1970 1 Mets Team

New York Mets World Champions

These are the "miracle Mets" that won the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles a few months before this card appeared in packs. That series continues to rank among the most celebrated series in baseball history. Fans continue to lament the eventual loss of players from this team and wonder about what might have been. The Mets held on to certain players from this team too long because they had been heroes in 1969. 

Very rarely had a team gone from worst to first so suddenly. Year after year in the 1960's, the Mets finished last or near-last. The turnaround came only in the year of the miracle itself. Just as quickly, they would fade from contention, winning one division title in 1973 only when their division rivals were weakened with age, injuries and untimely death. By the late 1970's the Mets were a joke. 

As the 1970s began, the future of the Mets' division and league would belong to the Pirates, Phillies, Reds and Dodgers.

The Miracle Mets' story is similar to that of their Shea Stadium co-tenant - the Jets.  After winning Super Bowl III against a superior Baltimore team, the Jets would not win another post-season game until the 1980's. 

Next post.

First Rookie Card (#7) (the rest are linked from there by clicking on the "label" on the bottom). 

First Checklist (#9) (the rest are linked from there by clicking on the label on the bottom).

First Manager Card (#16) (use the "Managers" label at the bottom to find the rest). 

First League Leader card (#61).