Amazing catch! We used to go camping with Ron and his family back in the early to mid 1970's. Ron was always great with all us kids. A real life pro baseball player sitting around the campfire telling big league stories. So many great times. Thanks for all the memories Ron, Semper Fi!
I'm a New Yorker, but not a Met fan . I remember watching the WS & thinking Swoboda just made an impossible "clutch" play - so it was ! Tommie Agee also made a couple of sparkling catches during that series . No doubt, they were the "Miracle Mets" in 69.
greatest catch I've ever seen in my 60 years of watching baseball - an impossible catch. Flat out - took it 1 inch from being down - AMAZIN !! I would say the best catch in baseball history.
I like it when, in the movie "Penelope" (1966), Natalie Wood chirps, "Who's Ron Swoboda?" "Do I get to keep Ron Swoboda?" referring to his baseball card. Nice!
@@denisceballos9745 Dont forget Man on the Moon and Woodstock If not for Kennedy assassination and that misguided Vietnam debacle 1969 USA would have been an inspiration to world on how to be human
In the first game I ever went to, which I believe was Swoboda's rookie season, he made a game-ending catch of a Willy Davis drive above the wall to help the Mets win against the Dodgers. What more does a kid need to become a Mets fan for life. They even throw us a bone every twenty years to keep us coming back.
I had forgotten about this, but I remembered when the Mets were playing against the Cardinals. Steve Carlton kept striking out batters - except for Ron Sloboda who hit two two-run homers. Carleton ended up losing the game 4-3 despite 19 strikeouts.
Ester don’t feel too bad. I’m a Mets fan since 1967 but my favorite player is Simba aka Ted Simmons. Was at Shea with two friends from HS during a summer doubleheader at Shea. Second game we snuck down from general admission and sitting behind the Cards dugout. The Mets are ahead by 3 and it’s the top of the 9th and the Cards have the bases loaded. Simmons did not catch the second game but with the bags full he steps to the on deck circle. The Mets bring in John Matlack a starting pitcher to face Simmons. Both my friends know even though the Mets are my favorite team they hated the fact that Ted was my favorite player. Both of my friends turned to me and said what do you want to happen here? I said I want Matlack to get him out. Simmons kissed one right over the fence for a grand slam and the Cards won. Neither of my friends talked to me the rest of the day. Then in June 1979 saw Simmons kiss two a Dodger Stadium including another grand slam but that’s another story!
I swear that all Met fans actually willed Swoboda to make that catch. And he was not exactly known as a gold glove outfielder! There was something "mystical" about that whole season, the Mets winning the WS is still the most amazing thing I've ever seen in sports.
The New York Mets were destined to win this World Series. With two great catches by Tommie Agee, and an even greater one by Ron Swoboda, it was meant to be.
Ron Swoboda was being tongue in cheek here, but he really did make one of the greatest catches in World Series history. He was as surprised as anyone else that the ball ended up in his glove.
There was actually one out when Swoboda made that catch. He made all three putouts in that inning. I remember when he came to my middle school in January of 1969. Every year they'd have a Father-Son night featuring a Yankee or Met. In 1968, Tug McGraw was the guest speaker and Gene Michael came out in 1970. My father remembered that evening with Swoboda for the rest of his life.
I agree that this was most meaningful catch in baseball history. It took any life that the Orioles had left right out of them. It said it all, "we are not going to lose this world series". The Orioles were rallying and without this catch, the results may have been a lot different. I was not a Mets fan either, at the time but I was a National league fan when it came to the world series. I despised American league teams. I saw the catch when it happened on TV. i was 18 at the time. This never gets old. I watch it every once in a while.
I remember that year because the Cubs had somewhere around a 6.5 game lead and the Mets overtook them to go to the playoffs and then the World Series. Given the situation, it is the greatest catch in Series history. @@bobroth1951
Oh what a great video! Makes life worth living! And I remember Rocky, as a Yankee, throwing himself into the right field porch at the pre-1974 Yankee stadium to catch a ball that had already gone over the fence and rob some poor guy of a HR.
If I'm not mistaken, that's the one where Ron hit the porch, his body -- half in the field and half off of the field -- spun axially (like a figure skater!) along the porch edge just after he snagged the ball, and when he spun back on to the field (his cap flying off, which happened a lot with Ron!) he came up riding the momentum and firing the ball back in. He looked kind of pissed (pain + gotcha determination)! I wish there was video of that.
