THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 9
"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER"...

September 4, 1986 ... The New York Mets were in town for a charity exhibition game with the Red Sox. The formal program got under way with the home run-hitting contest at 6:30. Bud Harrelson pitched to Mets Lee Mazzilli, Kevin Mitchell and Gary Carter. Marc Sullivan pitched to Wade Boggs, Tony Armas and Don Baylor. Dave Stapleton was the catcher. Each batter got 10 swings. Carter hit five homers and the Mets won the contest, 9-5.

The highlight of the home run-hitting contest came when Al Nipper and Bruce Hurst smacked Ojeda in the face with a pie as Ojeda sat by the railing behind the visitors' on-deck circle.

The pregame introductions provided one of the best moments of the night. All players were introduced, just as they are before World Series games and a couple of the Sox scapegoats were prepared for a Bronx cheer from the Back Bay mob. When it came time for Bob Stanley's introduction, the Steamer stepped forward with maligned coach Rene Lachemann. They clasped hands and raised their arms in a gesture of triumph.

It was downhill from there. The Mets beat the Sox, 7-3, before a crowd of 33,057, and everybody toasted everybody else after the game.