1986 Mets vs. 1998 Yankees Game 2 – Dwight Gooden takes the mound

In light of recent events, it is bittersweet that WhatIfSports‘ simulation of a Subway World Series between the 1986 Mets and the 1998 Yankees sends Dwight Gooden to the mound for the Mets in Game 2 of their best-of-seven simulation.

But what is truly strange from this Met fan’s perspective is that opposing Gooden is none other than David Cone.

Cone was not on the 1986 Mets, but joined them the following year in a trade with Kansas City.

Here’s something that really seems unthinkable today – In 1986, the Royals were defending World Champions.

Gooden took the loss in Game 2 of the 1986 World Series, allowing five earned runs in five innings, including homers by Dave Henderson and Dwight Evans.

Doc fared better in this Game 2, allowing three earned runs in seven innings, including a two-run homer by Scott Brosius in the sixth that put the 1998 Yankees up, 3-0.

But Cone was better, shutting out the 1986 Mets over seven.

In the top of the eighth, future Met Mike Stanton came in and promptly blew the lead. Darryl Strawberry reached on an error by Brosius, Keith Hernandez walked and Gary Carter hit a three-run homer to tie the game at 3.

But in the bottom of the eighth, Jesse Orosco entered the game and quickly loaded the bases with none out, walking Tino Martinez and Jorge Posada and plunking Chad Curtis. Scott Brosius then hit into a double play, scoring Tino with what would turn out to be the winning run.

Mariano Rivera closed it out in the ninth, striking out 1998 teammate Strawberry for the final out. Jeff Nelson, who got the final two outs in the eight, got the win, while Orosco took the loss.

The 1986 Mets – 1998 Yankees World Subway Series is now tied at a game apiece.

Read the Game 2 box score and game summary.

The good folks at WhatIfSports, who run SimLeague Baseball and Hardball Dynasty have run a best-of-seven scenario for us- a Subway World Series, if you will – between the two teams. And each day this week, we’ll feature one of the games here at Subway Squawkers.