1986, GAME 6
Game 6 of the ’86 World Series, and the New York Mets — trailing the Boston Red Sox three games to two — are done. It’s 5-3 in the bottom of the tenth, two outs, nobody on. Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez, who made the second out, was back in the clubhouse, cursing and smoking a cigarette. Utilityman Kevin Mitchell, pants off in the locker room, was on the phone with a travel agent, making plans to fly home to San Diego. A 108-win regular season for the Mets, down the drain. Then, for Mets fans, the following is not just a series of events in a baseball game. It’s the most beautiful poem ever written: Gary Carter singles. Kevin Mitchell puts his pants back on, and singles. Ray Knight singles, Carter scores, Mitchell to third. Bob Stanley wild pitch, Mitchell scores, tie game! Mookie Wilson dribbler to first — “Gets by Buckner!” yelled NBC announcer Vin Scully. The ball rolled through Buckner’s legs, Knight trampled home, holding his head in utter disbelief. Mets win, the hysteria almost crumples Shea Stadium into the ground. Two nights later, the Mets are champions.