On July 13th, 1977, New York Town knowledgeable a blackout when the Mets have been playing the Chicago Cubs.
The 1977 year was tumultuous for the Mets.
For starters, the group traded their most legendary star, Tom Seaver, on June 15th. That signaled the start off of a multi-yr rebuild.
A lot of considered the lights figuratively went out on the franchise that working day.
On July 13th, they literally did.
The night time commenced as a normal a single for the put up-trade deadline Mets.
They put this lineup on the Shea Stadium area to get started their tilt with the Cubs, in front of just around 14,000 supporters.
Lenny Randle 3B
Mike Vail RF
Lee Mazzilli CF
Doug Flynn 2B
Randle stepped in the box against Ray Burris in the base of the sixth, when all of the unexpected, the lights went out.
You can listen to Ralph Kiner and Lindsey Nelson explain the problem in the audio clip beneath.
https://www.youtube.com/look at?v=wuimLRcyfAI
The large scoreboard in proper subject went darkish, nonetheless the PA technique and organ remained functional.
The auxiliary lights arrived on beneath the stands, as enthusiasts sat patiently, imagining the lights would occur on and engage in would resume.
Throughout the hold out, a several Mets gamers drove their cars and trucks onto the outfield grass, then played catch and hit fungos to entertain the lovers.
The lights did not arrive back on that night time. New York Metropolis was plunged into darkness for 25 several hours.
Several years after the blackout, Randle reported he initially assumed the blackout was the finish of times.
The Cubs, who ended up staying at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan, experienced to stroll up flights of stairs to get to their non-air conditioned rooms on a warm and steamy night.
The 1977 Mets completed 64-98. They would in the end drop the July 13th game by the rating of 5-2.
John Stearns, Steve Henderson, and John Milner shared the crew direct in residence operates with 12.
Nino Espinosa led the starters with 10 wins. Jerry Koosman misplaced 20 video games.
You get the point, 1977 was a tough yr for the Mets.
And to make issues worse, the lights went out on July 13th.
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