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The Give a Met a Home Program

G-Fafif Aug 27 2007 03:07 PM

A very considerate friend sent me a recording of Game One of the Cubs @ Mets doubleheader of June 17, 1962, a game he tracked down because it included the infamous Marvelous Marv tripling but being called out for missing first (and, legend has it, second). While Lindsey Nelson's call doesn't mention Casey running out of the dugout to point at all the bases when Charlie Neal follows Marv's miscue with a homer (leading my friend to consider Jimmy Breslin's account fictitious), the broadcast features an announcer saying something I can't imagine has been said since 1962. It's the bottom of the seventh, Marv Throneberry is batting, and Bob Murphy has a request: ]Marv Throneberry and several other members of the New York Mets, now that school is out, would like very much to move their families to New York for the summer if they can find a furnished house to rent someplace. If you know of one, don't call but write Housing, The Polo Grounds, New York, 39. When they tell you 1962 was a more innocent time, believe them. I think my favorite part is "don't call but write," as if no hurry, the Throneberrys can sleep out on 155th Street a few more nights, the weather has been beautiful of late and those puffy cumulus clouds are like a soft blanket to Mrs. Throneberry and Marv's delightful children Mary Beth and Marvin Junior. Lots of other gold nuggets revealed on this baby, including: --continual entreaties to stop up, plenty of baseball left today, plenty of good seats available (yes, they actually said that); --the Rheingold theme played in Spanish (as if Los Mets were a new thing); --the soon to be visiting Houston club referred to as "the amazing Colt 45s," presumably for not being as horrible as the only other National League expansion club of the 20th century; --much promotional excitement that Clem Labine has joined the cast of next month's Old Timers Day; --a reference to an on-deck batter hoping "to get a stick" in this inning; --Cubs "head coach" Charlie Metro making moves (the college of coaches in full effect for the hapless Cubbies in those days); --a reference to Ron Santo having been voted best "second man" in the National League by the writers last year (I think "second year" is what Lindsey meant, though I don't think there's a sophomore of the year award anymore); --hearing the national anthem AND being told Flag Day ceremonies would take place between games; --all those we think of dinosaurs actually roaming the earth in action, including newly acquired Gene Woodling; --Lou Brock reaching the right-center bleachers (first time ever at the PG); --Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, being booed in the first inning; --and Marvelous (and apparently homeless) Marv Throneberry striking out with the winning run -- Jay Hook, pinch-running for Big Donkey Frank Thomas -- on first and being pretty badly booed for it. So much for the fans embracing the lovable losers. Quite a game, incidentally (notice the mysterious notation for Throneberry's first-inning misadventure on the basepaths; and Stengel's reliance on Al Jackson despite his line): http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1962/B06171NYN1962.htm That's Housing, the Polo Grounds, New York, 39. Don't let Elio Chacon's family sleep in the subway, darlin'.

sharpie Aug 27 2007 03:21 PM

I remember hearing the "come on down, plenty of good seats available" pitch in later years.

Valadius Aug 27 2007 03:31 PM

LOL. Homeless Marv Throneberry.

Edgy DC Aug 27 2007 06:26 PM

Brilliant.

metirish Aug 27 2007 06:32 PM

Great post,lots of laughs here.

Johnny Dickshot Aug 27 2007 08:44 PM

Cool. Random Crappy Met Game is a hit.