Thoughts Emanating From Mets At Reds June 1968

Oh how nice (ode to Gallery’s 1972 hit “It’s So Nice To Be With You”), to recall via that great medium, radio, a Mets at Reds June 24, 1968 tilt.

Noteworthy is the Reds superb starting lineup with non “Machine” (i.e. Big Red, and I do not mean the gum), players Vada Pinson, Alex Johnson and that year’s N.L. All-Star second sacker (already having been determined for the game over two weeks later), Tommy Helms.

Add “The Bopper,” (reserving Big for the three, father, son and holy ghost if you will) a part of a (70-30) ’70 start when most tilts were at hitter friendly, Crosley Field.

The Mets had that year’s starting catcher, Jerry Grote and surely Jerry Koosman, that night’s starter and (11-2) going in, made the squad.

It is noteworthy that on that Monday night, Dennis McLain (12-2) pitched for eventual ’68 title winning, Detroit (Tigers).

He would finish (31-6) in the last completely pure “reg” (the 25 years of “had to finish first in the division” were fine) and (1-2) in the World Series.

The next season Jerry Koosman was (2-0) in the World series, including the clinching World Series win in a Thursday afternoon game 5.

A year earlier, the great Mickey Lolich, who just might be discussing a certain game with John Costas, in hopefully a better place, won a #7 Thursday afternoon game, his third win of the ’68 World Series, yielding the “Tigs,” a first crown in 23 “Willie Horton” years.

Willie Horton is pictured above.