Mets Franchise Timeline: 1970s

1970

April 22 - Tom Seaver struck out 19 Padres in a 2-1 win over San Diego on the first-ever Earth Day at Shea.

1971

August 1 - Banner Day parade held in driving rainstorm.

1972

April - Mets Bullpen Buggy - created by legendary automotive designer Harry Bentley Bradley - debuts. . .At 20 horsepower and maximum 15 mph, the baseball-capped vehicle will chauffeur Mets relievers for the next five seasons.

May 11 - The Mets acquire outfielder Willie Mays from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Charlie Williams.

May 14 - Willie Mays' first game at Shea as a Met. He hit a home run off Don Carrithers in a 5-4 win over the Giants on Mother's Day.

1973

June 9 - Gil Hodges' no. 14 formally retired.

September 25 - Willie Mays Night at Shea. Willie said good-bye after a 2-1 win over the Expos.

October 1 - The Mets head to the postseason for the second time in franchise history, clinching the National League East with a 6-4 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

October 8 - NLCS Game Three - Bud Harrelson and Pete Rose scuffle sparked a bench-clearing brawl in a 9-2 Mets win.

October 9 - NLCS Game Five - The winner-take-all game ended in a 7-2 Mets win over Cincinnati.

October 10 - Before a Shea crowd of 50,323, Tom Seaver and Tug McGraw combine on a seven-hitter as the Mets win their second NL Pennant with a 7-2 victory over Cincinnati in the deciding game of the series.

October 18 - The Mets beat Oakland, 2-0, in Game Five of the World Series. Jerry Koosman and Tug McGraw combined on the shutout.

1974

April 6 - Yankees begin two-year tenure at Shea with 6-1 win over Cleveland.

September 11 - The Longest Night. . .In a 25-inning marathon that doesn't end until 3:13 a.m., Cards top Mets 4-3.

1975

Summer-Fall - For this one year, all four New York baseball and football teams (Mets, Yankees, Jets, Giants) call Shea Stadium home.

1977

June 15 - The Mets trade pitcher Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for pitcher Pat Zachry, infielder Doug Flynn, and outfielders Steve Henderson and Dan Norman.

July 13 - The lights go out at Shea - Lenny Randle was at the plate when the Great Blackout of '77 happened. Mets played a shadow ball game illuminated by car headlights and Jane Jarvis played Christmas songs on the organ.

July 16 - Old-timers Day at Shea. Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider and Joe DiMaggio make dramatic walk-in entrance from center field.

1979

Summer '79 to Summer '80 - First major facelift in Shea history features removal of original wooden seats in favor of plastic; new interior and exterior color schemes (blue for stadium exterior and outfield fence); removal of distinctive orange and blue exterior steel plates; installation of bleachers and picnic area behind LF fence, and increased ad space on main scoreboard.