The game stayed tied until the 12th when with one out Wally Backman got an infield single off Kerfeld. Backman then took second on Kerfeld’s errant throw on a pick-off attempt. Houston manager Hal Lanier opted to intentionally walk Keith Hernandez and pitch to Gary Carter, who had been just 1-for-21 in the series, but the catcher came through, lashing a single to center to give the Mets the win and a one-game lead as the series shifted back to Houston. Jesse Orosco again earned the win for New York by hurling two perfect innings.
This video featuring the 12th inning of Game 5 of the 1986 NLCS between the Houston Astros vs New York Mets poignantly depicts Bone Daddy’s downward spiral into the “abyss of eating pie”….for Bone Daddy had been a vociferously razzing fan of the Houston Astros while sitting behind the Mets dugout in the midst of a whole bunch of rabid Mets fans….I mean New Yorkers who like to eat raw meat….especially Astro fans who were sitting smack dabb in the middle of their own compound.
I have written stories regarding the incredibly loud and penetrating voice that Bone Dady was blessed with…..plus I have told many tales of his keenly uncanny ability to affect ball players level of play on the field by finding out “little nuggets of gold” that he could use on the opposing players…..like the affectionate “whisper in your ear” name that the player’s girlfriend might call him….and BD would persistantly drive the sharp point of that lil piece of “secret only shared between lovers” point home throughout the entire game. So, after 12 innings of Bone Daddy going “toe to toe” with the N Y Mets fans for 12 long emotionally-packed innings….and standing his own….so, when the 12th was over….needless to say, the Mets fans brought all kinds of “humble pie” down on Bone Daddy.
Simply put, this was not one of Bone Daddy’s happiest moments…..but it certainly was one of his most impactful and memorable… for Bone Daddy still declares that the Astros had the game won in 9 innings…..had the umpire made the correct call at 1st base on Craig Reynolds being out insted of…..as all videos show today….safe !!!
