Opening Day 25 Seasons in the Making

Expectations were high for the 1986 Mets coming off a 98-win season a year ago. But on Opening Day the team was looking even further back as the Mets celebrated their 25th season. Former New York mayor Robert Wagner called out to the current mayor Ed Koch, “Ed! Over here. I’m throwing out the first ball today. Did it 25 years ago, too.” Koch replied with a moan, “Maybe they’ll let me throw one out someday.” Like that game in 1962, the Mets fell after a comedy of errors in the 13th inning, 6-2. Unlike those loveable losers, the 1986 Mets lost only 53 times the rest of the season on their way to a record-setting campaign.