David Lynch
November 18, 2004
This game and double header is one that I will never forget so long as I live. I was 18 years old and my parents got me tickets to see the game because I wanted so badly to see Mark McGwire on his quest to break Maris' record.

They got me field level seats on the first base side and boy was I in for a treat. McGwire hit numbers 50 and 51 and I can still see him rounding first base after he hit number 50, pumping his right fist in the air as he ran by. He knew (at the time) that he was the first player in MLB history to hit 50 or more home runs in 3 consecutive seasons.

When I meet fellow Mets fans who say they were at this game though, there is always something that they seem to forget. Mike Piazza gave McGwire a moment for pause as if to say, ya, well I can hit 'em out too. Piazza had a MONSTER shot in the second game of the double header past the visitor's bullpen in left field that went over the trees behind the dugout. I can't remember if it left the stadium, but it was certainly the closest I've ever seen anyone do it at Shea Stadium. I remember thinking to myself, "Ya, eat some humble pie Mark, you're not quite there yet."

murphy
August 18, 2005
I traded in a ticket from a previous rain-out to see this double header. The Mets and Cards were playing back-to-back double headers on Thursday and Friday. Most will remember Game 1 as McGwire hit his 50th and Willie Blair had his best game as a Met.

However, I remember Game 2 more clearly for 2 reasons:
1. After a horrendous start to the game, including serving up a monster blast to McGwire right down the left-field line, Rick Reed battled the Cards and refused to lose. He gave the Mets offense a chance to get the win instead of collapsing, which he easily could have done. Reed was a warrior that day.

2. Piazza's monster of a home run over the bleachers in left. It was one of the most majestic shots I've ever seen (only his shot off of Mike Hampton at Shea which hit the top of the TV camera stand in center sticks in my mind as a more beautiful home run).

Dave VW
February 24, 2024
Thanks to David and murphy for sharing those stories. Indeed, Reed looked like he was headed for an early exit, allowing 4 runs -- including 2 homers -- over the first 3 innings. The 2nd inning was particularly painful, as the Cardinals had runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and pitcher Darren Oliver at the plate in a bunting situation. On a failed bunt attempt, Piazza caught Fernando Tatis trying to steal home, but for some reason chose to chase him all the way back to 3B instead of throwing to Alfonzo covering. Tatis was safe, and the runner on 1st moved up to 2nd on the play. Then, after Oliver struck out, Placido Polanco hit a sinking liner to LF that Tony Phillips appeared to catch, but Angel Hernandez, umpiring at third, called it a trap and 2 runs scored. To my shock, replays showed Angel got the call right. I guess even a blind mouse finds a piece of cheese from time to time.

Piazza brought the Mets to within a run with the aforementioned monstrous 2-run home run in the 4th that cleared the visitors' bullpen. He was booed pretty noticeably after grounding out in his first at-bat, so I'm sure he put some extra mustard on the swing to try to silence the critics in the crowd. I have to say, the fans were very fickle towards Mike around this time, booing him after every out but going bonkers when he got a hit or came to the plate in a big spot. Unfortunately, that's the type of treatment reserved only for those who can meet the greatest of expectations.

Outside of a walk to McGwire in the 5th, Reed retired the final 15 batters he faced. Then a Rey Ordonez RBI double and a Phillips RBI groundout gave the Mets the lead in the 7th. Turk Wendell retired all 6 batters he faced across the 8th and 9th innings to pick up his second save of the year.

As a sidenote, McGwire's HR in this game was also the 400th of his career. And he also stole his only base of the season in this game too.