Willie Mays, playing his first game with the New York Mets, hits a game-winning home run against his former teammates, the San Francisco Giants. Just three days earlier, the Mets had acquired Mays from the Giants for a player, pitcher Charlie Williams, and cash.
Buzz Capra is the winning pitcher in a 1 – 0 Mets victory over the San Francisco Giants. Capra’s first major league RBI – a 2nd-inning single scoring Cleon Jones – is the only run of the game.
Tom Seaver wins his 100th game in a 2 – 1 New York Mets victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets also acquire veteran outfielder Willie Mays from the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000.
On May 11, 1972, the New York Mets acquire Willie Mays from the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000. Three days later, the future Hall of Famer will hit a game-winning home run against the Giants in his Mets’ debut.
1972 – Pencil-thin shortstop Roger Metzger belts his first major-league homer to spark a six-run eighth-inning rally that shocks the Cardinals, 10-7. The shot comes off Hall-Of-Famer Bob Gibson. Pinch-hitter Jimmy Stewart’s two-run triple gives Houston the lead. Lee May caps a four-hit night with a ninth-inning blast. Houston leads the NL West by a game over Los Angeles.
Orioles lefty Dave McNally hurls his fourth shutout of the season, blanking the Rangers, 1 – 0. Pete Broberg, who allows just two hits, takes the loss.
Career triple No. 160 for Roberto Clemente puts Pittsburgh up, 1 – 0, on Atlanta and the Bucs never look back. Clemente comes home on Richie Hebner’s single and solo home runs from Willie Stargell and Dave Cashprovide Pittsburgh’s next two runs. Cash’s 8th-inning RBI double supplies additional insurance and reliever Bruce Kison responds with a perfect 8th and 9th to nail down the 5 – 2 win for starter Dock Ellis.
May 6, 1972: Legendary San Francisco Giants OF Willie Mays enjoys a slice of birthday cake that was presented to him by the Phillies on his 41st birthday. (Mays would be traded to the Mets five days later.)
The Angels make quick work of Milwaukee, beating the visitors at Anaheim Stadium, 2-0. Andy Messersmith’s two-hit masterpiece takes only one-hour and thirty-one minutes to complete, making the contest the quickest nine-inning game in franchise history.
Jim Fregosi, obtained by the Mets from the Angels in the off-season for future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, breaks his right thumb during a spring training workout. The All-Star infielder will suffer through an agonizing season, batting only .232 in 101 games, after being touted as the team’s solution to its revolving door at third base.
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