New York Mets: Five great pitching performances in home opener through the years
1983: Seaver Returns
The previous page was his last opening day start…until this one. Seaver was reacquired in a trade prior to the 1983 season and slated as the opening day starter at Shea Stadium. Mets fans who felt scorned by the 1977 trade packed themselves into Shea on the afternoon of April 5 to the tune of 46,687. They were treated to a matchup of all-time greats as Seaver took on Steve Carlton.
It was a good one, as Carlton and Seaver traded zeros on the scoreboard for six innings. Seaver scattered just three hits, walking one and striking out five. He unfortunately came out after six innings so he didn’t figure into the decision. In the bottom of the seventh, the Mets started the inning with three straight singles by Dave Kingman, George Foster and Hubie Brooks. A single by Mike Howard and a sacrifice fly by Brian Giles made the score 2-0 in favor of the Mets.
That was all the Mets needed as Doug Sisk pitched the final three innings to earn the victory. Yes, the other games so far have been complete and this one was only six innings. It’s included on the list because for six innings, the old Mets magic was back. Seaver took the mound and pitched like he never left Queens. It was a special night for the Mets and for Mets fans so it earns mention on this list of performances.