Robin Ventura and John Olerud Re-Watch Grand Slam Single | Mets Rewind

One of the WILDEST games in postseason history, relived by the players who lived it. Robin Ventura’s “Grand Slam Single” is legendary. But the stories behind it? Even better.

The 1999 NLCS Game 5 between the Mets and Braves wasn’t just a game. It was 5 hours and 46 minutes of chaos, rain, drama, and one of the strangest walk-offs ever.

Keith Raad sits down with Robin Ventura and John Olerud to break down EVERYTHING. From facing Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, to 15 pressure-packed innings, to the moment Shea Stadium absolutely erupted.

0:00 – Intro: The 1999 NLCS Game 5… and a 5 hour, 46 minute marathon
0:30 – Down 3-0 to the Braves… facing elimination
1:03 – What it felt like going up against the Braves dynasty
1:33 – Did they know history was coming?
2:56 – Facing Greg Maddux: “It felt like he read your mind”
5:01 – Olerud’s HUGE early home run (2-0 Mets)
7:20 – The difference in pitching philosophy in the 90s vs today
8:20 – Braves strike back: tension starts building
9:29 – Ventura joins the Mets: why 1999 felt special
11:15 – The Mets’ elite infield defense
13:38 – Bobby Valentine’s wild bullpen chess match
14:49 – Late innings pressure: every play matters
16:50 – Rain starts pouring… field conditions get brutal
18:20 – Extra innings fatigue: “just hold the line”
20:37 – Shea Stadium crowd goes INSANE for 15 innings
22:00 – Bench players step up in a marathon game
24:34 – Braves take the lead in the 15th (3-2)
24:52 – Shawon Dunston’s legendary at-bat begins
25:20 – “You’re going to win the game” 👀
26:19 – Down to their FINAL chance
28:02 – Rain, chaos, and belief something would happen
30:16 – Dunston reaches… rally starts
31:19 – Small ball vs modern baseball 👀
32:26 – Todd Pratt delivers: tie game
33:22 – Ventura at the plate: “Don’t hit into a double play”
34:10 – THE SWING… and instant chaos
35:14 – The “Grand Slam Single” confusion explained
36:02 – Teammates mob Ventura before he finishes the bases 😂
37:48 – What players were thinking during the play
39:28 – Why this moment still lives forever in Mets history
40:54 – “500,000 people say they were at that game”
41:20 – Shea Stadium energy was DIFFERENT

What other ICONIC Mets games do you want to re-watch? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember to...
👍 Like
✅
🔔

Check out m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of videos, and .com/MLB

About MLB.com:
Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced on January 19, 2000, that the 30 Major League club owners voted unanimously to centralize all of Baseball's internet operations into an independent technology company. Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) was formed and charged with developing, building and managing the most comprehensive baseball experience available on the internet. In August 2002, MLB.com streamed the first-ever live, full length MLB game when the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees faced off at Yankee Stadium. Since that time, millions of baseball fans around the world have subscribed to MLB.TV, the live video streaming product that airs every game in HD to nearly 400 different devices. MLB.com also provides an array of mobile apps for fans to choose from, including At Bat, the highest-grossing iOS sports app of all-time. MLB.com features a stable of club beat reporters and award-winning national columnists, the largest contingent of baseball reporters under one roof, who deliver over 100 original articles every day. MLB.com also offers extensive historical information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and collectibles and fantasy games.

Major League Baseball consists of 30 teams split between the American and National Leagues. The American League, originally founded in 1901, consists of the following teams: Baltimore Orioles; Boston Red Sox; Chicago White Sox; Cleveland Indians; Detroit Tigers; Houston Astros; Kansas City Royals; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Minnesota Twins; New York Yankees; Oakland Athletics; Seattle Mariners; Tampa Bay Rays; Texas Rangers; and Toronto Blue Jays. The National League, originally founded in 1876, consists of the following teams: Arizona Diamondbacks; Atlanta Braves; Chicago Cubs; Cincinnati Reds; Colorado Rockies; Los Angeles Dodgers; Miami Marlins; Milwaukee Brewers; New York Mets; Philadelphia Phillies; Pittsburgh Pirates; San Diego Padres; San Francisco Giants; St. Louis Cardinals; and Washington Nationals.