Ed Kranepool, who jumped from a Bronx high school to the big leagues with the original Mets at the age of 17 ... as a senior ...

On the playing field, however, baseball fans were treated to an exciting division race in the National League East between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, two teams noted for their losing ways.

in which the Mets upset the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in five games. After his only season in New York, DiLauro was selected by the Houston Astros in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 1, 1969.