Reversal of Misfortune...A Mets Dynasty

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The Mets coughed up an early lead as Nolan Ryan came unglued during a sixth-inning uprising that launched California to a 5-3 win in Game 1 of the 1983 World Series.

Disappointing outcome for New York, which coupled a leadoff home run by Rick Manning in the fourth with a two-run blast from Jim Rice in the sixth to build a 3-0 cuhsion.

That cushion burst in the bottom of the frame. Jim Ganter and Lloyd Moseby lined back-to-back singles before Ryan struck out Kent Hrbek. The Angels sent up left-handed PH Greg Walker, who delivered with an RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to 3-1.After Ryan issued his sixth walk (against seven strikeouts) to load the bases, Garth Iorg cleared 'em with a double to put the Halos in front, 4-3.

New York threatened to tie in the seventh when Juan Samuel singled, stole second and moved to third on a Manning ground out. However, Moseby ended the threat, robbing Robin Yount of extra bases with a diving catch in right center for the third out.

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Key hits from Robin Yount, George Brett and Juan Samuel supported Storm Davis as the Mets evened up the World Series at a game apiece via a 4-2 win over the Angels in Anaheim.

Yount and Brett laced back-to-back RBI doubles in the fifth to give New York a 3-1 lead. The Angels closed to within 3-2 before Samuel unloaded a solo homer in the ninth to tack on an insurance run.

Davis limited California to five hits over 6 1/3 innings to pick up the decision, with solid relief work from Tom Browning and Lee Smith.

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Bottom line...Mark Davis shoved, our offense has gone silent and hitting solo home runs is no way to go about winning a World Series.

Solo homers from Gary Carter and Robin Yount accounted for two of the mere four hits the Mets could produce in a 3-2 loss to California, which took a 2-1 lead in the series.

Mets are creating no traffic on the basepaths, making it virtually impossible to manufacture runs let alone score any.

Mike Scott didn't set the greatest tone, conceding a run in the top of the first to give the Angels a little energy on the road.

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Our offense has picked the worst time to become anemic. Gary Carter's solo home run with all Mets could muster in bowing to California, 5-1, in Game 4 of the 1983 World Series.

Angels will look to end it in Game 5 as Neil Allen gets the ball for the Halos oppositie Nolan Ryan in a rematch of Game 1, won by California.

Mets pitching has issued 17 walks in the four games and Dave Stewart helped that pattern, walking Tony Phillips to lead off the game, a pass cashed in by Lloyd Moseby, who delivered an RBI double for a 1-0 lead.

Carter belted his third home run of the post season to tie matters in the second but the Angels countered with three in the third. With the bases loaded and one out, opted to play infield in against Kent Hrbek, hoping for a hard ground ball we might parlay into a double play. Instead, Hrbek lifted a humpback line over Juan Samuel at second to score the go-ahead run. Stewart then walked in a run before Garth Iorg's sac fly made it 4-1.

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We finally create some traffic on the bases and experienced the payoff.

Jim Rice lashed a two-run double in the bottom of the first when the Mets were in desperate need of a response, Gary Carter unloaded his fourth long ball of the playoffs with a runner aboard in the sixth and Steve Garvey tacked on a three-run bomb in the seventh as the Mets seized an 8-4 triumph over the Angels.

The win sends the series back to Anaheim with the Halos holding a 3-2 edge.

Timely hits were a welcomed sight for Mets' fans as was Nolan Ryan once again grinding, going eight to pick up the win and avenge the Game 1 loss versus Neil Allen.

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The California Angels put us out of our World Series misery early, striking for five runs in the top of the first. And, despite the Mets clawing back to eventually tie the game, the stress applied to our bullpen throughout this series came back to haunt us.

Oddly enought, it began with a walk. Tom Browning, a key element out of the pen, gave us a yeoman effort after starter Storm Davis was shelled and lasted no more than an inning. However, his walk to Willie McGee in the bottom of the seventh - mere moments after the Mets had tied the game - gave way to Lloyd Moseby's two-run homer that vaulted the Halos to a 7-5 win and the World Series title.

The Mets offense wasn't the issue here, as we outhit California, 12-8. A solo homer by Ron Kittle was back by a two-run shot from Robin Yount that leveled the game at 5-5 and had the New York dugout in a frenzy.

It didn't last for long. Mets staffed issued 25 walks in the series compared to 14 by Halos, who didn't dispense one walk in the clincher.

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Long layoff...maybe the Soto homer yesterday inspired me to dive back into the Mets' Dynasty.

When last we left, the Mets had just dropped the 1983 World Series to the California Angels. In the interim, post-season honors were announced. Among them...

George Brett collected his third NL MVP. The numbers were more than impressive.


Robin Yount picked up a Silver Slugger Award as well as a Gold Glove for his play at SS.

Starter Dave Stewart, closers Jesse Orosco and Lee Smith and C John Wathan all won salary arbitration hearings while the arbitrator ruled in favor of the team in its case with 2B Rich Dauer.

Have some interesting trade pieces we can move in the next few weeks. Kirk Gibson? John Franco?

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With Nolan Ryan on the back nine of his career, it was imperative for us to lock up some of our younger rotation guys long term.

With that, the Mets came to terms with Storm Davis, Tom Browning and Frank Viola, instrumental pieces to complement Mike Scott , Dave Stewart, Dennis Martinez and Ryan. We'll mix and match to figure out our five-man with the remaining crew logging time out of the pen.

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Big names, big guns and future Hall of Famers dotted the top half of the '83 MLB Draft. But, sitting with the 26th pick in the first round, the Mets were simply observers as potential studs disappeared from their draft board.

Ultimately, the Amazins took a flyer on 18-year-old OF Felix Jose from the Dominican Republic at No. 26. Kid doesn't boast much power but can hit for average.



We landed 3B Lenny Harris and C Damon Berryhill in rounds 2 and 3, respectively, but overall, not much to get overly excited about with out selections. And, our farm system is in desperate need of star power for the future.

Make this a moment to reflect back on...the Seattle Mariners are coming.

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Here are your 1984 New York Mets