World Series Connections: The ’69 and ’86 Mets

With the 25th anniversary of the 1986 Mets season now over, here are some interesting World Series connections between the ’86 team and the ’69 Miracle Mets:

The New York Mets beat the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series and the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series.

The star of the 1969 Mets was Tom Seaver. Seaver spent his last days in uniform for the Red Sox in the ’86 World Series, even though he didn’t pitch.

The ’69 Mets righthanded ace in the bullpen was Ron Taylor who had 13 saves (one more than lefty teammate Tug McGraw). The ’86 Mets righthanded ace in the bullpen was Roger McDowell who had 22 saves (one more save than lefty teammate Jesse Orosco).
Taylor and McDowell both wore #42.

The 1969 World Series MVP was Donn Clendenon. The 1986 World Series MVP was Ray Knight.
They both wore #22.

The ’69 Mets’ starting shortstop was Bud Harrelson (395 AB, 0 HR, 1 SB). The ’86 Mets’ starting shortstop was Rafael Santana (394 AB, 1 HR, 0 SB).
They both wore #3.

’86 Mets executive vice-president and general manager Frank Cashen was the executive vice-president and general manager of the ’69 Orioles.

The ’69 Mets won their 3rd game of the Series on an error by Orioles pitcher Pete Richert in the bottom of the 10th. The ’86 Mets won their 3rd game of the series on an error by Bill Buckner in the bottom of the 10th.

After the Orioles took an early 3-0 lead on two homers, the Mets came back and clinched the ’69 World Series with a 5-3 win. After the Red Sox took an early 3-0 lead on two homers, the Mets came back and clinched the ’86 World Series with an 8-5 win.

And finally, Orioles second baseman Davey Johnson made the final out of the ’69 World Series. Jerry Koosman threw the final pitch for the Mets. Nine years later, Koosman was traded to the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Jesse Orosco. Eight years after that, Orosco threw the final pitch of the ’86 World Series for the Mets.
His manager was Davey Johnson.


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