1965 Timeline

Mets Rewind Timeline

1965

The attempt to add stars past their prime to draw more fans to the ballpark including Yogi Berra and Warren Spahn, ended almost as quickly as it started. Berra retired after nine at-bats and Spahn was traded in June. Casey Stengel also retired at mid-season after breaking his hip. He was replaced by Wes Westrum, but it didn’t help. The 1965 Mets compiled a 50–112 record and finished in last place in the 10-team National League.

January 6

Mets sign Kranepool

The New York Mets signed Ed Kranepool to a one-year deal – from $8,000 to $12,000 -- for the 1965 season. In addition, Kranepool handed over his uniform No. 21 to incoming veteran Warren Spahn and received the No. 7, which he became best known for wearing until his retirement after the 1980 season.

March 21

Mets pitchers combine for spring no-hitter

In an exhibition game, Gary Kroll and Gordie Richardson combined to keep Pittsburgh hitless for nine-innings in the Mets' 6–0 win in St. Petersburg. The first no-hitter thrown during the regular season in franchise history won't occur until 2012, when Johan Santana accomplishes the feat against St. Louis.

April 24

Stengel wins 3,000th career game as manager

Casey Stengel wins his 3,000th game as a manager when his Amazin' Mets score three runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat San Francisco at Candlestick Park, 7-6.

April 28

Nelson broadcast from Astrodome ceiling

Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson and a radio engineer climb into the Astrodome's gondola and are hoisted 208 feet above second base to broadcast the game. The umpiring crew determines that any ball hitting the pair will be in play, since an existing ground rule also calls a ball hitting any part of the dome is also in play.

May 5

Bunning outduels Spahn at Shea

In a match-up of eventual Hall of Famers at Shea Stadium, Phillies' Jim Bunning beats the Mets, 1-0, for his sixth straight complete-game victory over the New Yorkers. The Philadelphia starter provides the game's lone run with a sixth-inning lead-off solo homer run off southpaw Warren Spahn, who also goes distance, giving up just four hits.

May 9

Berra Plays In Final Game

Yogi Berra started behind the plate for the New York Mets. It would be his final game of his playing career. After going 0-for-4, striking out four times against Atlanta Braves starter Tony Cloninger, Berra knew he was done. It was only the second time on his 19-year career that he struck out four times in a game.

June 8

Mets select Les Rohr draft

In the inaugural free-agent draft of high school and college players, the Mets' first pick is southpaw Les Rohr, who due to an arm injury compiles only a 2-3 career mark pitching for the team in parts of three seasons. Later in the day, New York makes a better choice, selecting future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in the eighth round.

June 13

Swoboda breaks franchise HR mark

Ron Swoboda breaks the franchise record for home runs by a rookie when he hit a three-run HR off Dick Ellsworth in the first inning, leading the Mets to a 3-2 win over Chicago Cubs. Swoboda’s HR breaks Jim Hickman’s mark (13), established in 1962.

June 14

Maloney K's 18 Mets

Jim Maloney strikes out 18 and no-hits the Mets for 10 innings before Johnny Lewis hits an 11th inning home run to give the Mets a 1-0 win.

July 24

Stengel fractures hip, replaced by Westrum

Casey Stengel falls and fractured his hip in a local New York watering hole. The watched the next day’s game from his hospital bed. The Mets replaced Stengel with interim manager Wes Westrum. Stengel officially retired on August 30 saying, “I had hoped to do better, but it didn’t work out that way.”