Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 28, 1993                   TAG: 9306280054
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

OLD RECORD BROKEN BY YOUNG'S LOSS NO. 24

Young lost his 24th straight decision Sunday to break an 82-year-old major league record for futility as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 5-3.

This particular sunny day started out well for Young (0-10) as the Mets took a 2-0 lead in the first off Joe Magrane (7-6). Young was given a loud ovation when he was announced in the starting lineup, and again when he batted in the second inning. His teammates also seemed to be trying extra hard to finally get him a win.

"I always think this will be the day," Young said. "Now that I have the record I hope you all will leave me alone."

The day started to crumble for Young in the fourth inning, and he broke Cliff Curtis' record of 23 straight losses for Boston of the National League in 1910-1911.

"I won't think about it when I leave here," Young said. "Why keep thinking about it?"

Young has become a fan favorite this season at Shea Stadium, symbolizing the futility of the last-place Mets (21-52), who have lost 11 of 12 and 17 of 19. He has been sent lucky charms and hundreds of letters. A medium even offered to put Young in contact with Curtis, who died in 1943. Curtis' relatives have expressed sympathy for Young's plight.

"Everything is over now," Young said. "I'm in the record book."

When Curtis lost 23 consecutive decisions, there was no mention of it in newspapers. Young, however, has been made painfully aware of each little detail: He is 0-12 as a starter and 0-12 as a reliever, 0-6 in day games and 0-18 at night, 0-14 at home and 0-10 on the road. The Mets have been outscored 129-66 during the streak.

"It's not embarrassing," Young said. "Someone has to win, someone has to lose. I'm just losing."

The fourth inning symbolized the season for Young and the Mets. With runners on first and second and the Mets ahead 2-0, Todd Zeile hit a hard grounder near the bag at third base. Bobby Bonilla, starting at third base for the first time this season, stepped on the base, threw to second for a force play but Zeile beat the relay throw at first by just a step to avoid a triple play.

Mark Whiten followed with a single that sent Zeile to third, and Brian Jordan singled in a run. Rod Brewer, a part-time player, followed with a two-run double that gave St. Louis a 3-2 lead.

St. Louis, which swept the three-game series and has won nine of 11, added two runs in the sixth on RBI singles by Tom Pagnozzi and Magrane off Young. Magrane was 2-for-29 at the time.

"Coming into this game, I didn't think there were a lot of good things that could happen," Magrane said. "Young was due for a win but I just hoped he didn't beat me."

Before leaving for a pinch hitter, Young gave up five runs and eight hits in seven innings.

New York took the lead in the first on Bonilla's double-play grounder and Eddie Murray's seventh home run. Magrane then settled down before allowing Todd Hundley's RBI single in the sixth.

Magrane gave up three runs and 10 hits in seven innings as he won his fifth straight start. Lee Smith got three outs for his 28th save.

Young has gone 72 games since his last victory on April 19, 1992. He has a 4.43 ERA during the streak.

Keywords:
BASEBALL