October 15, 1969: Mets 5, Orioles 3
Despite the days of being able to bet on sports and casino games online with ease still being far away, nearly everyone recognized Baltimore as the heavy betting favorites in the 1969 World Series. But after dropping Game 1, it was the underdog Mets that reeled off four straight wins for their first championship.
The jewel of the series was Game 4. In the bottom of the 10th, pinch runner Rod Gaspar would score the winning run and give the Mets a commanding 3-1 series lead.
October 15, 1986: Mets 7, Astros 6
Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS against the Astros was truly one for the books. Falling behind 3-0 at the Astrodome in the first inning, the Mets were unable to score until a top of the 9th comeback sent the game to extras.
There, seven more frames were needed to decide a pennant winner. Tied 4-4 in the top of the 16th, the Mets managed to scrape together three runs. Houston would score two in the bottom, their comeback ultimately falling short.
October 25, 1986: Mets 6, Red Sox 5
In a game that probably needs no introduction, Boston held a 5-3 lead in the 10th inning of the 86 World Series. Usually in such a situation, Boston manager John McNamara replaced aging first baseman Bill Buckner for the more defensively-stout Dave Stapleton.
This time McNamara didn’t, a move that proved to be fatal for Boston. Twice being a strike away from losing the series, the Mets battled back to tie it 5-5. Mookie Wilson then hit a dribbler down the first base line that Buckner saw pass through his legs, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run and the Mets to eventually win the World Series.
September 21, 2001: Mets 3, Braves 2
The first outdoor sporting event in New York since 9/11 was inconsequential in the context of the baseball season, but its larger importance was immeasurable. Amid tributes to all those that served, sacrificed, and lost on that tragic day, the Mets provided a positive reason for New Yorkers to come together.
Down 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th, Mike Piazza hit a go-ahead home run that was as loud as any ever hit in Shea Stadium. The Mets held on to win and for at least moment, the world felt normal once again.
June 1, 2012: Mets 8, Cardinals 0
The days of being able to bet on sports online with ease were on the rise in 2012 and baseball is a popular sport on most sports betting sites. However, sports bettors were surprised because despite having pitching legends like Ryan, Seaver, Cone, and Gooden wear their jersey, the Mets had played over 8,000 games and 50 years of baseball without throwing a no-hitter. In the middle of the 2012 regular season, Johan Santana finally put an end to that piece of bar trivia.
In the historical performance, Santana threw a career-high 134 pitches and struck out eight. The 8-0 victory was not without drama, including a controversial foul ball call in the 6th and a clutch catch by Mike Baxter in the 7th that helped preserve the no-no.
