1965 Mets - Warren Spahn Has Got It Going On

The winningest lefty in MLB history is pitching for the New York Mets

Dodger Stadium - April 21, 1965

The Sports Time Traveler has journeyed back 60 years to cover an emerging story. Warren Spahn, the winningest left-handed pitcher in major league baseball history is now pitching for the New York Mets, after having been discarded unceremoniously by Milwaukee Braves GM Bobby Bragan after the 1964 season. As recently as 1963, Spahn had won 23 games and was 12th in the MVP voting. But after a poor season in 1964 the Braves sold the soon to turn 44 year old starter to the Mets.

In Spahn’s first outing, in the 2nd game of the season, he got off to a sensational start. He pitched perfect ball for the opening 3 innings, he had a no-hitter going in the middle of the 5th, and he had a 2 hit shutout going into the 7th. Oh, what a start it was to Spahn’s “Mets career.” Spahn faltered in the 7th, but did come back with a 1-2-3 inning in the 8th before being removed for a pinch hitter.

Spahn’s 2nd start came last night in the Mets 7th game. It was at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. And it was even better. Spahn had a shutout going into the bottom of the 9th. And the Mets had supported Spahn with 3 runs.

One of the runs was scored by 20 year old Ed Kranepool, who singled and scored in the top of 9th. Kranepool has now hit safely in all 7 games the Mets have played and is batting .478 (yes .478)!

In the bottom of the 9th, Spahn came to the mound to try and finish off his shutout. Spahn desperately wanted to send a statement that he was still a formidable pitcher. But the leadoff batter, Wes Parker, “looped a single to right,” according to Newsday’s Steve Jacobson.

Next up, Willie Davis, perhaps the fastest runner in baseball, hit a grounder to Ed Kranepool at 1st base. Kranepool booted it and Davis was safe.

Now there were runners at 1st and 2nd and no outs for Tommy Davis. Davis was the winner of the NL batting titles in 1962 and 1963 and drove in an unbelievable 153 runs in 1962.

Tommy Davis lined a single past Mets 2nd baseman Bobby Klaus (playing for the injured Ron Hunt). Spahn insinuated it was a cheap hit as he told Newsday’s Steve Jacobson that Davis, “swung at the ball inside out.”

According to Jacobson, Spahn then, “made the one bad pitch, a fat fastball and John Roseboro lined a single.”

2 runs scored and now Spahn’s shutout was gone and his lead had shrunk to just a single run at 3 - 2.

And there was still no one out, 2 runners on and the tying run was on 3rd base.

Now Warren Spahn, winner of 356 games going into this evening had to really go to work.

He struck out the next batter, Jim Lefebvre.

That brought up Ron Fairly. Spahn threw two balls low and got strikes on both of them. With the count 0 and 2, Spahn went low again, but Fairly got wood on it and hit a grounder right back to Spahn.

Warren Spahn had to think quick. He could throw to 2nd and try for a game ending double play. But if they couldn’t turn the double play, then the game would be tied.

So Spahn ran towards Dodgers’ baserunner Tommy Davis, who part way down the line towards home. Then Spahn threw the ball to his 3rd baseman Charley Smith. Smith chased Davis 60 feet down the line and tagged Tommy out. There were 2 outs now.

Spahn explained why he didn’t try to turn the double play, “It’s a damn hard thing to let the tying run score if you don’t make it. I had to come in for the ball. I could see the out at second, safe at first and we’re in extra innings.”

Now with 2 outs, the Dodgers still had 2 runners on base.

Next up came John Kennedy. Yes, the Dodgers’ batter’s name was the same as the recently late President.

And soon to be 44 year old Warren Spahn registered the 2,501st strikeout of his career to end the game.

Jacobson wrote, “Spahn made a little leap off the ground and shook both fists in the air.”

In the locker room Spahn told Jacobson, “There weren’t any bigger strikeouts in my life.”

Wow! Here’s a guy who had just won his 357th game. He had pitched in 2 World Series against the Yankees. And playing for the Mets, a team that is averaging more than 110 losses a year after their first 3 seasons, he says, “there weren’t any bigger strikeouts in my life.”

Spahn also told Jacobson, “I feel I can still pitch.”

He certainly looks like he can.

By the way, the 1965 Mets are now 3 - 4. That’s the best start in franchise history to date.

The Sports Time Traveler will continue following the 1965 Mets.