National League Standings, May 21, 1991
METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE MAY 21, 1991 GAME:
Dave VW
October 4, 2022
This game marked the second time in 1991 the Mets were facing a team that was playing their first game after firing a manager. First on April 23 when Jim Fregosi took over for Nick Leyva for the Phillies. Now Joe Altobelli took over for Don Zimmer, albeit for one game, as he was replaced by Jim Essian the next day. Altobelli may also be the only manager in history to be ejected the one game he managed for a team, as he was thrown out of this game for arguing when warnings were given in the fifth inning after Chuck McElroy nearly hit Gooden with a pitch. It may or may not have been retaliation for when Gooden nailed Doug Dascenzo in the back the previous inning.
Speaking of Gooden, this game started a streak of four games in a row in which he gave up at least 5 runs. His ERA went from 2.39 to 2.97 after this game, and it would soar to as high as 4.39 by the end of June. However, this still marked his 9th straight start against the Cubs in which he picked up a win. Doc actually ended his career with a 28-4 record vs. the Cubs.
This was another game the Mets scored early and then went to sleep at the plate. After collecting all 8 runs over the first 3 innings, they managed just one hit over the remaining five innings. Cubs pitching retired the final 13 in a row. McReynolds got some rare boos during his first at-bat as reaction toward his recent comments in the papers, when he said New York fans "like to kick players when they're down." But those boos quickly evaporated after he hit RBI doubles in his first two plate appearances. He also made a diving catch during the 9th that probably saved the game, as Franco needed some good defense behind him to lock down the save.
Dave VW
October 4, 2022
I also meant to add that Ralph Kiner had an epic battle with Jose Vizcaino's name all night. At first he called him "Val-keeno," which made me laugh hysterically. He must have said his name 20 times, differently every time.
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