Mets History: Two walk-off home runs in one day back in 1962

On the day of the first New York Mets walk-off home run in franchise history, fans were treated to a double-dose of long flies ending the game.

May 12, 1962, is a special day in New York Mets history. In the franchise’s first season, the team won only 40 games. In one day, they earned a pair of victories with two walk-off home runs.

The first walk-off hit of any kind in franchise history happened in game one of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Braves. Catcher Hobie Landrith hit only one dinger in 1962. It was a special one in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Facing future Hall of Famer and Mets pitcher Warren Spahn, Landrith cracked a two-run home run against Spahn for the win. Gil Hodges had reached earlier in the inning, factoring in as the tying run. When Landrith crossed home, he became the winning run in the 3-2 victory.

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In the second game of the doubleheader, relief pitcher Hank Fischer was on the mound in the bottom of the ninth in a 7-7 tie. Landrith didn’t double-down on heroics. This time, it was Hodges who went yard for the lead and the win.

Interestingly enough, days later on May 15, 1962, Landrith walked the team off again; literally. This time, instead of a hit, a bases-loaded walk against Chicago Cubs pitcher Cal Koonce scored the winning run. As was the case in his first walk-off, the plate appearance was the first of the game for Landrith.

And for sake of informing everyone of how amazing this week was, the very next day included the fourth walk-off victory in Mets history. This time, Felix Mantilla singled for the win.

Later in this same month, Willie Mays hit a walk-off home run against Jay Hook for the first walk-off loss in Mets history. So for those keeping track at home, the first walk-off win and loss for the team involved a Hall of Famer on the other team who would eventually suit up for the boys in blue and orange.

Few events in baseball games are as exciting as a walk-off hit. The closest moment to “sudden death” as you can get guarantees the home team leaves the ballpark happy.

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For those who sat through the two games on May 12, 1962, they got to leave the stadium in an especially good mood.