1986 Mets Tribute

Mark Herrmann: That harmless little grounder

The Mets and fate always have had an intense relationship.

1986 METS: THE REGULAR SEASON

In the beginning: Sweeping beauties

The Mets were anything but quiet in the first month of 1986. After manager Davey Johnson's brash spring training declaration that the team was going to "dominate" the National League East, the Mets had bull's-eyes on their backs. They also had chips on their shoulders.

1986 METS: THE REGULAR SEASON

The old brawl game: Fight Club founders

The Mets cruised through spring and early summer as their deep pitching staff piled up wins.

THE '86 METS: REGULAR SEASON

Wack job: Pitchers forced into OF duty

On July 22, the Mets were one out away from a 3-1 loss to the Reds when Cincinnati rightfielder Dave Parker dropped the potential final out, a fly ball to the warning track hit by Keith Hernandez, for a game-tying two-run error.

1986 METS: THE REGULAR SEASON

It's official: Fans storm field in clincher

There was only one thing left for the 1986 Mets to do as the season headed for the finish line: clinch the franchise's first National League East crown since 1973.

POSTSEASON

Eluding Scott was 6th sense for Mets

We remember so clearly, so deliciously, the sight of Jesse Orosco underhanding his glove into the night sky in exultation of the last out. We remember with a gasp and a skipped heartbeat how we saw the ball skip under Bill Buckner's mitt and between his feet.

1986 METS: MEET THE METS

No baseball on menu for restaurateur Backman

By now, Wally Backman thought he would be sitting in a big-league dugout, managing the Arizona Diamondbacks, using the fiery personality and win-at-all- costs mentality that made him a World Series champion with the 1986 Mets and a successful - make that very successful - minor-league manager.

1986 METS: MEET THE METS

Ojeda & Gedman: No losers in this friendship

In the public mind, Bob Ojeda and Rich Gedman are separated by positions, by leagues, by uniforms, and, most importantly, by winning and losing.

1986 METS: MEET THE METS

Dykstra still moves fast, and his stock is soaring

Lenny Dykstra batted .600 last month.

THE `986 METS

From mound to green, Sid could putt on show

Picture Sid Fernandez on a pitcher's mound. You can't help it, right? You see that body, that doughy frame, that ample backside. And that fastball that seemed to defy physics and rise as it came to the plate.