Editor’s note: The 1960 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
Gary Gentry had an amazing pitching performance as the 1969 New York Mets punched their ticket to the championship game of the 1960s Diamond Gems Tournament with a 2-1 victory over the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Mets will face the winner of the 1967 Boston Red Sox at 1967 St. Louis Cardinals. New York would host the Red Sox in the title affair, while the Mets would have to travel to St. Louis to take the crown.
Gentry (1-0) went the distance for the Mets allowing four hits with a pair of strikeouts. The only blemish for Gentry came in the eighth inning when he gave up a double to Don Hoak who later scored on another double by Bill Mazeroski.
New York picked up its runs in the bottom of the first to the delight of the Shea Stadium crowd. After Bud Harrelson singled off Pittsburgh starter Vinegar Bend Mizell with one out, Cleon Jones blasted a two-run homer to provide the Mets with all of the offense they needed.
Mizell (0-1) tossed seven innings as he allowed seven hits with seven strikeouts. Roy Face pitched a scoreless eighth giving the Pirates a chance to comeback. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Gentry was able to work out of the ninth after he walked Dick Groat and Dick Stuart he retired Roberto Clemente to end the contest.
Semifinals
1969 New York Mets 2, 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates 1
1967 Boston Red Sox at 1967 St. Louis Cardinals
Second Round Results
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates 4, 1961 New York Yankees 2
1969 New York Mets 3, 1968 St. Louis Cardinals 0
1967 Boston Red Sox 9, 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers 5
1967 St. Louis Cardinals 5, 1966 Baltimore Orioles 4
First Round Results
1961 New York Yankees 12, 1962 New York Mets 2
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates 3, 1969 Baltimore Orioles 0
1969 New York Mets 3, 1961 Cincinnati Reds 0
1968 St. Louis Cardinals 3, 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers 2
1967 Boston Red Sox 2, 1968 Detroit Tigers 1
1965 Los Angeles Dodgers 6, 1962 San Francisco Giants 0
1967 St. Louis Cardinals 2, 1961 Detroit Tigers 1
1966 Baltimore Orioles 2, 1965 Minnesota Twins 1 (11)