The Cubs had just dropped three of four to the Cardinals in St. Louis, trimming their N.L. East lead from eight games to 5½, when they traveled to Shea Stadium to open a series against the Mets July 8, 1969.
The Mets had been the surprise team of the league up to then. They had yet to have a winning season in their seven-year history, but were 45-34 entering this series and 7½ games ahead of the third-place Cardinals, the defending league champions.
55,096 crowded into every bit of Shea to see this Tuesday afternoon matchup between the contenders.