Right-handed pitcher Dave Mlicki pitched in 122 games for the Mets from 1995-1998 and posted just a 24-30 record with 1 save and a 4.15 ERA. But he will forever hold a soft spot in the hearts of Mets fans because of one magical night on June 16, 1997 at Yankee Stadium. On that night the Mets faced their cross-town rivals the New York Yankees in the first ever regular season game between the two teams. The Yankees were the defending World Series Champions but on that night Mlicki owned them. He pitched a complete game shutout and struck out 8 batters as the Mets won 6-0. Though the Mets would lose the next two games, for one night they owned bragging rights in the Big Apple.
The Mets acquired Dave Mlicki on November 18, 1994 from the Cleveland Indians along with Paul Byrd, Jerry Dipoto and Jesus Azuaje in exchange for Jeromy Burnitz and Joe Roa. Mlicki started the season in the bullpen and made his Met debut on April 29, 1995. He pitched a scoreless 10th inning and struck out 2 batters and was the winning pitcher as the Mets defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 in 11 innings. He was moved to the starting rotation in May. He earned his first win as a starter on May 18 against the Houston Astros. He allowed 1 earned run over 7 innings as the Mets won 8-1. On August 7 he struck out 10 batters in 7 innings against the Florida Marlins. For the season Mlicki posted a 9-7 record with a 4.26 ERA in 29 appearances, 25 as a starter.
In 1996 Mlicki appeared in 51 games, all but 2 out of the bullpen, and posted a 6-7 record with 1 save and a 3.30 ERA. He earned his only save of the season on June 21 when he pitched the final 3 innings in the Mets 9-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
He returned to the starting rotation in 1997 and led the Mets with 32 starts, He finished with an 8-12 record with a 4.00 ERA. Due in large part to his victory over the Yankees he was named National League Player of the Week for the week ending June 22.
Mlicki appeared in 10 games for the Mets in 1998 all as a starter and posted a 1-4 record with a 5.68 ERA. His only victory came on May 5 when he pitched a complete game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Met traded Mlicki to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Greg McMichael on June 4 in exchange for Hideo Nomo and Brad Clontz.
While with the Mets Mlicki wore number 38.
Dave Mlicki also played for the following teams:
Cleveland Indians – 1992-1993
Los Angeles Dodgers – 1998,1999
Detroit Tigers = 1999-2001
Houston Astros – 2001,2002
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