Night and Day, Mets Are Blacked Out

In the depths of the blackout Wednesday night at Shea Stadium, the crowd of 22,000 was singing, “White Christmas” along with Jane Jarvis at the organ while the Mets held a shadowy infield drill without a baseball, bathed in the headlights of players cars parked in center field.

Darkness fell on the sweltering stands when the Mets were trailing the Cubs 2-1 in the sixth inning. For the next two hours, the players and Miss Jarvis spent their time keeping things relaxed and easing the crowd toward the exits. The result was a cheerful communal experience.

“This is the safest and coolest place to be – right here,” said Donald Grant, who addressed the crowd in measured tones in the midst of the enforced gaiety. Grant escaped the booing that has been his lot since he traded Tom Seaver by not identifying himself when he spoke.

The Mets’ plans to resume the suspended game before their scheduled afternoon encounter with the Cubs was thwarted by the continued lack of power. Both games were postponed and will be played in September. Torre was not sorry to see the games put off. His two best left-handed hitters, Milner and Kranepool are injured and the Mets have to play 5 games in 48 hours over the weekend.

excerpt from Paul Montgomery NYT 7/15/77