They don't show it here, but when Swoboda threw home, Tommie Agee was still in his center field position and was not backing up the play...so if that ball got past Ron (quite possible given his desperate leap and stab) Boog Powell would have no doubt scored the go ahead run from where he was, between 1st and 2nd. That really was the greatest catch in World Series history, with Mays-Wertz 2nd.
@@robertpucci9585 Ordinarily, that ball goes to the wall clearing the bases for Mets fans of lore. You could hear all of NY state scream when Swoboda made that catch!
great catch, shows how good a base runner frank robinson was, tagging all the way. there was actually 1 out when swoboda made the catch, would boog powell have scored from 1st if it had got thru? you have to wonder why he wasn't pulled for a pinch runner, he was the go ahead run in the 9th. tommy agee in center no doubt backing the play up. the orioles would also have 2 on in the 10th with 1 out. against seaver.
55 years ago and to this day The Greatest catch in World Series History Given he is not a particularly top tier athletic Ability fielder lends how important this catch was ! It truly saved the game nullified momentum and helped win the Series ! # 2 ? Probably Pete Rose catching Bob Boone popup drop in 9th inning 1980 Series
The funny thing is, no one EVER practices full sprint, full extension layout diving catches. Theres a moment as he's racing to the ball watching it descend toward the grass where he has to make a decision. Dive or chase it. Somehow he must have believed he could. That it was possible. So he laid out. And got it. Go Mets.
Some said an intelligent , strategic thinking outfielder would not have attempted that catch for fear of it getting past him and opening the door for the O’s to have a big, game winning inning.
Now, as someone who watched Met games since they came into existence, I can definitely say that Ron Swoboda was a terrible outfielder. His catch here in the Series looked good but was probably fueled by his terrible jump on the ball. A good outfielder would have made the catch with no noise whatsoever.
Amazing catch! We used to go camping with Ron and his family back in the early to mid 1970's. Ron was always great with all us kids. A real life pro baseball player sitting around the campfire telling big league stories. So many great times. Thanks for all the memories Ron, Semper Fi!
Ron... we will ALL take that to our grave with a smile on our faces! Especially us New Yorkers! AMAZIN'!!!
Amazing ! Let's Go Ron !
Great catch and great call.
Saved the game
I'm a New Yorker, but not a Met fan . I remember watching the WS & thinking Swoboda just made an impossible "clutch" play - so it was ! Tommie Agee also made a couple of sparkling catches during that series . No doubt, they were the "Miracle Mets" in 69.
My Father and I went bonkers on that catch. What a great baseball memory!
Gotta love this!
A lot of fun Ron. And yes, it does get my vote as the best ever in the World Series.
The greatest catch ever. One of my most memorable players, seeing him in person against the Astros that season. Just always liked the guy's style!
Far from the greatest catch ever!
@@wmw3629 HIS greatest catch ever!
greatest catch I've ever seen in my 60 years of watching baseball - an impossible catch. Flat out - took it 1 inch from being down - AMAZIN !! I would say the best catch in baseball history.
Great call, Ron! You got it right - I’ve never been more stunned by a web gem.
The 1969 World Series got me into baseball.One of the best sets of World Series games ever played...GO METS!
I like it when, in the movie "Penelope" (1966), Natalie Wood chirps, "Who's Ron Swoboda?" "Do I get to keep Ron Swoboda?" referring to his baseball card. Nice!
He tells the story like he is a teenage kid. It is fun to watch and hear.
If you are old enough to remember it, you remember it.
If I could upvote this all day long I would
Awesome! I remember watching that on a small black and white TV! Lol
loved that guy! lol
Saw it happen! On TV 🙄 Oct. 1969 The Amazing Mets! What a Great Series & Season
That whole season was just crazy for New York. So many magical plays - like Ron’s catch. The Jets, the Mets, the Knicks.
@@denisceballos9745 Dont forget Man on the Moon and Woodstock If not for Kennedy assassination and that misguided Vietnam debacle 1969 USA would have been an inspiration to world on how to be human
In the first game I ever went to, which I believe was Swoboda's rookie season, he made a game-ending catch of a Willy Davis drive above the wall to help the Mets win against the Dodgers. What more does a kid need to become a Mets fan for life. They even throw us a bone every twenty years to keep us coming back.
