Barry Lyons--1989
On This Date in Major League
History, June 25, 1989…
Having worked as a scout for close to 20
years now, I have seen almost
everything that can happen in a game.
I remember seeing Eric Davis hit for the
cycle. I weathered a rain delay to see
Tom Browning twirl a perfect game. And
countless ways to commit a balk.
Just last week at a minor league game, I
saw a young pitcher allow a double, then
promptly step to the mound, check the
runner and whirl a laser pick-off throw---
to first base, which shocked an entire
stadium, but mostly the first base coach
and the umpire who had to dive out of
the way of the sphere.
But what happened on June 25, 1989,
well that would have been interesting to
view.
It was a Sunday and the second place
Mets were playing host to last place
Phillies. With big lefty Sid Fernandez on
the mound, the Mets' defense tied a
Major League record (set in 1945 by the
Cleveland Indians) as they disposed of
the Phillies without recording a single
assist.
Amazingly, Phillies' hitters were retired
on 13 strikeouts, 12 fly balls and two
ground outs to first baseman Dave
Magadan. The Mets would win 4-1, which
would move them into a first place tie
with the Chicago Cubs.
Right fielder Mark Carreon would haul
down three balls, while center fielder
Mookie Wilson grabbed two flies and left
fielder Kevin McReynolds just one.
Infielders Kevin Elster (2 putouts) and
Greg Jefferies (1 putout) contributed to
the cause. Catcher Barry Lyons, he did
most of the work, handling 13 strikeouts
and snaring three pop ups.
Which left just Howard Johnson standing
over at the third base and feeling like the
Maytag Man, as Johnson (along with
Fernandez) didn't record a putout.
Yes, it would have been interesting to
see the Phillies-Mets game of June 25,
1989 for it was a record-setting day of a
different kind.
(6/25/11)
History, June 25, 1989…
Having worked as a scout for close to 20
years now, I have seen almost
everything that can happen in a game.
I remember seeing Eric Davis hit for the
cycle. I weathered a rain delay to see
Tom Browning twirl a perfect game. And
countless ways to commit a balk.
Just last week at a minor league game, I
saw a young pitcher allow a double, then
promptly step to the mound, check the
runner and whirl a laser pick-off throw---
to first base, which shocked an entire
stadium, but mostly the first base coach
and the umpire who had to dive out of
the way of the sphere.
But what happened on June 25, 1989,
well that would have been interesting to
view.
It was a Sunday and the second place
Mets were playing host to last place
Phillies. With big lefty Sid Fernandez on
the mound, the Mets' defense tied a
Major League record (set in 1945 by the
Cleveland Indians) as they disposed of
the Phillies without recording a single
assist.
Amazingly, Phillies' hitters were retired
on 13 strikeouts, 12 fly balls and two
ground outs to first baseman Dave
Magadan. The Mets would win 4-1, which
would move them into a first place tie
with the Chicago Cubs.
Right fielder Mark Carreon would haul
down three balls, while center fielder
Mookie Wilson grabbed two flies and left
fielder Kevin McReynolds just one.
Infielders Kevin Elster (2 putouts) and
Greg Jefferies (1 putout) contributed to
the cause. Catcher Barry Lyons, he did
most of the work, handling 13 strikeouts
and snaring three pop ups.
Which left just Howard Johnson standing
over at the third base and feeling like the
Maytag Man, as Johnson (along with
Fernandez) didn't record a putout.
Yes, it would have been interesting to
see the Phillies-Mets game of June 25,
1989 for it was a record-setting day of a
different kind.
(6/25/11)
