1970 04-07 Mets at Pirates

The Thomas Paine Podcast delivers a richly detailed and emotionally charged account of the historic 1970 Opening Day game between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field, marking the final season at the iconic ballpark before the Pirates' move to a new stadium. The game, played on a chilly 48-degree day with a near-capacity crowd of 34,249, was a back-and-forth battle that saw the Mets and Pirates tied 3-3 through nine innings. Tom Seaver and Steve Blass delivered standout pitching performances, each going 10 innings with Seaver striking out five and Blass nine. Key moments included Ron Swoboda’s game-saving catch to rob Jerry May of extra bases, a crucial throwing error by May on a sacrifice bunt, and a pivotal series of plays in the 11th inning that led to the Mets’ first-ever Opening Day victory. Rookie Mike Jorgensen’s leadoff single and Wayne Garrett’s perfect sacrifice bunt set the stage for Don Glendennin’s game-winning single, driving in two runs and securing a 5-3 win. The broadcast, anchored by legendary voices like Bob Murphy, Ralph Kaner, and Lindsey Nelson, blends vivid play-by-play with strategic insights, including Gil Hodges’ decision to start Wayne Garrett due to Ken Boswell’s military duty, and features multiple sponsor reads promoting local businesses such as Friendly Freddy’s Car Wash and Rheingold Beer, enriching the nostalgic atmosphere of the era. The episode culminates in a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Forbes Field and the Mets’ long-awaited breakthrough on Opening Day.