Topic: Mets beat Koufax for first time

I was at the game in August of '65 with some of my buddies when the Mets beat Sandy Koufax for the first time.  We sat along the third base line and froze (night game).  Highlights included the fact that a young Tug McGraw beat Koufax.  Not many people remember that Tug came up that summer AND that he was a starting pitcher, at least at first.  Danny Napolean hit a homer off Koufax to dead Center...pretty good shot!  Wonder where he is?  He didn't last long -- like many Mets of that era.

I have lived outside Philadelphia for 21 years.  McGraw was a beloved figure around here, deservedly, by all accounts a good man.  His death was too early and tragic.  Funny thing: the Philadelphia media played up his "Ya Gotta Believe!" anthem that characterized the 1980 Phillies WS Championship team.  Very few people seemed to recall -- or developed sudden amnesia on the subject -- that Tug first popularized that phrase during the Mets' 1973 Pennant-Winning Season. 

Wow ! I also recall Tug as a starter and knew he beat Koufax, but , Danny Napoleon , that's a name out of the past. !

I don't think he lasted more then a year with the Mets , but I remember a West Coast run , Mets vs. Giants, and Napoleon came up big in a late inning win with a basesloaded double or triple off the fence in rightcenter at Candlestick. I think the Mets rallied from 7 runs down to win it.

I remember having a transistor radio in my bedroom listening to that game !