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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
I hear Ron Swoboda went to Sparrows Point High School in Baltimore, Maryland. So did I, Michael Ray Sigmon. I am a legend at Sparrows Point High School. I heard the legend before me that Ron Swoboda hit a home run that reached the tennis court. I for one, played left field on the very same field and I can testify that it must be at least 600 feet to that fence, but the tale is that he knocked it completely over that fence which would have been at least a 700-foot homerun. Still not the record for Dundalk or the world for that matter because I was on deck when Michael Bielecki hit a homerun 697 foot at Dundalk Post 38 American Legion. Here is my fastball at 65 years old. Grab a bat! czcams.com/video/3Zd5e0mEN28/video.html
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'!!!
Saved the game
Amazing ! Let's Go Ron !
That whole season was just crazy for New York. So many magical plays - like Ron’s catch. The Jets, the Mets, the Knicks.
A lot of fun Ron. And yes, it does get my vote as the best ever in the World Series.
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.
Great catch and great call.
The 1969 World Series got me into baseball.One of the best sets of World Series games ever played...GO METS!
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!
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!
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.
Great call, Ron! You got it right - I’ve never been more stunned by a web gem.
If you are old enough to remember it, you remember it.
Gotta love this!
If I could upvote this all day long I would
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 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.
He tells the story like he is a teenage kid. It is fun to watch and hear.
He was my favorite baseball player
He was my favorite also.
Awesome! I remember watching that on a small black and white TV! Lol
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.
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.
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.
Loved that !! I remember watching this game and it was the greatest catch ever ! #4
loved that guy! lol
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.
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
Amazing dive catch.
Greatest catch ever..if he doesn’t make it the Mets probably lose the game and the series
It might not have even be the best catch that GAME! But it was Amazing. Way to go, Rocky!
Perfecto!
Good old 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 .
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.
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
Amazin'
Love it!
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 !!!
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. :)
Number 4 was my baseball hero
Face plant. Nice !!
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😎
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.
he made an entire life out of one play
I hear Ron Swoboda went to Sparrows Point High School in Baltimore, Maryland. So did I, Michael Ray Sigmon. I am a legend at Sparrows Point High School. I heard the legend before me that Ron Swoboda hit a home run that reached the tennis court. I for one, played left field on the very same field and I can testify that it must be at least 600 feet to that fence, but the tale is that he knocked it completely over that fence which would have been at least a 700-foot homerun. Still not the record for Dundalk or the world for that matter because I was on deck when Michael Bielecki hit a homerun 697 foot at Dundalk Post 38 American Legion. Here is my fastball at 65 years old. Grab a bat! czcams.com/video/3Zd5e0mEN28/video.html
Nice job Ronnie! Amazing catch!
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.
My team!
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.
WTG Rocky
He almost let the third out go over his head!
I know he caught that ball, but I still don't believe it.
Holy cow?? That's Phil Rizzuto's line!
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.
Willy Mays made the greatest catch in World Series history...
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.