Storyline: Nearly a half-century later, Ron Swoboda still finds himself signing pictures of “THE PLAY.” Written by Joseph Salemo, New York City
It was Wednesday, October 15th 1969. The crowd at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens New York was roaring, causing the building to shake with excitement.
Courtesy: grandstandcatch.com
The reason? New York Mets’ right fielder, Ron Swoboda, had just made one of the most amazing catches in MLB history–fully extending his body to make a diving grab with only three inches to spare.
“I knew I had made one hell of a play,” Swoboda said.
The catch came as a surprise–not just to everyone watching–but also to Swoboda himself. “Conventional wisdom had it that I wasn’t a good fielder,” Swoboda said, “but I worked really hard at being a better outfielder.”
This catch wouldn’t be forgotten quickly. Nearly a half-century later, Swoboda still finds himself signing pictures of that diving play. “It’s 45 years later, and I didn’t know I’d still be making money off that catch!” Swoboda remarked.
The irony behind the catch? It was hit by Swoboda’s baseball hero, Brooks Robinson. Swoboda hails from Baltimore and Robinson was his idol growing up.
And another interesting thing about “The Play” is that Swoboda hadn’t played in the previous series against the Braves. Destiny, perhaps, put him the field against the Orioles.
But Swoboda wasn’t just a hero in the outfield during the ’69 Series. Dominant at the plate, he hit .400, connecting on five base hits in the last two games of a 5-game World Series. To cap things off Swoboda drove in the run that won the Series for the Mets.
Courtesy: Flickr.com
The Mets had stunned the baseball world. “Everybody picked them to beat us,” Swoboda said. The Mets were the underdogs. But through great pitching, teamwork, Ron Swoboda’s play, and a little bit of luck, the Mets became world champs.
Swoboda retired from baseball in 1973 after playing for the Mets, Expos, and Yankees. The ’69 Series stands out as the highlight of his career. “I started with the Mets. I signed with the Mets. I will always identify as a Met,” Swoboda said.
That feeling continues to this day. Even though ‘the Miracle Met’ lives in New Orleans where a career in sports casting has taken him, Swoboda continues to follow baseball and the Mets–suffering along with the rest of Mets’ fans.
But there’s reason for hope, he says. Swoboda is optimistic about the ’16 season, optimism that’s based on the team’s star-studded pitching rotation. He calls the pitching staff “the heart and soul of the Mets.” That’s a big compliment coming from a guy who played with some great hurlers of his day, including Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry, and Tom Seaver.
Courtesy: Youtube.com
But let’s not forget THE CATCH.
When asked, “How long are you ‘gonna make a living off of one catch?” Swoboda responds: “Well, how long do I still got?”
That kind of humor defines Swoboda, who’s nearly 72-year-old these days. But, age aside, Ron Swoboda will live on forever for Mets’ fans as one of the greatest players to ever don a Mets’ uniform.
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Joseph Salemo is an avid, and sometimes manic, New York Mets and Jets fan. He looks forward to, yet cringes at, every upcoming sports season. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College in May ’16 with a BA in History, Journalism, and New Media Studies.
