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| Rick Reed, moments before striking out Derrek Lee to pitch just the 15th Perfect Game in MLB history. |
Rick Reed has just thrown the 15th perfect game in Major League history. Reed dominated every batter, walking none, firing strikes 6 strikes and delivering what is now the second no-no in the 97' Mets season.
Dave Mlicki pitched a no-no opening day versus San Francisco's vaunted lineup in what was the 2nd opening day no-hitter in major league history. Now Reed joins the sacred list of people who achieved PERFECTION. "This is bar-none, the greatest day of my entire life. I can't even believe it, this is..... I dont even know what to say" Reed said struggling to get out words as Olerud sprayed beer over his teammate.
Mets manager Eric Graham joined in the celebration. "I didn't feel it was right to participate last time during during the no-no, it was his night [Mlicki], but this is something you might never see again. I wanted to be a part of it" Graham said in the clubhouse. "I'll never forget this...what a magical season, we werent given a chance in hell to do anything this season, picked to finish 3rd at best in our own division. Look at us now, a no hitter and a perfect game, best record in the national league- who's laughing now? This is fuckin' incredible!!!! FUCKING AMAZING GOD DAMNIT perfect fucking game!!!"
Reed gave the home town fans an evening that they'll never forget. The New York (NL) players and coaches started to leave Reed alone with his thoughts after the game reached the 7th inning. By the time the 9th inning rolled around, you could hear a pin drop every time he went to his wind-up - and an explosion after every out. Neither team managed to score after the 2nd inning.
Tim Worrell(5-5) was the losing pitcher. 'I gave it everything I had. It's probably the greatest day of my life,' Reed said. 'I was out there focusing on my catcher's glove, that's all. I just concentrated on pitching my game.'
The Mets own the best record in the National League at 80-48, on their way to their first post-season appearance since 1988 when they fell victim to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a heartbreaking 7 game series.
"Cherish this moment fans..... whatever happens down the road, take this memory with you, you witnessed history here tonight" Graham said pumping his fist in the air, smiling ear to ear. "We have already had a two massive celebrations this year so far, the no-no, this....and we look to keep this thing rolling deep into October" Graham offered one bold claim before closing the door to the media to let the team celebrate: "This is for all the fans that have been so patient for the last 8 years, this season, this team, lets do this.....this is our year, and we're gonna show the world that the Mets are back"
Strat-O-Matic Report
BOXSCORE: 1997 San Diego Padres At 1997 New York (NL) Mets 8/22/1997 Padres AB R H RBI AVG Mets AB R H RBI AVG Q.Veras 2B 3 0 0 0 .226 B.McRae CF 4 1 1 2 .238 S.Finley CF 3 0 0 0 .261 E.Alfonzo 3B 5 1 1 1 .338 T.Gwynn RF 3 0 0 0 .358 J.Olerud 1B 2 1 1 0 .316 K.Caminiti 3B 3 0 0 0 .327 T.Hundley C 2 1 2 2 .326 W.Joyner 1B 3 0 0 0 .342 B-A.Castillo PR,C 2 0 0 0 .143 E-C.Shipley 1B 0 0 0 0 .273 B.Huskey RF 4 0 1 0 .245 G.Vaughn LF 3 0 0 0 .197 B.Gilkey LF 3 1 1 0 .259 C.Gomez SS 3 0 0 0 .251 D-C.Everett PR,LF 0 0 0 0 .211 J.Flaherty C 3 0 0 0 .278 C.Baerga 2B 0 0 0 0 .291 T.Worrell P 0 0 0 0 .176 A-L.Lopez PR,2B 3 1 2 0 .282 S.Bergman P 1 0 0 0 .087 R.Ordonez SS 4 1 1 1 .228 P.Smith P 0 0 0 0 .100 R.Reed P 3 0 0 1 .161 C-R.Henderson PH 1 0 0 0 .296 D.Bochtler P 0 0 0 0 .000 F-D.Lee PH 1 0 0 0 .373 -- -- -- --- -- -- -- --- Totals 27 0 0 0 Totals 32 7 10 7 A-Pinch Ran For Baerga In 2nd Inning B-Pinch Ran For Hundley In 4th Inning C-Pinch Hit For Smith In 6th Inning D-Pinch Ran For Gilkey In 7th Inning E-Subbed Defensively (1B) For Joyner In 8th Inning F-Pinch Hit For Bochtler In 9th Inning INJURY: Carlos Baerga INJURED (for 2 more games) in 2nd inning INJURY: Todd Hundley INJURED (for 3 more games) in 4th inning INJURY: Bernard Gilkey INJURED (for 7 more games) in 7th inning INJURY: Wally Joyner INJURED (for 6 more games) in 8th inning Padres.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 2 Mets............ 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 7 10 0 Padres (60-69) IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA SCORESHEET T.Worrell LOSS(5-5) 1 2/3 5 6 6 0 1 0 42 6.69 A1 B2 S.Bergman 2 2/3 5 1 1 1 0 0 52 4.96 B3 C7 P.Smith 0 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 3.79 C8 C9 D.Bochtler 3 0 0 0 2 3 0 54 2.53 D1 Totals 8 10 7 7 3 4 0 Mets (80-48) IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA SCORESHEET R.Reed WIN(14-2) 9 0 0 0 0 6 0 94 2.92 A1 Totals 9 0 0 0 0 6 0 ATTENDANCE- 47,045 DATE- Friday, August 22nd 1997 TIME- Night WEATHER- Average T- 2:48 LEFT ON BASE- Padres: 0 Mets: 9 DOUBLE PLAYS- Padres: 1 Mets: 0 ERRORS- T.Gwynn, G.Vaughn DOUBLES- J.Olerud(34th), T.Hundley-2(30th) STOLEN BASES- B.McRae(19th), L.Lopez(6th) SACRIFICE HITS- R.Reed WALKS- J.Olerud-3 HIT BY PITCH- B.McRae, T.Hundley, B.Gilkey, C.Baerga STRIKE OUTS- Q.Veras, W.Joyner, G.Vaughn, C.Gomez-2, D.Lee, B.McRae, E.Alfonzo, B.Huskey, R.Reed GIDP- A.Castillo WILD PITCHES- S.Bergman
