A Magic Summer: The '69 Mets

The New York Mets joined the National League in 1962 and for the next seven seasons established themselves as the team of lovable futility. It is no wonder, then, that as the 1969 season dawned, the odds against the Mets winning the pennant were 100 to 1. Yet win they did, and the World Series as well, and in this fine contribution to baseball history Cohen (The Game They Played) shows how they did it. With no real star except Tom Seaver, the team's combination of youth and age was unified by manager Gil Hodges, who had the respect of all and juggled his lineup almost daily. In addition to writing an account of the season, Cohen also interviewed 23 of the 25 players on the squad. They add interesting insights into the Miracle Mets, whose climactic victories drove New York into a frenzy and who proved that losers can be winners, as the author emphasizes in his affectingly written conclusion. Photos not seen by PW. (April)