Ultimate Mets Database: Game of May 8, 1981

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Previous Game:
May 7, 1981
Mets 3, Giants 2 1981 Regular Season Game 23
May 8, 1981
Dodgers 1, Mets 0 Next Game:
May 9, 1981
Mets 7, Dodgers 4

Click to view scorecard

National League Standings, May 8, 1981

Box Score Game Memories Scorecard Mets Stats
Thru This Game

METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE MAY 8, 1981 GAME:

jj kennedy
February 22, 2001
Fernando Valenzuela's debut at shea. Mike Scott gives up a first inning run. My first met game since 1975. Double Play in 7th does in the Mets. first of many games to come. Sat in mezz section 8. Decent crowd to see fernando. Excellent pitching duel.

Andy from Rego Park
October 23, 2001
Fernando-mania hits Shea. Valenzuela matches up against Mike Scott. First inning: Mets load the bases with one out for clean-up hitter Dave Kingman. Would Kong homer? Would he strike out? Neither! He grounds into an inning ending, rally killing double play. The Mets never threaten again and Valenzuela beats Scott in a 1-0 pitchers duel.

Bob P
May 27, 2003
Scott held his own with Valenzuela this night, but Fernando improved to 7-0. The Dodgers' run came in the top of the first and was unearned, thanks to an error, a balk, and an RBI single by Dusty Baker. Fernando pitched a complete game and struck out eleven but he gave up seven hits and five walks. The Mets left eight men on base in the first three innings. Scott went seven innings allowing the one unearned run along with four hits and a walk, and struck out six.

Joe P.
October 25, 2004
I went to this game as a young teenager with a bunch of friends. I remember the game well because of Fernandomania, and finally a real big crowd at Shea. The crowd was obviously there for Valenzuela, but it didn't matter to us. If I remember correctly, this was the waning days of the free Dairylea Milk 'grandstand' Mets tickets (and Fernandale Milk Yankee seats - not that I would collect anything for the hated Yanks). We used to get the 'nose-bleed' seats on the arm, and by the 3rd inning be seated in the lower level. There was no one ever there, but that night the place was packed. Even though our team lost, they fought hard against the eventual World Series champs.

Witz
October 20, 2008
I was out that night; when I got home I put the game on, but it was over and I saw Mike Scott on Kiners Korner, so I thought, "wow, the Mets beat the great Fernando!" Then I realized that they lost. Scott pitched great and was likely on the show because Fernando didn't speak English. Oh well.

meestahcee
July 12, 2021
My schoolmate Amadeo invited me to see what Fernandomania was all about. It was tense and exciting - I kept thinking, "Surely the Mets will score," but it was not to be. Amadeo's dad made us leave in the top of the 9th inning to beat the traffic (can you imagine!?!), and I just saw on YouTube the half inning I missed - 40 years later! So glad I have been a Mets fan for life, as is my eldest child - we love to talk before, during and after the game - he in the Lone Star State and me in the Hoosier State. This is a terrific and much-appreciated website. Thanks!

Now it's your turn! Tell us what you remember of this game:

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The Mets suck! They need to trade Smith and get somebody like Jones.
This comment is off-topic and will be removed. It has nothing to do with any specific game. But here's an acceptable alternative:

Example Two
The Mets suck! Smith made three errors in this game, and hit into a double play, and the Mets blew a 5-0 lead. They need to get rid of Smith and get somebody like Jones.
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