âA great and insightfulâ (Keith Hernandez, New York Mets legend and broadcaster) New York Times bestselling account of an iconic team in baseball history: the 1969 New York Metsâa last-place team that turned it all around in just one seasonâtold by â69 Mets outfielder Art Shamsky, Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, and other teammates who reminisce about that legendary season and their enduring bonds decades later.
The New York Mets franchise began in 1962 and the team finished in last place nearly every year. When the 1969 season began, fans werenât expecting much from âthe Lovable Losers.â But as the season progressed, the Mets inched closer to first place and then eventually clinched the National League pennant. They were underdogs against the formidable Baltimore Orioles, but beat them in five games to become world champions. No one had predicted it. In fact, fans could hardly believe it happened. Suddenly they were âthe Miracle Mets.â
Playing right field for the â69 Mets was Art Shamsky, who had stayed in touch with his former teammates over the years. He hoped to get together with star pitcher Tom Seaver (who would win the Cy Young award as the best pitcher in the league in 1969 and go on to become the first Met elected to the Hall of Fame), but Seaver was ailing and could not travel. So, Shamsky organized a visit to âTom Terrificâ in California, accompanied by the #2 pitcher, Jerry Koosman, outfielder Ron Swoboda, and shortstop Bud Harrelson. Together they recalled the highlights of that amazing season as they reminisced about what changed the Metsâ fortunes in 1969.
In this âenjoyable tale of a storybook seasonâ (Kirkus Reviews), and with the help of sportswriter Erik Sherman, Shamsky has written the ârevealingâ (New York Newsday) After the Miracle for the 1969 Mets. âThis heartfelt, nostalgic memoir will delight baseball fans of all ages and allegiancesâ (Publishers Weekly). Itâs a book that every Mets fan must own.