At a recent event hosted by the Nick Loeb Foundation, New York Mets legend Mookie Wilson sat down with World Baseball Network’s Reginald Armstrong for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, legacy, and the moment that forever linked him to one of baseball’s most iconic rallies. The interview was part of WBN’s sponsorship of special community events like this one — a celebration that brought together fans, local leaders, and even the police for an evening of stories, connection, and baseball history.
A key catalyst of the 1986 World Series champion Mets, Wilson combined speed, grit, and quiet confidence. Over 12 Major League seasons — the first decade in Queens — his hustle, clutch play, and approachable personality made him a beloved figure in Mets history. At the Nick Loeb Foundation event, Wilson opened up about the “little roller” that slipped past Bill Buckner in Game 6, the teammates and clubhouse chemistry that defined the ’86 Mets, and the enduring bond he still shares with the franchise and its fans.
Game 6, bottom of the 10th. Shea Stadium was shaking. Kevin Mitchell had just scored on a wild pitch, tying the game. Ten pitches later, Wilson chopped a grounder up the first-base line that skittered under Buckner’s glove. Ray Knight crossed the plate, and the Mets forced Game 7.
“In that moment, we live for the now,” Wilson said. “We don’t know how one play will affect the game or your career. I was the happiest man in the world.”
He believes the play did more than extend the series — it shifted its destiny. “That took the heart out of them. We were all but left for dead, and that moment gave us the swagger we’d had all year.”
While Wilson understood the importance of the hit, he didn’t fully appreciate its mythology until much later.
“I’ve been a baseball player all my life, but I was never a fan,” he admitted. “I didn’t stop to enjoy those moments when I played. Now fans tell me it’s etched in their memory, and I think, ‘Wow — I was part of that.’”
Heading into Game 7, Wilson never doubted the outcome. “Even when we were down a couple of runs, I never felt like we were going to lose. The momentum from Game 6 carried over. Honestly, I don’t think Boston thought we’d lose either.”
For Wilson, the championship was the culmination of trust and chemistry that defined the ’86 team. “At the ballpark, it was all business. Everybody gave everything they had — sink or swim.”
Wilson lit up when recalling Dwight Gooden’s rise. “From the first time I saw him in spring training, he belonged. No nerves, just poise. You watch that curveball drop off the table, the fastball blow by guys, and you know he’s special.”
On Howard Johnson: “Power, speed, versatility — he fit perfectly. People didn’t realize how important he was to that club.”
On Ray Knight: “Almost like our enforcer. Mild-mannered until provoked — like the time with Eric Davis in Cincinnati. He sent a message.”
On Darryl Strawberry: “A team guy through and through. He made things look so easy that sometimes you thought he could do more — but that was just Straw.”
Wilson has seen the Mets under very different ownerships.
“He’s brought more than money. He’s an owner and a fan — that can be a powerful combination.”
“I have all the respect in the world for Fred. He took me on my first public appearance. When I retired, he brought me back to work in community outreach. He’s a good man.”
Today, Wilson remains deeply connected to the organization. “I’m a team ambassador for the Mets. I work in community outreach, season tickets, sponsorship — whatever they need. I’m at the ballpark all the time, sometimes even cooking.”
As a token of appreciation, World Baseball Network presented Wilson with a custom challenge coin engraved with “Baseball Without Borders.”
“Thank you so much,” Wilson said. “I have a lot of family members who served in the military — Navy, Air Force. This means a lot.”
Reginald Armstrong: From stolen bases to one unforgettable ground ball — he was the pulse of the ’86 Mets, forever tied to baseball’s most poetic rally. A moment etched in memory, energy still felt in October air. I present to you, Mookie Wilson. Mookie, thank you for joining us.
Mookie Wilson: Thanks for having me. Beautiful day, isn’t it?
Reginald: It is. And you’re cooking over there — literally. For everyone watching, Mookie is also great with his culinary skills. What’s the one dish you’re making today that everyone should try?
Mookie: The mac and cheese. It’s outstanding, off the chain. But don’t limit yourself — we’ve got a lot of good stuff going on.
