RELATED LINKS » 1973: The Incredible Stretch Run from The New York Mets Encyclopedia by Peter C. Bjarkman

Stone was a journeyman starter for the Braves who was acquired by the Mets in November 1972, after his worst season (6-11, 5.51), along with Felix Millan in exchange for Gary Gentry and Dan Frisella. The trade was vital to the Mets' surprise 1973 NL pennant. Stone was 12-3 with a 2.80 ERA in that season, his best, and won eight straight decisions at the end of the year as the Mets vaulted from last to first. He made up for an incident the previous season, when his pitch broke Rusty Staub's hand, depriving the contending Mets of their best hitter for the balance of the season. In Game Three of the 1973 LCS, Stone pitched six innings of shutout ball, but then surrendered a solo homer to Tony Perez, tying the game, which was won by the Reds in the 12th inning. He was never effective again, posting ERAs above 5.00 the next two seasons before he was released. (SFS)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 23, 1966: The Braves move into 1st place by pounding the Astros 10–2. George Stone is the winner over Jim Bouton. » June 3, 1972: Rusty Staub of the Mets is struck in the right hand by a George Stone pitch during a game with the Braves. Staub, who missed seven games in the past four seasons, will miss 90 games this year. » November 2, 1972: The Mets trade pitchers Gary Gentry and Danny Frisella to the Braves for 2B Felix Milan and P George Stone, both of whom will contribute significantly to the Mets 1973 pennant.