The defending World Champion Mets took the field in 1970 knowing that the key to another successful season would be anchored by their tremendous pitching staff. Tom Seaver, the leader of that staff, had, in only three years, achieved more individual success than anyone in the short history of the team. Although he had already secured a Cy Young Award, the 1967 Rookie of the Year Award, and three All-Star selections, no one in the sparse midweek crowd on April 22, 1970, could foresee the unprecedented leap into the record books for The Franchise on this cool spring afternoon.

You could tell early on that Seaver had his good stuff, striking out two San Diego Padre batters in the first inning. Although he was tagged for a lead-off home run in the second inning by Al Ferrara, that was one of only two hits he would allow on the day. The Mets had countered that homer with runs in the first on an RBI double by Ken Boswell, and an RBI triple in the third by Bud Harrelson. On this day, that would be the only offense either side could muster.

Seaver was in charge, striking out one in the second inning, and two each in the third, fourth and fifth innings. With one out in the sixth inning, Cito Gaston hit a harmless fly ball to right field. Most days that would be an overlooked footnote to otherwise tightly pitched ball game. Except on this day, off of Tom Seaver, that was the last ball put in play. Seaver struck out Al Ferrera to end the sixth. He then struck out the side in the seventh. As the afternoon shadows started covering the infield, he struck out the side in the eighth inning. Leaving him with 16 Ks for the game, and an astonishing 7 in a row! The Major League record of eight consecutive strikeouts was originally set in the late 1800s and Tom Terrific was one away from tying the mark.

As Seaver took the mound to start the ninth inning, he knew he needed his best stuff to protect a one-run lead and give his team a much-needed early-season victory. Van Kelly was the first batter. Strike tree swinging! Then Cito Gaston, the last batter to put a ball in play back in the sixth. Strike three looking! A new record! Now all that stood between Seaver and victory was Al Ferrara, who had gone deep in the second inning. Strike three Swinging! A new Major League record of 10 straight strikeouts, and a Major League-tying 19 strikeouts for the game!