This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Wednesday, July 9, 1969

Tom Seaver flirts with perfection

With one out in the ninth inning against the Cubs, Tom Seaver had a perfect game broken up by a Jim Qualls single to center. Seaver then induced two pop-ups to end the game, settling for a one-hitter in the Mets' 4-0 victory before 50,709 at Shea Stadium. The 24-year-old struck out 11 and improved to 14-3 on the year, but came just short of what would have been the franchise's first no-hitter. Seaver finished the season 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA and earned his first Cy Young award. He again came within two outs of a no-hitter with the Mets in 1972. He did accomplish the feat in 1978 while pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.