Reginald: Let’s get right into it. Game 6, bottom of the 10th. I know where I was — San Francisco, at a party in the North Beach section, surrounded by Mets haters. Bob Stanley on the mound, Kevin Mitchell had just scored on a wild pitch. Pandemonium at Shea Stadium. Ten pitches later — your ground ball. I can hear Vin Scully now: “Little roller up along first… behind the bag… it gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight, and the Mets win it!” In that moment, did you know what you had triggered?
Mookie: No. As players, we live in the moment. We don’t know what’s going to happen afterward, how one play might affect the game or your career. You just live for that moment. And in that moment, I was the happiest man in the world.
Reginald: That play sparked a rally so iconic, many still think it clinched the World Series.
Mookie: I agree. I think it took the heart out of them. We were all but left for dead, and that moment gave us the confidence and swagger we’d had all year.
Reginald: Do you reflect on the way that moment has taken on a mythology all its own?
Mookie: I’m surprised, honestly. I’ve been a baseball player all my life, but I was never a fan. I didn’t appreciate the moments that happened during the year because I was always playing. I think I enjoy that moment more now than I did then. Fans talk about it, and it’s etched in their memory. I’m proud to be part of that.
Reginald: You weren’t just part of it — you were the fulcrum of it. Now take us to Game 7, the final out, the actual championship. What emotions washed over you when it was truly won?
Mookie: Even when we were down a couple of runs, I never felt like we were going to lose. The momentum from Game 6 carried over. Honestly, I don’t think Boston thought we’d lose either. I remember looking over and thinking, “They’re done.”
Reginald: How often does that moment live with you — not just in public memory, but in quiet reflection?
Mookie: Sometimes I think about it and say, “Of all the things I’ve been through and places I could have been, that was my spot.” You can’t dream things like that. I’ve learned to appreciate it. People call me “Mookie ’86” now — they don’t even know my last name.
Reginald: Those Mets were not just talented and controversial — they were electric. What made that clubhouse different?
Mookie: They were real. They loved who they were, no pretending. Half the stories about that team are true — maybe more than half. But we respected each other and respected the game. Away from the ballpark we might have been different personalities, but at the ballpark it was all business. Everyone gave everything they had, and we trusted each other completely.
Reginald: Dwight Gooden’s rise was historic. What do you remember about his preparation, mindset, and presence?
Mookie: From the first time I saw him in spring training, he belonged. No nerves, just poise. You watch that curveball drop off the table, the fastball blow by guys, and you know he’s special.
Reginald: Howard Johnson — HoJo — came over from Detroit in ’85. What did he bring to that team?
Mookie: HoJo was rare. Power, speed, versatility — and he fit our style perfectly. I don’t think he could fully be himself in Detroit, but in New York he fit right in. People didn’t realize how important he was to that club.
Reginald: And Ray Knight?
Mookie: You can’t put a price on Ray Knight. He was almost like our enforcer. Mild-mannered until provoked — like that moment with Eric Davis in Cincinnati. He sent a message.
Reginald: And Darryl Strawberry?
Mookie: A team guy through and through. He made things look so easy that sometimes you thought he could do more — but that was just Straw.
Reginald: What has owner Steve Cohen brought to the modern Mets?
Mookie: He’s brought more than money. He’s an owner and a fan — that can be a powerful combination.
Reginald: And Fred Wilpon’s leadership during your era?
Mookie: I have the utmost respect for Fred. He took me on my first public appearance. Being an owner is hard — you have a lot of people to please — but Fred is a good man. When I was traded to Toronto, he told me he wanted me back in New York when I retired. He kept that promise, bringing me back to work in community outreach.
Reginald: What are you involved in these days, and how can people connect with you?
Mookie: I’m a team ambassador for the Mets. I work in community outreach, season tickets, sponsorship — whatever they need. I’m at the ballpark all the time, sometimes even cooking.
Reginald: Maybe we should have a cook-off between you and Roy White. Yankees might have beaten the Mets back then, but in the kitchen, who knows?
Mookie: He might not want that challenge.
Reginald: Mookie, your legacy is stitched into one of baseball’s most unforgettable echoes. On behalf of the World Baseball Network — and as veterans of the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps — we present you with this “Baseball Without Borders” challenge coin.
Mookie: Thank you so much. I have a lot of family members who served — Navy, Air Force. This means a lot.
Reginald: It’s a pleasure. And I’m looking forward to tasting your mac and cheese soon.
Mookie: It’s right there — knock yourself out.
