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The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves played in a modern baseball classic on Monday, September 30, with the Mets winning the win-and-in game by a score of 8-7 courtesy of a 9th-inning two-run home run from Francisco Lindor.
Given that the double-header between the Braves and Mets was essentially a pair of playoff games, the games were broadcast on ESPN 2 in addition to local Mets and Brave TV stations/radios.
Another unexpected place the game was covered was Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo’s radio show, where the veteran New York City sports radio personality delivered an electric impromptu play-by-play call of the action between the Bravos and the Metropolitans.
The first clip that went viral was of Russo detailing the Braves storming back from 6-3 down to retake a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning.
SOMEONE HIRE @MadDogUnleashed TO CALL POSTSEASON BASEBALL!YOU CAN’T GET MORE ELECTRIC THAN THIS BRAVES-METS CALL!!! pic.twitter.com/JIu5lRNXNr
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) September 30, 2024
Then came the true highlight — so much so that it was featured on ESPN’s morning show Get Up! on Tuesday — of Mad Dog calling Lindor’s epic game-winning home run, which included the invention of a new word: “whatabaseballgame.”
AND NOW THE LINDOR HOMER! pic.twitter.com/cMcDk3jo18
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) September 30, 2024
With the win over the Braves in Game 1 of the double-header — which saw Mets closer Edwin Diaz refuse to be taken out of the game in the ninth inning after melting down in the eighth — the Mets qualified for the playoffs for just the 11th time in fracnhise history.
Their loss in Game 2 of the doubleheader — which also clinched a playoff spot for the Braves — sent the Mets to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers in the Wild Card round, which begins on Tuesday, October 1.
The Mets and Brewers just played a three-game series over the weekend, with the Brew Crew winning 2-1. That one win by the Mets, however, put them in the position to clinch against the Braves on Monday.