2021 Mets Edge Rival Reds for Long Island Midweek 48+ Division Championship

Long Island Mid-Week, 48+ Division

Mets 6, Reds 5

‘Vardaro Pickoff Seals the Deal’

Submitted by John Alutto, Mets manager

For the second straight year, the Reds and the Mets locked up in the 48+ Long Island Mid-Week finals. Last year the Mets dropped two one-run games. This year all three games were decided by a single run.

Game one was won by the Mets, 4-3 led by a great effort on the mound by Pete Vardaro, and a 3-run home run by Frank Esposito. The Mets dropped game two, 4-3 despite a great complete-game effort by pitcher Joe Fanti.

After a week’s layoff, the Mets came back with Fanti in game three. After the Mets got off to a 6-2 lead, the Reds battled back to within a run and the Mets turned to Vardaro in the bullpen. Clinging to a one-run lead, Pete retired the first two and the Mets were an out away from winning the championship.

The next batter singled and stole second but the crafty Vardaro picked him off second to seal the championship. The offense in game three was paced by ex-Reds Bob Oliva and Ray Herzog, who both delivered clutch RBI hits. The Mets 2021 Championship season was a complete team effort as every player contributed to our winning effort.