October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
The 1973 “Ya Gotta Believe” New York Mets were a most improbable National League champion. Winning just 82 games the Mets were the only team to finish above .500 in the NL East in 1973, clinching the division on the last day of the season. The team’s .509 winning percentage is the lowest of any pennant-winning team in Major League history. Like the 1969 “Miracle Mets” before them, the ’73 team relied on the strength of its pitching staff led by NL Cy Young award winner Tom Seaver who went 19-10 with a league leading 2.08 ERA, 18 complete games and 251 strikeouts. First baseman John Milner led the team with 23 home runs while second baseman Felix Millan (.290) posted the team’s highest average. Willie Mays hit .211 in his final big league season. The Mets surprised Cincinnati’s burgeoning “Big Red Machine,” winning the National League Championship Series three games to two and nearly toppled the heavily favored Oakland A’s in the World Series, falling in seven games after taking a three games to two lead. This 11x14 glossy photo reproduction of the New York Mets 1974 yearbook depicts the 1973 National League Championship flag flying over Shea Stadium and is signed in bold blue sharpie by 27 members of the ’73 team including Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Yogi Berra, Jerry Grote, Roy McMillan, Wayne Garrett, Jerry Koosman, Felix Millan, Ron Hodges, Ed Kranepool, Harry Parker, Bud Harrelson, Tug McGraw, Ted Martinez, Joe Pignatano, Cleon Jones, Duffy Dyer, Jim Beauchamp, Jim McAndrew, Don Hahn, John Matlack, Ed Yost, George Stone, Ray Sadecki, Buzz Capra, Rusty Staub and one other. This “amazing,” piece is something hardcore Mets fans can “believe” in and comes with a JSA full letter of authenticity, certification #B96214.