09/26/08 12:42 AM ET
MLB.com to replay Mets classics
'86 World Series run, Piazza's dramatic homer part of reruns
By Jon Blau / MLB.com
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- Shea moment No. 5: '86 Mets
- Shea moment No. 6: Grand slam single
- Moment No. 10: Pratt's home run
- Shop for final season at Shea merchandise
- Farewell to Shea Stadium coverage
And MLB.com will bring them to you once more, celebrating the stadium's final regular-season game on Sunday with 19 straight hours of classic games and video. The program will start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and run through the night until 1 p.m. on Sunday, when coverage will shift to live look-ins at Shea Stadium's final regular-season game against the Marlins.
It will all start with a half-hour of arguably the Mets' greatest pitcher, Tom Seaver. While the franchise is devoid of a no-hitter and a perfect game, Seaver gave the fans something else entirely -- an "Imperfect Game."
That will be the setup for a true Mets classic -- a long one. With the bases loaded in Game 5 of the 1999 National League Championship Series, Robin Ventura knocked home the winning runs in the 15th inning to force a Game 6. He did so with the oddest of plays and the most abrupt of celebrations. Congratulations to Todd Pratt, who stopped Ventura before he could reach second base, assisting in what would forever be known as the "grand-slam single."
And stay up late if you want to experience the shock that came across the collective face of Red Sox Nation. A few hours after 1 a.m., Mookie Wilson will once more have a ground ball to first base roll under Bill Buckner's legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.
BaseballChannel.TV schedule (All times ET) | |
Time | Program |
| 7:30 p.m. | Tom Seaver Day |
| 8 p.m. | Game 5, 1999 NLCS: Robin Ventura's grand slam single |
| Midnight | Game 6, 1986 World Series: Bill Buckner's error |
| 3:30 a.m. | Game 4, 1999 NLDS: Todd Pratt's walk-off homer |
| 6:30 a.m. | Game 7, 1986 World Series: Mets win their second title |
| 9 a.m. | Mike Piazza's homer after 9/11 |
| Noon | MLB.com pregame show |
| 1 p.m. | Live look-ins of the Mets-Marlins game followed by MLB.com's postgame show |
| postgame | Game 5, 1969 World Series: The Mets are champs |
Possibly the most significant moment -- for non-baseball reasons -- will conclude the classic footage starting at 10 a.m. After Sept. 11, 2001, Americans were searching for something to cheer about, and Mike Piazza gave it to them with a game-winning home run on Sept. 21.
Then there will be MLB.com's pregame show before the Mets-Marlins game, followed by live look-in during the game and a postgame show. Then, it's back to classic games with the franchise's first championship, helping fans relive the "Miracle Mets" and their triumph over the Orioles with Game 5 of the 1969 World Series. So even if you can't make it to the park on Sunday, all of the memories will run through on your computer screen at home. Say goodbye to Shea Stadium, but know that the reminiscing will never end.
Jon Blau is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.










