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The 1986 "Miracle" Mets

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        The 1986 World Series between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox was one of the most memorable World Series ever played. The Mets finished the 1986 season with an amazing 108-54 record, easily winning the Nation League Eastern Division. The Boston Red Sox finished the season with a record of 95-66, winning the American League Eastern Division by 5 1/2 games. The Mets defeated the Houston Astros in the national League Championship Series four games to two games, and the Boston Red Sox defeated the California Angels in the seventh game of the American League Championship Series. 

        The World Series started with an amazing pitching battle between Bruce Hurst and Ron Darling in Game 1. Both starting pitchers went deep into the game, only allowing a few hits each and no earned runs. The only run allowed was due to an error by Tim Teufel, the second baseman for the Mets. The Red Sox took the first game of the series 1-0. Game 2 was a higher scoring game, with most of the offense coming from Boston. The Red Sox scored nine runs on 18 hits and two homeruns, taking Game 2 by a score of 9-1. The Mets successfully bounced back in Game 3, scoring four runs in the first inning, going on to win the game 7-1. The Mets also played great to win Game 4. Ron Darling pitched seven scoreless innings, and Gary Carter smashed two homeruns over the Green Monster (the high wall in left field of Fenway Park). In Game 5, Boston's Bruce Hurst pitched a complete game leading the Red Sox to a 3-2 victory. In the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6, the Mets were down 5-4 with two outs. The Mets managed to hit three straight singles, loading up the bases. A wild pitch to the next batter would allow the tying run to score. The Met's left fielder Mookie Wilson was up with the bases loaded, two outs, and a full count. On the tenth pitch of the atbat, Mookie hit a slow roller to Bill Buckner at first base. The first baseman lined up with the ball, but somehow the ball went right under his glove and through his legs. This error allowed the winning run to score, causing the Mets to win Game 6 and force a seventh game. This terrible error by Bill Buckner overshadowed all of the positives of his career. He was booed every time he came to the plate, he became the most hated player on the Red Sox, and he even received death threats from fans. The Mets went on to win Game 7 to complete the stunning comeback, earning the team the title of the "Miracle" Mets.

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