WS-Game 7: “Franchise Finishes off Foe”

Game 7 – Memorial Stadium

This is it, winner takes all. Baltimore starts Jim Hardin and New York counters with Tom Seaver and folks we have a pitching classic. In the third after Jim Hardin strikes out his counterpart Tom Seaver to start the inning he stumbles and walks Cleon Jones, walks Ed Charles and then hits Jerry Grote to load the bases. Art Shamsky then flies to center scoring Cleon Jones. The damage is been done and the Mets are up 1-0. Don Buford responds with a stand up double off the wall to left center. Tom Seaver eliminates the Orioles threat as Paul Blair flies out to left center, Frank Robinson is left swinging at air and Boog Powell flies out.   The 4th brought 3 up and 3 down. In the fifth as Tom Seaver bats he strikes out but Andy Etchebarren can't handle it and Tom Seaver makes it safely to 1st. Jim Hardin bears down gets Cleon Jones to hit it to Brooks Robinson who flings it to Davey Johnson putting out Tom Seaver on the force and turns it to Boog Powell for the double play. Ed Charles then walks, Jerry Grote singles between 1st and 2nd and Art Shamsky walks. Jim Hardin is faced with bases loaded and gets Ken Boswell to line to second. Down 1-0 that is the end of the line for Jim Hardin who is replaced by a pinch hitter in a 3 up 3 down bottom of the 5th. Wally Bunker takes to the mound and walks Ron Swoboda, JC Martin singles through the hole between 1st and 2nd. Bud Harrleson hits it to Boog Powell who turns it Davey Johnson and returns it to Boog Powell for the double play. With a runner on 3rd and a 1 run game Manager Chisholm elects to let Tom Seaver bat so he can continue to pitch and he grounds out. Tom Seaver in turn tosses a 3 up 3 down. It remains 1-0 Mets after 6.  With 1 out in the 7th Ed ‘ I hate” Charles doubles off the wall, and Jerry Grote grounds out to Wally Bunker. Art Shamsky comes to the plate and hits a hard one between Brooks Robinson and Mark Belanger scoring Ed ‘I hate’ Charles. Ken Boswell singles  to right, Wally Bunker sensing danger gets Ron Swoboda to fly out. Mets lead 2-0. Tom Seaver delivers 3 up and 3 down in the 7th and 8th. Top of the ninth Eddie Watt comes to the mound for the Orioles and the Mets go 3 up and 3 down. Bottom of the 9th do or die for the Orioles. New York gets Ron Taylor and Don Shaw up in the bullpen but send Tom Seaver to the mound for the 9th. Paul Blair flies out, Frank Robinson goes down swinging. Two out and Boog Powell draws a walk. Brooks Robinson steps to the plate as the tying run. A hush goes over the crowd will Tom Seaver face Brooks Robinson or do the Mets go to the bullpen. They stay with Tom Seaver and  Brooks Robinson makes contact as the ball comes off the bat it reaches JC Martin at first who steps on the bag. 

The Amazin’s win 2-0.  It was only fitting that Tom Seaver who that started this long run with a complete game win in the qualifier against the Phillies would be the World Series Winning pitcher and Game MVP in a classic complete  3 hit game  shutout with 6Ks. In a touch of class the team asked the only remaining two from the 62 Mets Ed Kranepool and Al Jackson to receive the World Series trophy.
--submitted by Robert Chisholm--