A game for the Birds

The Baltimore Orioles enjoy a nice start to the 1969 World Series 54 years ago today as New York Mets right fielder Ron Swoboda cannot reach Don Buford’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the first inning.

Buford’s homer off the second pitch of the game from Tom Seaver gives Baltimore the early lead in their 4-1 victory over New York in the Series opener before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 50,429 at Memorial Stadium.

As he circles the bases, the ever-confident Buford says to Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson, “You guys ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Buford is right, but not for the reasons he thinks as his leadoff homer turns out to be the Orioles’ last highlight of the Series as the once woebegone Mets go on to win four straight games for the title and stun Baltimore along with the rest of the baseball world.