Wayback Wednesday: A Polo Grounds Classic

 

June 26th, 1963: One of the Mets' most thrilling Polo Grounds-era wins. After the Cubs take a two-run lead in the top of the 14th inning, Tim Harkness wins the game with a walk off grand slam for an 8-6 New York victory.

I was there: It was the first week after schools closed. A cousin of mine old enough to drive got us tickets -- and promised his mother and mine we'd be home for dinner. (We lived about a half hour away from the Polo Grounds in Westchester County.) The game was exciting... and still tied after 9 innings and 10... and, well, you know the rest.

At about 5:45, my cousin said we had to go -- we had to keep our word.  No debate, no discussion. We had to get back by 6:30. So, sadly, we left the old ballyard. (I honestly don't recall whether or not we stayed long enough to see Billy Williams' inside-the-parker put the Cubs ahead.)

So, of course, as soon as we got back to the car, and turned on the radio, there was the "happy recap."  Harkness' grand slam made the Mets walk off winners (before that term was coined). Yes. We got back home in time to keep up our end of the bargain. Because when you grew up when we did, the rules still mattered.

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