The Year the Mets Lost Last Place
Price: $2,500.00
Hard Cover. New York: The World Publishing Company, 1969. First Edition. Near Fine / Dust Jacket Included.
First edition, first printing. Signed by 32 members of the 1969 "Miracle Mets" on front free endpaper verso and half-title page, including Tom Seaver (HOF), Nolan Ryan (HOF), Yogi Berra (HOF), Tommie Agee, Jerry Koosman, and Cleon Jones. With Certified Authentication Service ("CAS") sticker to front free endpaper verso. Publisher's blue paper-covered boards, and spine lettered in bronze; in the original off-white dust jacket designed by Tom Lincoln, lettered in blue and orange, with photo of Shea Stadium to rear panel. Near fine book, with light wear to spine ends, light spotting to text block edges, and a light offsetting to front free endpaper from price sticker; good or better unclipped dust jacket, with some toning, fading to spine, some soiling to edges, ghost of removed sticker to front panel, and price sticker to front flap. Overall, a lovely tribute to an iconic MLB team. The Year the Mets Lost Last Place is a detailed minute-by-minute look at a critical nine-day stretch in July for the 1969 Mets. In the days covered, July 8-16, the Mets morphed from the league's laughingstock to pennant contenders. That year, the Mets put together one of the greatest seasons in MLB history, culminating in a historic upset against the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series, defeating the team four games to one. This book, released only two days after the Mets won the World Series, was the first book to document the historic 1969 Mets team. Nolan Ryan, nicknamed the "Ryan Express" for his remarkable throwing speed, is the MLB's all-time leader in strikeouts and no-hitters. He also is one of the only players who have had their numbers retired by three teams: The Angels, Astros, and Rangers. Tom Seaver played in the MLB for 20 seasons, winning three Cy Young Awards and twelve All-Star nods. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, receiving a then-record 98.84% of the vote. Yogi Berra played eighteen seasons with the Yankees, during which time the team won an incredible ten World Series titles. After retiring as a player, Berra went on to win three more titles as a coach. Winner of three AL MVPs and recognized as one of the greatest catchers of all-time, Berra was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. Item #PZ002
