Bottom of the 12th, the Hernandez double play turns 1st & 2nd with nobody out into man on 2nd with two outs. Next play is a fly ball that ends the inning. It's stuff like this that Hernandez did (that wasn't glitzy in the box score in the papers the next day) that saved ballgames. If that bunt gets down, it's 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, and that fly ball wins the game for Cincinnati. But not against the 1986 Mets.
Thanks for posting -- I had forgotten about Gary Carter playing 3B (almost worth the price of admission). I remember this game for Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell (2 excellent Met relievers) both being in the game at the same time in extra innings. When a righty was up, McDowell would pitch and when a lefty was batting for the Reds, Orosco would come in (and the other pitcher would go to the outfield -- eg rightfield when a righty was up). Great game, I never saw a manager do that; Davey Johnson should get his due as having done a great job with a great '86 Met team. Classic game and classic season (Pete Rose did a pretty good job with a rebuilding Reds team also that year also).
Here's to Mr. GARY CARTER, the original "The Kid" Sorry Ken Griffey Jr. ........P.S. I met Gary Carter at small card show in Palm Beach Gardens, FL in 1996. All of the money he made went to the Leukemia society. He didn't charge much. He had a special personal baseball card made up that had his favorite Bible verse on the back. I asked him if he could sign it "The Kid," and he did so, no problem. I also asked him on his opinion on whether or not Ted Simmons should be In the Hall Of Fame, and he said YES he thought so, but he said he didn't think Simmons had enough homeruns. I'm sure Gary Carter voted for Ted Simmons, Hall of Fame..... Thank You, Gary.......
This was the most exciting, and bizarre game of the 86 Mets regular season. Dave Parker dropped an easy fly ball to end it in the 9th, and the Mets tied it. Then THE BRAWL, with Ray Knight and Eric Davis, where four Reds were containing, or trying to contain, Kevin Mitchell. A bunch of guys got thrown out, leaving the Mets with Carter at 3B, and Howard Johnson at SS. HoJo ultimately won it with a homer in the 14th. Most bizarre was that for 2 innings, Roger McDowell, and Jesse Orosco alternated between pitching and playing outfield BATTER TO BATTER. If a righty was up, McDowell was pitching, and Orosco played RIGHT FIELD!!!! If a lefty was up, Orosco pitched, and McDowell played LEFT FIELD!!!! Has to be the greatest regular season game the Mets have ever been involved in. Twilight Zone bizarre. Kid Carter played 3B, and made it look easy. A testament to the superior athlete he was. Outstanding. RIP to a great gentleman.
Anyone who has played defensively at 3rd base knows it's not an easy position. You get those goody bouncing grounders, and the rocket whistlers that sound faint, but grows louder, and louder as it approaches you. You only have about one second to raise your glove and snag that ball before it inflicts some possible serious damage to your body. faint at first, deafening as you react to it's hopeful landing in your glove! All you hear is your teammates and coach saying nice catch dude. Shoot, even the opposing coach came over and shook my hand saying nice defense 3rd baseman. They call it the hot corner for that very reason!
I wish Carter was still alive. I'd like to hear him talk about baseball in general in his own style in his old age. I was thinking also, since when did Hernandez play for the Expos? I realize that this is the era when Carter played for the Mets. Otherwise he played 3rd base for a while with the Expos.
