Al Weis, a player primarily known for his defensive skills, emerged as an unlikely hero for the New York Mets during their improbable 1969 World Series victory. Despite a career batting average of .219, Weis delivered crucial hits and played a significant role in the Mets' championship run, particularly in the World Series itself. His journey from a utility infielder to a player who tied Game 5 with a home run encapsulates the "Miracle Mets" narrative,
where unexpected contributions led to an historic triumph.
Weis's path to the Mets and his eventual World Series heroics began after high school when he joined the United States Navy. It was while playing baseball at Naval Station Norfolk that he caught the attention of the Chicago White Sox, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 1959. After four years in their farm system, where he maintained a .266 batting average with fifteen home runs and 159 runs batted in, Weis received a September call-up in 1962. His initial Major League stint was brief, batting only .083 in seven games.
Early Career and Defensive Prowess
Upon joining the New York Mets, manager Gil Hodges primarily valued Weis for his defensive abilities. However, his Mets debut on April 15, 1968, brought an unfortunate distinction. In the bottom of the 24th inning against the Houston Astros, Weis committed an error that allowed the winning run to score, ending what was then the longest game by time in Major League Baseball history. For the 1968 season, Weis batted .172 with one home run and twelve RBIs, serving as a backup at the middle infield positions behind Bud Harrelson and Ken Boswell.
The 1969 season saw some early offensive flashes from Weis. On July 15, facing the first-place Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, he hit a three-run home run off former Met Dick Selma, leading the second-place Mets to a 5–4 victory. He followed this with his second home run of the season the very next day, contributing to another Mets win that narrowed the gap in the National League East to just four games. Despite these moments, the Cubs later widened their lead to ten games before the Mets began their remarkable surge, eventually taking first place on September 10 and winning the division by eight games.
World Series Impact and Defining Moments
While Ken Boswell was a standout in the 1969 National League Championship Series, Weis saw limited action, logging only one at-bat. However, his playing time significantly increased in the World Series. In Game 1, facing Cy Young Award winner Mike Cuellar, Weis's sacrifice fly accounted for the Mets' only run in a game where the Orioles scored four runs off Tom Seaver. His most dramatic moment came in Game 2. With two outs in the ninth inning and runners on first and third, Weis singled to left field, driving in the game-winning run.
Game 5 proved to be another pivotal moment for Weis and the Mets. With the Mets holding a 3-1 series lead, Orioles pitcher Dave McNally hit a two-run home run in the third inning, followed by a solo shot from Frank Robinson, giving Baltimore a 3–0 lead. Donn Clendenon's two-run home run in the sixth inning brought the score to 3–2. Leading off the seventh inning, Weis stepped up to the plate and hit a home run off McNally to left field, tying the game. The Mets went on to score two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, securing their improbable World Series victory. For the series, the career .219 hitter batted an impressive .455 with three RBIs. While Donn Clendenon was named the World Series MVP, Weis received the Series' Babe Ruth Award, acknowledging his critical contributions.
Post-Championship Career
Following the 1969 World Series, Weis's playing time diminished substantially in the second half of the 1970 season with the arrival of former first overall draft pick Tim Foli in the majors. He was eventually released by the Mets midway through the 1971 season, having appeared in just eleven games that year. Despite a relatively short and statistically modest career, Al Weis's performance in the 1969 World Series cemented his place in Mets history as a key contributor to one of baseball's most memorable underdog stories.
