This day in NY sports history: Oct. 11, 2000

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Sunday, Oct. 17, 1999

Ventura hits "grand slam single"

A new term was entered into the baseball lexicon after Robin Ventura hit a walk-off "grand slam single" in the bottom of the 15th inning to give the Mets a 4-3 win over the Braves in Game 5 of the 1999 National League Championship Series at Shea Stadium. After Octavio Dotel, the ninth Met pitcher of the night, allowed a go-ahead RBI-triple to Keith Lockhart in the top of the inning, Todd Pratt drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game and set the stage for Ventura. With heavy rain falling, Ventura sent a 2-and-1 pitch from Kevin McGlinchy over the right-centerfield fence and was immediately mobbed by teammates between first and second base, preventing him from reaching home. Roger Cedeno was the only Met to cross the plate for the winning run and Ventura was credited with what is arguably the longest single in baseball history.