Schwartz: Mookie, Mets Set To Party Like It's 1986
By Peter Schwartz
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"He struck him out! Struck him out! The Mets have won the World Series!"
-- Bob Murphy, Oct. 27, 1986
After Marty Barrett struck out swinging and Jesse Orosco jumped around, went down to his knees and lifted both arms into the air, the Mets were world champions for the second time in franchise history.
Shea Stadium erupted with joy as the team and its fans were on top of the baseball world following an 8-5 win over the Red Sox in Game 7.
For many people, it might be hard to fathom that this magical amazin' moment happened 30 years ago.
"It's a little tough to believe," said Mookie Wilson, an outfielder on the 1986 Mets. "But it's here."
What is here is "1986 Weekend," a three-day celebration of the last Mets team to win a world title. When the Mets host the Dodgers this weekend at Citi Field, the organization is throwing a party 30 years in the making.
It starts with Free Shirt Friday, as all fans in attendance will receive a 1986 replica jersey, with the first pitch against the Dodgers set for 7:10 p.m. Then on Saturday, there will be an on-field pregame ceremony at 6:15 p.m. recognizing members of the championship team.
Many players from that team have gotten together over the years at memorabilia shows and autograph signings, but this ceremony is going to be special.
"This is different because we're going to be gathering in a location that we're all familiar with and that's a ballpark," said Wilson. "It's going to be interesting to see all the guys and how they react."
The weekend wraps up Sunday night. The first 15,000 fans to the 8 p.m. game against the Dodgers will receive a replica 1986 world championship ring while the players will wear 1986 replica jerseys. There will be Family Sunday activities next to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda from 6 to 8 p.m. and a postgame Mr. Met Dash, as kids 12 and under can run the bases, weather permitting.
When you think back to the 1986 World Series, there would not have been the celebration that followed Game 7 had there not been a comeback of epic proportions in Game 6 after the Red Sox had scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning to take a 5-3 lead. Boston was up three games to two and was three outs away from winning the World Series.
Wally Backman popped out to start the bottom of the 10th, and then Keith Hernandez flew out to center field. After 108 wins and a thrilling NLCS win over the Astros, the Mets' season was on the brink.
"I don't think that anyone can deny that things weren't looking good for us at that point," said Wilson. "And then we start by making two outs, so there really wasn't a whole lot of hope there. Things weren't looking too good, and we weren't feeling that good, either."
But then Gary Carter singled to keep the Mets alive. Kevin Mitchell followed with a single of his own. And then Ray Knight singled home Carter to make it a 5-4 game while Mitchell scooted around to third.
Red Sox manager John McNamara brought in Bob Stanley to pitch to Wilson, and on a 2-2 offering, Stanley threw a wild pitch bringing home Mitchell with the game-tying run. After Wilson fouled off a couple of pitches, he hit a grounder to first that went through the legs of Bill Buckner, as Knight scored the winning run.
The Mets had evened the World Series at three games apiece with a 6-5 win. The Amazins were on life support, but the Red Sox couldn't seal the deal.
"I tell people all the time that it's not so much what we did but what the Red Sox couldn't do," said Wilson. "They couldn't put us away. They gave us life."
Buckner was a four-letter world in Boston for many years, but it's important to note that the Red Sox still had a chance to win Game 7 and they didn't, so Buckner had some help from his teammates in letting the series slip away. Also, there are those who believe that Wilson would have been safe at first base anyway had the ball not gone through Buckner's legs.
Would he have beaten Buckner to the bag?
"Yeah, I think I would have," said Wilson. "I've definitely come to the conclusion that even if he fielded the ball, the odds were definitely in my favor."
Wilson figures to get one of the biggest ovations Saturday when he is introduced during the ceremony at Citi Field. There should also be big cheers for Hernandez, Ron Darling, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Knight and so many others.
A dream came true for the Mets 30 years ago, and so many of those memories will be brought back this weekend. I'm sure Carter will be looking down on Citi Field and on the parking lot where Shea Stadium used to be, and there will be a giant smile on his face.
For tickets to "1986 Weekend," call 718-507-TIXX or visit http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ticketing/1986_anniversary.jsp.
Follow Pete on Twitter at @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow the New York Mets @Mets.
