Back before the two-hour game became the four-hour game. Back before the average baseball ticket cost more than the average traffic ticket. And back when what was unsealed were packs of bubblegum cards and not federal documents, the New York Mets shocked the baseball world.
This season marks the 40th anniversary of the Miracle Mets' ascension from the outhouse to the penthouse, culminated by a five-game World Series win over the powerhouse Baltimore Orioles.
Four key members of the '69 Mets -- shortstop Bud Harrelson, first baseman Ed Kranepool and outfielders Art Shamsky and Ron Swoboda -- visited Yonkers Raceway's entertainment lounge Wednesday night for a round of reminiscence.
The quartet was greeted by a large and enthusiastic crowd as they answered questions, signed autographs and course, looked back upon their 'amazing' season.
Harrelson spoke about his early days, growing up in the Mets' minor-league system with some pitcher named Tom Seaver, while Kranepool and Shamsky both admitted they hated the platoon system employed by manager Gil Hodges, "but it worked, and we were winning."
Swoboda was more than happy to talk about his World Series Game 4, ninth-inning diving catch off the bat of Brooks Robinson -- a game the Mets would eventually win in extra innings to take a 3-1 series lead.
"How long have I been living off that catch?" Swoboda said. "What time is it now?"
(Yonkers Raceway)