Notes From Baseball July And All 1973

Some “notes” yielded revelations and the esoteric, regarding the two New York baseball teams, both specifically on July 3 and 4th, 1973 and for that memorable baseball season.

Lighter once it is over: The Mets were in Montreal that July 3rd when I believe the power went off in the city. Ralph Kiner, the great home run hitter and one of the Mets broadcasters was in the hotel lobby when “the lights went out.”

During the famed November 9, 1965 blackout, Kiner was at the famed Toots Shor’s Restaurant talking with another baseball great, Monte Irvin.

In the first inning of an eventual (19-7) Expos win vs the last place Mets, once Expos player, Daniel “Rusty” Staub hit into a double play, T1, bases loaded none out that got 1 run, but surely was a negative result for the Mets.

The play was 4-6-3 with 2nd baseman Ron Hunt throwing to shortstop Tim Foli, who in turn threw to first sacker, Mike Jorgensen.

All 4 players involved played for both the Expos and Mets in their careers.

The Mets, though only (82-79), the worst record ever for a first place team, then a 1/4 “div” winner, went from last place to finish in first place.

Meanwhile the Yankees won (3-1) in a Tuesday afternoon tilt vs the Boston Red Sox that July 3rd.

Before what would be a tough Independence Day doubleheader loss to the Bo Sox, (2-1) and (1-0) Ray Culp 8 inns, Bob Veale 1 inning save and Roger Moret a 6 hit shutout in the nightcap), the Yankees were ahead by 3 and a fraction games in their “div”, all in the win column over the eventual A.L. East winning Baltimore Orioles.

The Mets ended play on July 3rd 1973, as stated in last place and I add 11 and a fraction, (ok 11 and a half) games out of first place, where they somehow ended the regular season.

Good memories flow when thinking about Ron Hunt, pictured above, most notably he being voted the starting National League second baseman in the 1964 All-Star Game, which was played in Hunt’s then home park, first year Shea Stadium.