New York Mets

The dismay of a Mets fan who missed Game 6

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Imagine my dismay

My mom, aunt, and uncles were most responsible for making me aware of the Mets’ 1973 playoff run. However, the memories are vague.

Unfortunately, this is back in the days when Snuffaluffagus would only reveal himself to Big Bird. That in turn had the rest of Sesame Street accusing Big Bird of making up an imaginary friend. Needless to say, I had my priorities.

My addiction to Mets baseball started the year after. And for a few years, I had the privilege of watching Tug McGraw, Rusty Staub, Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Jon Matlack, Jon Milner, Jerry Grote, Bud Harrelson, Felix Millan, and Dave Kingman play at Shea Stadium.

One by one, they all disappeared — Ed Kranepool being the last when he retired in 1979.

They are my childhood heroes.

I was one of those five-to-eight thousand loyalists in attendance during what we fans call The Dark Years, spanning the 1977-1982 seasons.

With the acquisition of Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry‘s debut in 1983, one could sense general manager Frank Cashen’s rebuilding was nearing completion. By 1984, the Mets were back in contention again. That season goes down as one of the most fun, ever.

When the Mets acquired catcher Gary Carter during the ensuing offseason, I then knew they were on to something very special.

Know how they say timing is everything?

On Saturday, October 25, 1986, I was on field exercises in the forests of Hohenfels, of what was then still West Germany.

I am a Cold War army veteran.

There is some down time during exercises, and there are recreation centers at our disposal, but the six hour time difference made viewing the World Series impossible.

With the exception of Lenny Dykstra‘s game winning home run against the Astros in the NLCS, I missed the entire 1986 postseason.

I lived on two-day old articles in Stars and Stripes, and newspaper clippings my friends sent from home. Thankfully, my aunt documented the whole thing for me by keeping the local tabloids.

Midseason, I subscribed to Sports Illustrated. So I have that as well, along with the DVDs.

This Mets fan is still waiting for that moment.

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