Mets-Washington Opening Day: Jesse Orosco To Throw Opening Pitch

From the NY Mets

Jesse Orosco, who struck out Boston's Marty Barrett to end Game
Seven of the 1986 World Series, will throw out the ceremonial first
pitch to Gary Carter on Opening Day, Monday, April 3rd, prior to the
Mets-Washington game at 1:10 pm.
Orosco and Carter will be on the field at Shea Stadium 20 years
after the battery mates helped propel New York to their second World
Championship with the 8-5 triumph over the Red Sox on October 27,
1986. Jesse picked up two saves in the World Series, including Game
Seven, while Gary led the team with nine RBI during the Series.

The duo also closed out the Houston Astros in the Game Six of the
1986 National League Championship. Orosco struck out Kevin Bass in
the bottom of the 16th inning with the winning run on first base to
preserve a 7-6 victory.

Jesse, who picked up the win working 3.0 innings of relief in that
contest, became the first pitcher to earn three victories in one
League Championship Series.

"I pitched for a lot of clubs," said Orosco, who performed in the
majors for 24 years and still holds the record for most appearances
(1,252) by a pitcher. "I still have vivid memories of the Kevin Bass
and Marty Barrett at-bats. My fastball wasn't working at all against
Bass and I knew I had to get by with my breaking ball. Davey Johnson
gave me all the confidence in the world, when he said 'We are
winning or losing this game with you.' That meant a lot.

"With Barrett, I thought I was coming into the game, but with so
many police and horses in the bullpen, I could barely see a thing.
When we won I threw my glove in the air and I couldn't believe what
we had just accomplished."

Jesse pitched with the Mets from 1979-1987. He went 8-6 with 20
saves in 58 games in 1986.

"After the World Series ended Jesse and I jumped into each other's
arm," stated Carter. "We plan to jump again next month but it won't
be as high because we are both a little older. It will be exciting
for me to see Jesse on the mound at Shea again."

Gary, who was inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 2003, was a
member of the Mets from 1985-1989. He hit .255 with 24 home runs and
105 RBI in 1986. This season Gary will manage the St. Lucie (A) of
the Florida State League.