1968 Timeline

Mets Rewind Timeline

1968

In 1968, the New York Mets recorded their best record in franchise history (73-89), it was a 12-win improvement from the previous season, giving fans a reason for hope as a talented, youthful group of players began to emerge.

April 15

Mets fall to Astros in 24 innings

The Astros defeat the Mets in 24 innings, 1-0, making it the longest scoreless game in major league history. The six-hour and six-minute contest, in which each team had 79 at-bats and 11 hits, ends when Bob Aspromonte's grounder goes through the legs of shortstop Al Weis, scoring Norm Miller from third base with one out.

April 17

Koosman KO's Giants to first home opener

The Mets win their first home opener in franchise history as Jerry Koosman shuts out Giants, 3-0, before a crowd of 52,079.

May 2

Harrelson's on-deck oddity

Bud Harrelson becomes the first player in baseball history to gain a 3-0 ball-strike count advantage from the on-deck circle when umpire Ed Vargo penalizes Phillies reliever John Boozer for going to his mouth inside the 18-foot circle of the mound. Philadelphia manager Gene Mauch, incensed about the ball one call, orders his pitcher to do it again for ball two, and then again for ball three, which promptly gets his right-hander and himself thrown out of the game, a 3-0 loss to New York at Shea Stadium.

May 6

Sports Illustrated: Lights in the Met cellar

In the first three weeks of the 1968 National League season the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, naturally, drew plenty of attention, but, unnaturally, so did the New York Mets, perhaps more attention than any other team ... http://www.si.com/vault/1968/05/06/610713/lights-in-the-met-cellar

May 12

Mets play 1,000th game in franchise history

The Mets play their 1000th game in franchise history, losing to Chicago at Wrigley Field in the first game of a doubleheader, 4-3. The Mets compiled a 332-664 record along with four games that ended in a tie during the span, but start their next 1000 games of match ups with a resounding 10-0 rout of the Cubs in the nightcap.

June 8

Bat Day game postponed

Bat Day at Candlestick Park is postponed when the Mets refuse to play their scheduled game in San Francisco, out of respect for recently assassinated New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, whose funeral is being held today. Prompted by baseball commissioner William Eckert's edict to cancel games only taking place in New York and Washington, the team, led by first baseman Ed Kranepool, had voted to take this action, even under the threat of forfeiting the contest, a decision that is fully supported by manager Gil Hodges and the organization.