The next day before Game 5 on ABC, Mickey Mantle and Sandy Koufax were commentators and Mantle said it was the greatest catch he had ever seen.
Thanks for the memories Ron! ❤️
I had forgotten about this, but I remembered when the Mets were playing against the Cardinals. Steve Carlton kept striking out batters - except for Ron Sloboda who hit two two-run homers. Carleton ended up losing the game 4-3 despite 19 strikeouts.
I believe my brother and I were at that game. Unless there was another game when Swoboda hit two, two run homers. Must look it up.
KO 'd 19...and lost.Mets were 34-5 and my Cubs a few under .500= all over
Haha Mets magic baby🎉🎉🎉
I remember they interviewed Carlton on
Kiners Korner and he looked stunned.
Ester don’t feel too bad. I’m a Mets fan since 1967 but my favorite player is Simba aka Ted Simmons. Was at Shea with two friends from HS during a summer doubleheader at Shea. Second game we snuck down from general admission and sitting behind the Cards dugout. The Mets are ahead by 3 and it’s the top of the 9th and the Cards have the bases loaded. Simmons did not catch the second game but with the bags full he steps to the on deck circle. The Mets bring in John Matlack a starting pitcher to face Simmons. Both my friends know even though the Mets are my favorite team they hated the fact that Ted was my favorite player. Both of my friends turned to me and said what do you want to happen here? I said I want Matlack to get him out. Simmons kissed one right over the fence for a grand slam and the Cards won. Neither of my friends talked to me the rest of the day. Then in June 1979 saw Simmons kiss two a Dodger Stadium including another grand slam but that’s another story!
Forty-eight years later, it's still the best catch I've ever seen.
Me too buddy. Absolutely the best!!!
Endy Chavez in 2006 Game 7 NLCS was a better catch.
Tommie Agee's diving catch in on the warning track was better. Paul Blair hit it and if Agee doesn't make it is an inside the park home run.
Given the circumstances, I'd have to agree.
@@michaelverrastro8443 Agee could see the ball much, much better in both catches than Swoboda could. As far as difficulty, Swoboda.
Ron will be 80 on Sunday.
I swear that all Met fans actually willed Swoboda to make that catch. And he was not exactly known as a gold glove outfielder! There was something "mystical" about that whole season, the Mets winning the WS is still the most amazing thing I've ever seen in sports.
The New York Mets were destined to win this World Series. With two great catches by Tommie Agee, and an even greater one by Ron Swoboda, it was meant to be.
Loved that !! I remember watching this game and it was the greatest catch ever ! #4
Don't sleep on Joe Rudi's catch in '72.
Amazing dive catch.
Greatest catch ever..if he doesn’t make it the Mets probably lose the game and the series
He was my favorite baseball player
He was my favorite also.
hey Ron....there was 1 out when you made that catch
Yeah, and he made the catch for the first out.
Yup, there was 1 out and 1st and 3rd...but still a pretty good call😎
Ron Swoboda was being tongue in cheek here, but he really did make one of the greatest catches in World Series history. He was as surprised as anyone else that the ball ended up in his glove.
And Ron’s from Baltimore. Wild stuff
There was actually one out when Swoboda made that catch. He made all three putouts in that inning. I remember when he came to my middle school in January of 1969. Every year they'd have a Father-Son night featuring a Yankee or Met. In 1968, Tug McGraw was the guest speaker and Gene Michael came out in 1970. My father remembered that evening with Swoboda for the rest of his life.
I hated the Mets, but the Swoboda catch is the greatest and most meaningful catch in World Series History.
I agree that this was most meaningful catch in baseball history. It took any life that the Orioles had left right out of them. It said it all, "we are not going to lose this world series". The Orioles were rallying and without this catch, the results may have been a lot different. I was not a Mets fan either, at the time but I was a National league fan when it came to the world series. I despised American league teams. I saw the catch when it happened on TV. i was 18 at the time. This never gets old. I watch it every once in a while.
I remember that year because the Cubs had somewhere around a 6.5 game lead and the Mets overtook them to go to the playoffs and then the World Series. Given the situation, it is the greatest catch in Series history. @@bobroth1951
Oh what a great video! Makes life worth living! And I remember Rocky, as a Yankee, throwing himself into the right field porch at the pre-1974 Yankee stadium to catch a ball that had already gone over the fence and rob some poor guy of a HR.
