Mets Through the Years: The All-Star(s), 1968
July 9th, 2012 by slangon

1968 marked the first time in their existence that the Mets would send multiple players to the Mid-Summer Classic.

Jerry Grote was named to his first All-Star Team, thanks in part to his .291 average at the break. He was the starting backstop for the Senior Circuit and went 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Jerry Koosman was also a first time All-Star in 1968. He was 11-3 with a minuscule 1.94 ERA entering the break. Like Seaver the year before, he came into the game in the bottom of the 9th to protect a 1-0 lead. The only batter he faced was Carl Yastrzemski (Was that guy always up in the bottom of the 9th in a tight game or what?) who he struck out. Again, technically he would’ve been credited with a save, if that stat had existed in 1968.

Tom Seaver was also named a National League All-Star in 1968 (yawn). Surprisingly he was “only” 7-5 at the break with a 1.98 ERA. He pitched the 7th and 8th innings, giving up 2 hits and striking out 5, including the aforementioned Yaz as well as Boog Powell and some guy named Mitchell Mantle or something like that.

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