Mets-Colored 1992 Opening Day Baseball

Hardball returned to Shea Stadium for the 1992 season opener, when this commemorative baseball debuted. The Mets lost to the Montreal Expos, 4-0, but according to center fielder Howard Johnson, “If you’re ever going to feel good after a loss, this is the one.” See, hardball wasn’t the only thing that had returned to Shea. Mets ace Dwight Gooden made his first start since undergoing rotator cuff surgery in September. The hurler allowed just three hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings, making the L feel a lot more like a W.