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Springing Into Action: 1962 Spring Training Schedule
Date: 1962 Season
The Mets shared Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Florida with the St. Louis Cardinals for their first spring training in 1962. The Cardinals were used to sharing with New York teams as both the New York Yankees and New York Giants trained there in the post-WWII era. The Mets dropped the spring opener to the Cardinals, 8-0, but the New Yorkers got revenge the next day. Trailing 3-0 in the 8th, Choo-Choo Coleman hit a two-run home run to highlight a three-run rally. With two outs in the 9th, Richie Ashburn doubled then scored on Elio Chacon’s single for the Mets first ever win. The Mets would train at Al Lang Field until 1987.
From the collection of Andy Fogel (photo by Heritage Werks)