An Amazin' first: Hook gets a win for all time

An Amazin' first: Hook gets a win for all time

Casey Stengel and the Mets get that first win after nine straight losses with 9-1 win over Pittsburgh.

The men on the 1962 Mets never felt like things were going to turn out as bad as they did, never felt the club was going to evolve over the years into a touchstone for futility or baseball comedy.

Which is why when they finally got their first win 50 years ago Monday after a record-tying nine straight losses to begin their existence, Mets such as Jay Hook and Craig Ander son didnt feel any great sense of relief, didnt dramatically exhale or think, Finally!

I just thought, We had a bad streak, well get her going, recalls Hook, who threw a complete game in the 9-1 victory at Pittsburghs Forbes Field. I wasnt looking at the season pessimistically.

Of course, it turned out that way, historically. The first team in Mets history went 40-120, had four pitchers in the top six in losses in the National League and some of the players are polled annually by the media whenever a present-day team gets off to a putrid start.

But the first win sticks with them, at least according to Hook and his old Met roommate, Anderson. At autograph shows, Hook signs his name alongside the notation First Mets win, April 23, 1962. Hook has also hopes to find footage of the game, which was imagine this not shown on television. Hed love to show clips to his 13 grandchildren.

And if they saw it, they would see their grandfather, and his team, in fine form. Casey Stengels bunch had been outscored, 69-29, in dropping its first nine games and were facing the Pirates, who had won a record 10 in a row to start the season.

But the Mets scored six times in the first two innings they hadnt scored six runs in a game all year and knocked out Pittsburgh starter Tom Sturdivant, the first time they had KOd an opposing pitcher all year.

They batted around in the second inning, another first.

Hook, who attached himself to the great Rogers Hornsby, a Met coach, in spring training for extra batting and bunting work, hit a two-run single in the four-run second and scored twice on the day. Anderson, chuckling as he reminisces, quips, Did Jay tell you about his hit? We pitchers dont forget our hits.

Hook also allowed one run and five hits, walking one and striking out two. Felix Mantilla and Elio Chacon, roommates and the 1-2 hitters in the Mets order, each had three hits, combining to go 6-for-7 wit h four runs and three RBI.

As Hook got deeper into the game, Anderson recalls, Pittsburgh wasnt making any dents. Jay seemed to get stronger and I think we all felt, Hey, were going to do it, hey, were on our way.