Tommie Agee of the New York Mets hits a monster shot into the upper deck in left field making it the longest home run to reach the seats in Shea Stadium history.

Tommie Agee of the New York Mets hits a monster shot into the upper deck in left field making it the longest home run to reach the seats in Shea Stadium history.

1969 – Tommie Agee of the New York Mets hits a monster shot into the upper deck in left field making it the longest home run to reach the seats in Shea Stadium history.

1966 – John Bateman notices his catcher’s mitt is gone from Wrigley Field. Bob Aspromonte and Nate Colbert have also had their gloves stolen. Bateman gets his revenge by smashing two home runs in an 8-5 triumph. Dave Giusti surrenders four home runs but Houston rallies with five runs in the ninth. Carroll Sembera gets his first big league win. 

1966 – John Bateman notices his catcher’s mitt is gone from Wrigley Field. Bob Aspromonte and Nate Colbert have also had their gloves stolen. Bateman gets his revenge by smashing two home runs in an 8-5 triumph. Dave Giusti surrenders four home runs but Houston rallies with five runs in the ninth. Carroll Sembera gets his first big league win. 

A dropped third strike keys a 5-4 win over the Braves.
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A dropped third strike keys a 5-4 win over the Braves.

1966 – A dropped third strike keys a 5-4 win over the Braves. Phil Niekro has Rusty Staub out on strikes but he is safe at first after Gene Oliver lets the pitch roll away in the ninth inning. John Bateman eventually singles Staub home with the game-winner. Lee Maye and Jim Gentile also homer for Houston.

Catcher John Bateman is inked to a free agent contract
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Catcher John Bateman is inked to a free agent contract

1962 – Catcher John Bateman is inked to a free agent contract. The hulking catcher leads the team in home runs and RBIs in 1963 but his career year comes in 1966 when Bateman puts up a .279 average with 17 homers, 24 doubles and 70 RBIs – all career highs. He hits .228 over six seasons in Houston (1963-1968). Bateman dies in Sand Spring, TX at age 56 on December 3, 1996.