellis (2-2) L: Dick Selma (8-5) S: Chuck Hartenstein (8)

Frank Howard hits HR #57

[kevarms]

September 22-24
New York Mets (72-75) @ San Francisco Giants (71-76)

September 22: An astonishing game sees us come back from 7-0 behind in the sixth to take a 9-7 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The Giants tie it when, who else but, Mr Willie Mays hits a two run shot into the left field seats. Tug McGraw takes the game to eleven but gets himself into a jam. With two out and men on first and second, Jim Davenport hits a fastball through the hole and Willie McCovey slides in to get the win. Giants 10-9 (11)
W: Lindy McDaniel (4-3) L: Tug McGraw (7-9)

Frank Howard hits HR #58

September 23: Ray Sadecki pitches eight solid innings giving us only five hits and three walks. Jim Ray Hart seals the win for the Giants with a two run homer in the eighth. Giants 4-1
W: Ray Sadecki (3-2) L: Don Cardwell (11-12) S: Lindy McDaniel (12)

Frank Howard goes 0 for 4, striking out 3 times against the Cubs

September 24: We go 4-0 ahead in the fourth with runs batted in by Don Buford, Bobby Pfeil and a two run shot from Ken Singleton - his first in the bigs. The Giants pull one back in the second but we restore the margin in the sixth when Mickey Stanley hits another bomb. At the bottom of the inning the Giants come back at us with Ralph Terry giving up a run to Bobby Etheridge. Then, with a man on second, Bobby Bonds sends a soaring drive past the left field foul pole. The umpire says it's a home run but a furious Gil Hodges is out of the dugout arguing it's a foul. It's the angriest I've ever seen Gil and he comes close to being ejected before he calms down.
We bring out Danny Frisella (wouldn't have been my first choice to be honest) as we hang on grimly to a 5-4 lead. Frisella pitches well, allowing only one hit in the seventhand eighth. In the ninth though, things go horribly wrong. The Giants bring out Jim Ray Hart and he hammers the first pitch into the left field corner for a double. Tito Fuentes flies out then Floyd Robinson comes to the plate. Frisella throws two balls then throws one that Bill Freehan can't reach. Hart reaches third on the wild pitch and Gil Hodges goes out to the mound. I assume he's going to call Ron Taylor out from the bullpen but no, he leaves Frisella in. Frisella then throws two strikes to make the count 3 and 2. Robinson hits the next pitch, high into right field but Singleton is under it. Hart loiters around third, waits for Singleton to make the catch, tags up and races for home. The throw comes in and Hart slides. Safe! Tied game.
I can't bear to watch as Frisella faces Rocky Colavito next. Colavito is third in NL Home runs this year with 38. Frisella again throws three balls. The fourth pitch Colavito doesn't watch, smashing it straight over the left field fence for a walk-off win. Giants 6-5
W: Randy Moffitt (5-0) L: Danny Frisella (0-3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the clubhouse after the game Gil locks out the press and tears into the players. Normally quiet and soft-spoken, I've never heard him shout and swear so much. I make myself scarce, paying a visit to my old friend Giants GM Chub Feeney.
Twenty minutes later a Giants employee rushes up and tells me Gil has collapsed. The trainers are doing what they can but an ambulance is on the way. I rush down to the locker room, frantic press outside asking me what's happening. I have no idea and even I'm not allowed in to find out. The ambulance arrives and Gil is rushed away. I don't see him but I hear what happened.
After finishing off his rant by kicking over a bat bin he stormed, purple-faced, into the trainer's room. Slamming the door behind him he clutched his chest in front of an astonished Gus Mauch.
At the moment it looks extremely serious. Very worrying. I'm heading down to the hospital to await more news.

[kevarms]

The players and most of the coaching staff headed to the airport for the flight back to New York. Rube Walker and Joe Pignatano stayed with me at the hospital as we waited to find out what was happening.
Rube and Joe had been team-mates of Gil with the Dodgers and been part of his coaching staff with the Senators. He had brought them with him when he came to us. They were shaken at what had happened to their friend.
"Christ, this just can't be happening," said Joe, shaking his head.
"You know how many times I told him about those **** cigarettes?" said Rube, "He just didn't listen."
"It was that ******* ump. That's what set him off."
"That's horse-**** Joe. Sixty a day he smokes. Now look at him."

