The Sports Time Traveler™ on MetsMusings, MetsRewind, and more Mets' Podcasts

Mar 14, 2025

The Sports Time Traveler was recently honored to be a guest on several New York Mets and other baseball podcasts.

It’s been a great thrill to be on these podcasts and share highlights from my book, “The 1973 Mets - You’ve Got to Believe.”

If you listen to the podcasts, you’ll hear many intriguing and nostalgic stories, including:

Yogi Berra’s decision to pitch Tom Seaver in game 6 of the 1973 World Series on 3 days rest. I have a strong opinion about this one. I also have first-hand information about what the A’s players were saying in the dugout during games 6 and 7, as I had an incredible interview with Gene Tenace for my book.
Yogi’s decision to pass up on having Willie Mays pinch hit in game 7 when left-handed hitting Wayne Garrett came up in the top of the 9th against lefty Darold Knowles with 2 outs, 2 on, and the Mets down 5 - 2. In my book, I uncovered that the Mets had been in almost the exact same situation, with Garrett coming the plate and Willie Mays on the bench, in a July 17, 1973 game. In that game, Berra sent out the Say Hey Kid to pinch hit for Garrett, and the outcome was magical.
Willie Mays pleading with the umpire to reverse a decision when Bud Harrelson was called out at the plate in the 10th inning of game 2 of the 1973 World Series. I discuss my assertion that the scene with Willie on his knees, arms skyward, and nearly in tears, as he begs the umpire to reverse the call, made for one of the most dramatic sports photos ever. That call wasn’t reversed and the game dragged on until the 12th inning when Willie Mays came to the plate and knocked in the run that put the Mets ahead for good. It was the last hit of his career and it was one of his biggest. It was the only time in the amazing career of Willie Mays that he had hit the go ahead run in extra innings of a World Series contest. The hit enabled the Mets to win the game and tie the series. Without that hit, the Mets might have lost the game and fallen behind 2 games to 0 against the defending champion A’s. They would have essentially been done. With Willie’s hit, the Mets extended the series to an eventual 7 game thriller. Mays has never received enough credit for that final hit of his life’s work as a player.

You can learn more about the book and find links to purchase it on my website: