Doug Sisk and Jesse Orosco were an effective relief duo for the Mets in 1983 and 1984, with Sisk saving 11 games in 1983 and a career-high 15 in 1984. The excellent movement on his pitches caused some of his frequent control problems. An excellent ground-ball pitcher, he rarely allowed home runs, especially to righthanded batters, and he went all of the Mets' 1986 World Championship season without giving up a single homer.
Recurring periods of ineffectiveness starting in 1985 reduced him to a set-up and then a mop-up role. His wildness caused him problems, and his strength as a ground-ball pitcher was negated by the New York infield, which was fairly immobile except for first baseman Keith Hernandez. Limited success after going to Baltimore for 1988 effectively ended his career. An attempted comeback in 1990 proved fruitless. (SH/JT)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»April 5, 1983: In his first appearance as a Met since 1977, Tom Seaver combines with Doug Sisk to shut out the Phillies 2–0 on five hits. It is Seaver's 14th National League Opening Day assignment, tying Walter Johnson's record with Washington.
»July 22, 1986:
The Mets win a crazy five-hour marathon with the Reds in 14 innings, winning 6–3 (as recalled by Bill Deane). Setting the tone, Darryl Strawberry is ejected after arguing a called 3rd strike in the 5th. In the 9th, Howard Johnson inadvertently kicks the ball after Reds C Bo Diaz drops a third strike. Johnson runs out of the baseline and is hit in the back with the throw from pitcher Ron Robinson. Reds coach Billy DeMars is ejected for arguing the safe call. The Mets, down 3–1, with two out, tie the game when Dave Parker who drops a routine fly ball. In the 10th, Davey Johnson sends in pitcher Rick Aguilera to hit for pitcher Doug Sisk. Aguilera walks, but is stranded. In the Reds 10th, pinch-runner Eric Davis steals 2B and 3B, bumping into Ray Knight. Knight decks Davis and both benches empty. Knight, Davis, Kevin Mitchell and Mario Soto are ejected. Gary Carter moves to 3B, McDowell comes in to pitch, and Orosco moves from the mound to RF. With two out and a runner on 2B in the 11th, Orosco returns to pitch, McDowell moves to LF, and Mookie Wilson shifts to right. Rose protests when Orosco is permitted eight warm-up pitches. Orosco whiffs Max Venable to end the inning. In the 12th, The Mets are forced to lead off the inning with Orosco and McDowell, and go down in order. McDowell returns to pitch in the 13th and gets Tony Perez to fly to Orosco in right. Howard Johnson belts a three-run homer in the 14th and McDowell retires the side in order.
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