Just then a doctor interrupted. It was bad news. Gil had suffered a minor heart attack. He was stable but in intensive care. He wouldn't be going anywhere for quite a while.
I called his wife in Brooklyn. She was understandably distraught. It was the early hours of the morning but I told her I would arrange for her to fly out to San Francisco first thing next day. There wasn't much else I could do here. We weren't even allowed to go in and see Gil. He was a tough guy. We just hoped he was tough enough to pull through.

[kevarms]

Arriving back in New York, the team had an off day. We arranged for Rube Walker to stand in for Gil for the time being. Meanwhile, last night

Frank Howard went 2 for 5, striking out twice

Today he hit HR #59
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 26-28
Houston Astros (95-58) @ New York Mets (72-78)

Once all the players had arrived at the clubhouse we held a team meeting. They only knew what they had learned through the press and on the grapevine.

"Fellas," I began, "Gil is going to be okay. He suffered a heart attack as you're probably aware. But it was a minor one as they go. I spoke to the doctors earlier and he will be alright. He just needs to rest and take it easy."
I looked around the locker room. Normally rowdy, now it was more like a church as the players took in what I was saying.
"He'll be back, but not until next season. Rube here will take over the reins and we need to keep focussed. Gil thought we could get to .500 and I think we still can. That's all from me. Rube?"
Rube stepped forward and clapped his hands together. Then he called out, "C'mon fellas, let's do this for Gil."


September 26: Tom Seaver comes out on top of a pitching duel with Milt Pappas. The Astros ace gives up only three hits while Seaver fans eight on the way to a complete game shutout. A Mickey Stanley run batted in by Ty Cline in the second inning is enough to decided the game. Mets 1-0
W: Tom Seaver (15-9) L: Milt Pappas (13-12)

Frank Howard goes 0 for 3 against the Giants

September 27: Both offenses struggle again. The Astros take the lead but we come back immediately. The score is tied 1-1 at the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and Bill Freehan on second, Jesus Alou comes to the plate. He fouls a pitch off then hits a long flyball into deep left field. Bob Allison is under it, glove waiting and the ball bounces out. He scrambles for the ball but Freehan has already scored. Mets 2-1
W: Dick Selma (9-5) L: Dave Giusti (10-7)

Frank Howard goes 0 for 4 with a walk agains the Giants

September 28: Mickey Stanley hits THREE home runs to leave the Astros defense shell-shocked. Stanley’s feat overshadows Don Cardwell’s complete game giving up only five hits and a walk. Mets 13-2
W: Don Cardwell (12-12) L: Mike Cuellar (21-11)

Frank Howard goes 3 for 4 with a double, two singles and two runs scored (Hank Aaron hits two homers)


September 29-October 1
New York Mets (75-78) @ Philadelphia Phillies (76-74)

September 29: I'm astonished three times in this game. Astonishment 1: Rube starts with Jim McAndrew. Astonishment 2: McAndrew pitches nine innings of excellent ball. Astonishment 3: McAndrew gets the first win of his career. Mets 3-2
W: Jim McAndrew (1-2) L: Chris Short (12-11)

Frank Howard is intentionally walked four times by Cub Fergie Jenkins.

September 30: A fifth straight win is just beyond us.. With a 5-1 lead in the seventh, Tom Seaver suffers a meltdown and gives up five scrappy runs. Phillies 6-5
W: Bill Wilson (6-9) L: Tug McGraw (7-10) S: Al Raffo (3)

Frank Howard hits HR #60!!!!!

[CatKnight]

Well, congrats to Howard...and to the Mets! This year may end on a down note, but it IS the best season ever, and next year they should be able to make at least a credible performance.

[3RunHomer]

Yes, good for Howard. I'm curious -- how's Billy Williams doing with homers? He mashed 75 (if I remember correctly) one season for the Cubs during my sim.