NY Mets: Three worst heartbreaking pitches thrown in franchise history

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NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Jon Matlack #32 of the New York Mets pitches against the Oakland Athletics during game 4 of the 1973 World Series October 17, 1973 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. The Athletics won the series 4-3. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

A single swing can change the course of a season, a team, and of MLB history. The same is true for a lone pitch. Unfortunately, not every ball thrown by a New York Mets pitcher did what it was supposed to do.

In the franchise’s history, there have been some incredibly memorable catches, home runs, and walk-off victories. I’d like to dive into the darker side of Mets lore and focus on some heartache.

These three pitches delivered from the mound to home plate were supposed to go differently for the Metropolitans. Instead, they live in infamy.

Reggie Jackson has his Mets revenge in the 1973 World Series

There is a lot of history to this Mets pitch. It all began in 1966 when the Mets drafted Steve Chilcott first overall. Selected right behind him was Reggie Jackson, the future Hall of Famer.

As it has been told, the Mets didn’t draft Jackson for the most backward reason of all: his race. It’s a scar on the history of the franchise.

Jackson did have his revenge. Chilcott is known as one of the biggest draft busts of all-time while Jackson remains a legendary slugger. He got his direct revenge on the Mets in the 1973 World Series on one poor pitch from Jon Matlack.

The Miracle Mets of 1973 took the series against the Oakland Athletics all the way to Game 7. Mets starter Jon Matlack was sailing smoothly until the third inning. A two-run shot by Bert Campaneris opened up the scoring. Three batters later, Jackson put the game a little more out of reach.

With one on and two out, Jackson drove a pitch from Matlack over the outfield wall for the second two-run home run of the inning. Like that, the Athletics led 4-0. It was the last pitch Matlack threw that day.

New York went on to lose the game 5-2.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kenny Rogers throws against the Houston Astros in the top of the first inning 25 August, 1999 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, NY. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMBPELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Kenny Rogers walks in the winning run

Momentum swung the Mets’ way in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS. Down 3-0 heading into Game 4, the club managed to defeat the Atlanta Braves two games in a row, including their 15th inning walk-off victory in Game 5.

In a must-win situation, they went into Game 6 hopeful they could steal another. Starter Al Leiter put together a poor start but the Mets rallied back and managed to rally back late. The two teams exchanged a run apiece in the 10th. In the 11th inning, knotted up at 9, Kenny Rogers took the mound against Atlanta.

Rogers was not placed in the best position to succeed. In the playoffs, pitchers don’t get this luxury. They have to pitch in whatever situation they’re asked to.

A leadoff double by Gerald Williams put him in an early hole. A sacrifice bunt by Bret Boone pushed Rogers against a wall further. With a runner on third and only one out, the Mets opted to intentionally walk Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan to load the bases.

Rogers was left with no room for error. He had to get an easy out against the next hitter, Andruw Jones. Four balls would end the game. Sadly, that’s exactly what happened.

The Braves literally ended the game with a walk-off. Like that, the season was over for the team in Flushing.

KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 27: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets reacts after Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals (not pictured) hits a solo home run in the ninth inning during Game One of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 27, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Jeurys Familia’s quick-pitch gone wrong

A slight change from the other bad pitches in Mets history on this list, this one came in Game 1 of the World Series. The Mets had plenty of time to overcome it. They weren’t able to.

The Mets went into the final inning leading the Kansas City Royals 4-3. Closer Jeurys Familia entered, prepared to record the final three outs. New York would lead 1-0. With their pitching, there was a chance they could win the whole thing.

After retiring Salvador Perez, Familia worked a 1-1 count to outfielder Alex Gordon. Getting a little too “cute” for his own good, Familia tried a quick-pitch.

Gordon wasn’t fooled. He nailed a line drive home run to tie the game up at 4. It’s a pitch that still aches for many Mets faithful.

The game did continue into the night. It was an Eric Hosmer sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 14th inning against Bartolo Colon which eventually sealed the win for the Royals.

Familia’s quick-pitch certainly didn’t cost the Mets the game. They had opportunities to come back and never did.

The first flaw shown by Familia in the 2015 postseason, it’s one of those moments we think of first whenever his name scrolls across our eyes. He told us to hold his beer the very next year when he gave up a three-run home run in the ninth to Conor Gillaspie. Those were the only three runs surrendered by either team in the game.

Next. Worst December Mets trades in franchise history

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Which other Mets pitches live in infamy in your mind?

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Reggie Jackson has his Mets revenge in the 1973 World Series

Kenny Rogers walks in the winning run

Jeurys Familia’s quick-pitch gone wrong

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