Reminiscing with Dave Mlicki

By Jay Horwitz

Dave Mlicki knows it's June again because balls, cards, and newspapers are flooding his mailbox in his Ohio home, all awaiting his signature. Dave signs each item with a smile.

“It’s nice that Mets’ fans still remember me,” Dave told me with a laugh. “It was probably the best night of my career. I think what made it so special is that I was so unexpected by so many.”

Twenty-four years ago tonight at Yankee Stadium, in the first regular-season meeting between the cross-town rivals, Dave spun a complete game, nine-hitter to lead the Mets to a 6–0 triumph.

“There is so much build-up for the game,” Dave recalled. “It had a World Series atmosphere. I remember the Mets fans cheering from the stands when the game was over. It was a night to remember, that’s for sure.”

I waited for Dave to do his interviews which lasted over 90 minutes. We missed the bus going back to Shea and took a cab together.

“ I am proud of what our team did that night at Yankee Stadium,” Mlicki said to me. “It's something our family will always treasure.”