After the club finishes in last place in each of his first three seasons in the dugout; the Mets extend manager Joe Torre’s contract through the 1982 season. During his five seasons with the team, the future Hall of Fame skipper will compile a 286-420 (.405) record for the struggling franchise.

ByTom

After the club finishes in last place in each of his first three seasons in the dugout; the Mets extend manager Joe Torre’s contract through the 1982 season. During his five seasons with the team, the future Hall of Fame skipper will compile a 286-420 (.405) record for the struggling franchise.

In the 163rd game of the season Joe Niekro defeats the Dodgers, 7-1, in the winner-take-all contest for the NL West

In the 163rd game of the season Joe Niekro defeats the Dodgers, 7-1, in the winner-take-all contest for the NL West

ByBaseball

In the 163rd game of the season, 35 year-old knuckleballer Joe Niekro earns his 20th victory, going the distance to defeat the Dodgers, 7-1, in the winner-take-all contest for the NL West. With the win, the Astros hold on to capture their first title in the 19-year history of the franchise after losing a season-ending three game series to LA, (3-2, 2-1, and 4-3) that forced the one-game playoff.