METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE OCTOBER 4, 1972 GAME:
Paul S
April 23, 2003
I remember this as being the 1st game I ever watched. I was 6 years old and when the game was over I tried to find out when the next game was only to learn it was the last game of the season.The only specific memory I have of the game is Jon Matlack striking out the side in one of the innings.
Bob P
April 23, 2003
Paul, I went on retrosheet.org to try to help you figure out the details of Matlack's strikeouts, but unfortunately it told me that Jon did not strike out the side in any of the innings. Matlack finished the game with 9 strikeouts. He did strike out two in the second, and two in the fifth, but never three in one inning. Other facts about this game that may jar your memory: The Expos took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when former Yankee Ron Woods grounded into a DP with first and third and none out. The Mets scored all their runs in the 6th. Jim Fregosi was safe at second on an error by Tim Foli. Tommie Agee grounded out, moving Fregosi to third, and Fregosi scored on a wild pitch by Expos starter Balor Moore. Cleon followed with a walk, and then Jim Beauchamp hit a two run homer to give the Mets a 3-1 lead. The Expos threatened in the bottom of the ninth. With one out Woods and Coco Laboy singled, but Tug McGraw struck out pinch hitter Ken Singleton and got John Boccabella to pop out. Wow, I mentioned two classic original Expos in one paragraph! It's easy to see why you have no other memories of this game--not a whole lot happened! The Mets finished the season that started with the death of Gil Hodges and a strike/lockout as a third place team with an 83-73 record, 13.5 games behind the Pirates. It was the third straight year since their 1969 championship that they finished with 83 wins.
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