Remembering the 1986 World Series

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 1, 2011

Remembering the 1986 World Series

Roger Clemens and Dwight Gooden

This October marks the 25-year anniversary of the Mets' World Series victory over the Red Sox. Though the games are a quarter-century old, they remain some of the most memorable in baseball history. Here is a look back at those memorable eight days.In this photo, taken during All-Star weekend in Houston, American League starter Roger Clemens shakes hands with National League starter Dwight Gooden. The two would later lead their teams to the World Series.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox went 95-66 during the regular season and defeated the Angels in a memorable ALCS to advance to the World Series. Against California, Boston rallied from a 3-1 series deficit, including a dramatic comeback victory in Game 5 to avoid elimination.

New York Mets

The Mets cruised to a league-best 108-54 mark, winning the NL East by 21.5 games. In the NLCS, New York defeated Houston in six games, highlighted by a 16-inning victory in the clincher.

Roger Clemens

The Red Sox were led by 23-year-old Roger Clemens. The Texas native compiled a 24-4 record with a 2.48 ERA, which earned him both the Cy Young Award and American League MVP honors. He also became the first pitcher to strike out 20 batters in a game, in an early-season matchup against Seattle.

Dwight Gooden, Mike Tyson and Darryl Strawberry

With a balance of dynamic youngsters and established veterans, the Mets were one of the most popular teams in baseball. Its two youngest stars, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, were especially loved by New Yorkers. In this photo, Mike Tyson jokingly sticks a left jab to the face of Gooden.

Keith Hernandez and Wade Boggs

Two other notable players were Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs and Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez. Boggs led all of baseball with a .357 average during the regular season while Hernandez batted .310 and won a Gold Glove. In this photo, the two shake hands before the start of the World Series.

Bruce Hurst

In Game 1, Red Sox starter Bruce Hurst was masterful, pitching eight innings and giving up four hits and no runs. Mets starter Ron Darling was also strong, but gave up one unearned run that turned out to the difference in Boston's 1-0 victory.

Billy Joel

New York native Billy Joel sings the national anthem before Game 2.

Lenny Dykstra

After losing to the Red Sox again in Game 2, the Mets responded in Game 3 at Fenway Park with a 7-1 victory. Lenny Dykstra (pictured here during the season) led off the game with a home run against Oil Can Boyd and collected four hits in the rout.

Gary Carter

In Game 4, Gary Carter homered twice as the Mets rolled 6-2 to even the series at two games apiece.

Jim Rice

Boston's Bruce Hurst was again outstanding in Game 5 at Fenway, going the distance in a 4-2 victory. Mets ace Dwight Gooden struggled early and was pulled after four innings and three earned runs. Jim Rice (pictured) had two hits and scored a run for Boston.

Mets Fans

Going into Game 6, Boston fans hoped to wipe away nearly 70 years of heartbreak with a World Series victory. The fans at Shea Stadium were quick to remind the Red Sox faithful about their tortured history.

New York Mets

In Game 6, Boston had leads of 2-0 (in the fifth) and 3-2 (in the eighth) but the Mets, donning rally caps in the dugout, came back to tie it both times. The score was 3-3 in the 10th inning when Dave Henderson hit a solo home run and the Red Sox tacked on one more run for a 5-3 lead.

Bill Buckner

In the bottom of the 10th, Red Sox reliever Calvin Schiraldi retired the first two Mets batters before a combination of three singles and a wild pitch (the latter thrown by Schiraldi's replacement, Bob Stanley) led to two Mets runs. Then, with the game tied at 5-5 and Ray Knight at second, Mookie Wilson's routine ground ball to first went through Bill Buckner's legs, allowing Knight to score the winning run.

Gary Carter and Jesse Orosco

In Game 7, the Mets trailed 3-0 before scoring all of their runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings of an 8-5 victory. It was the franchise's first championship since 1969.