1969 National League East Division Title

Lore & Background

The Mets trailed the Chicago Cubs for much of the season, finding themselves in third place and 10 games back on August 14. However, they won 14 of their last 17 games during August, and 24 of their 32 games during September and October, to surge past the Cubs and finish eight games ahead of them. The 18-game differential—recovering from being 10 games behind to finish 8 ahead—is one of the largest turnarounds in MLB history.

In Their Own Story

The humid air of Shea Stadium hung heavy on a sweltering September afternoon in 1969. The scoreboard crackled with static as the final out was recorded, sealing the division title for the Mets. Inside the dugout, Gil Hodges stood silent, his cap pulled low, while Tom Seaver wiped sweat from his brow, eyes fixed on the cheering stands that had once mocked them. It wasn't just a win; it was an exorcism of years of pain. For one night, the 'Miracle' wasn't just a nickname; it was reality.

Reader's Guide

The Mets were assigned to the newly created National League East, along with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos, and St. Louis Cardinals. They clinched the division title by finishing 100–62.

Did You Know?

• The Mets had never finished higher than ninth place in a ten-team league in their first seven seasons.
• The 1969 season was the first season of divisional play in MLB.
• The Mets were no-hit by Bob Moose of the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 20, 1969.
• The Mets became the first expansion team to win the World Series.