If I'm not mistaken, that's the one where Ron hit the porch, his body -- half in the field and half off of the field -- spun axially (like a figure skater!) along the porch edge just after he snagged the ball, and when he spun back on to the field (his cap flying off, which happened a lot with Ron!) he came up riding the momentum and firing the ball back in. He looked kind of pissed (pain + gotcha determination)! I wish there was video of that.
@@hlcepeda yup. That's how I remember that play too. :)
Love it!
They don't show it here, but when Swoboda threw home, Tommie Agee was still in his center field position and was not backing up the play...so if that ball got past Ron (quite possible given his desperate leap and stab) Boog Powell would have no doubt scored the go ahead run from where he was, between 1st and 2nd. That really was the greatest catch in World Series history, with Mays-Wertz 2nd.
Amazin'
Perfecto!
It truly was the greatest catch
in World Series history.
Just as special as Agee’s first Amazin’ catch, and in total the three best catches in any World Series n mlb history
Good old Rocky.
It might not have even be the best catch that GAME! But it was Amazing. Way to go, Rocky!
Wow,a major leaguer who could bunt!
I haven't seen that in a few decades.
OH YES INDEED, VERY GOOD. I WAS A KID BY THEN, I REMENBER IT VIVIDLY .
That was the most amazing catch in Mets history!
the most amazing catch in mlb PERIOD....anyone who has ever played outfield in baseball can appreciate the amazing skill and hustle this took !!!
@@robertpucci9585 Ordinarily, that ball goes to the wall clearing the bases for Mets fans of lore. You could hear all of NY state scream when Swoboda made that catch!
@@robertpucci9585 Robert Pucci from Southwood Circle?
@@BeijingYank nope, from Canada 🙂
@@robertpucci9585 Great family name! Loved the father! Great artist too. Cheers.
great catch, shows how good a base runner frank robinson was, tagging all the way. there was actually 1 out when swoboda made the catch, would boog powell have scored from 1st if it had got thru? you have to wonder why he wasn't pulled for a pinch runner, he was the go ahead run in the 9th. tommy agee in center no doubt backing the play up. the orioles would also have 2 on in the 10th with 1 out. against seaver.
Number 4 was my baseball hero
55 years ago and to this day The Greatest catch in World Series History Given he is not a particularly top tier athletic Ability fielder lends how important this catch was ! It truly saved the game nullified momentum and helped win the Series ! # 2 ? Probably Pete Rose catching Bob Boone popup drop in 9th inning 1980 Series
Face plant. Nice !!
Nice job Ronnie! Amazing catch!
he made an entire life out of one play
He almost let the third out go over his head!
The funny thing is, no one EVER practices full sprint, full extension layout diving catches. Theres a moment as he's racing to the ball watching it descend toward the grass where he has to make a decision. Dive or chase it. Somehow he must have believed he could. That it was possible. So he laid out. And got it. Go Mets.
Some said an intelligent , strategic thinking outfielder would not have attempted that catch for fear of it getting past him and opening the door for the O’s to have a big, game winning inning.
My team!
The Mets were America's team in 1969.
Just the names he rattled off - man - those were the days! Baseball today isn't nearly as interesting or fun to watch!
WTG Rocky
I know he caught that ball, but I still don't believe it.
Holy cow?? That's Phil Rizzuto's line!
Willy Mays made the greatest catch in World Series history...
greatest catch ever, easily
Not even close. Jim Edmonds laying out with his back to home plate is the greatest catch ever. Nothing else even close.
he misses that and the orioles win.
Greatest catch in World Series. Greatest catch ever was made by Gary Mathew’s Jr. while playing for Texas
Texas Rangers did not play in the World Series in the 3 years that Matthews played for them
Now, as someone who watched Met games since they came into existence, I can definitely say that Ron Swoboda was a terrible outfielder. His catch here in the Series looked good but was probably fueled by his terrible jump on the ball. A good outfielder would have made the catch with no noise whatsoever.
Piss off, pigeon.
He got a horrible jump on the ball. A good outfielder would have made it a routine play.
I know several people who have said that.
Jealous? ???
There were bad afternoon shadows that covered the batters box. A late jump is understandable.
Mediocre.