The New York Mets' decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment earlier this year has proven to have significant repercussions. On February 6, Adams was dropped from the Mets' 40-man roster. As the spring training unfolded, Adams found a new opportunity with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal. This move has turned out to be a fortuitous one for the Athletics, as Adams has since solidified his role in their bullpen.
Adams, 33, has been a critical asset for Oakland, showcasing an impressive 3.92 ERA and recording 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. His presence was felt profoundly in a recent game against his former team. On Tuesday night at Citi Field, the Athletics faced the Mets and came away with a commanding 9-4 victory, extending their winning streak to three games and handing the Mets their fourth consecutive loss.
High-Pressure Pitching
During the game, Adams was called upon to navigate a precarious situation in the fifth inning. With runners on first and second and no outs, Adams managed to get out of the jam unscathed, striking out Francisco Alvarez to end the inning. This critical moment was not just pivotal for the game but also highlighted Adams's growth and resilience as a pitcher.
Reactions and Celebrations
What stood out even more was Adams' unorthodox celebration after his strikeout of Alvarez. Imitating the Mets' "OMG" celebration—a gesture inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG" which was released in June—Adams brought an extra layer of emotion and drama to the game. Describing the moment, Adams shared with the New York Post, "Honestly, I looked up and was so surprised I got out of it. I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' And then it dawned on me, I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' So then I did it. I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully no one is offended. Just having fun."
Adams' celebration, a gesture usually performed by Mets players after hitting home runs, did not sit well with everyone. Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz commented on the incident, saying, "He crossed a line because that's something we do when we hit a homer or something. He (can) do it always, that's fine. But he can't get mad if we do something to him the next couple of days."
An Emotional Performance
Adams acknowledged the emotional aspect of his performance, noting that being DFAed had added an extra layer of motivation. "I pitch on emotion. I maybe need to do a better job of not doing that. But at the end of the day, big time situation in a game. Got some big outs, got the team a win. You know, when you get DFAed you're told you're not good enough to play for a team anymore. You know it sucks, so yeah had a little extra juice today," he candidly shared with the New York Post. His remarks underline the psychological and emotional challenges that athletes often face, and how these challenges can sometimes fuel exceptional performances.
The Athletics' triumph over the Mets not only demonstrated Adams's capability but also shone a light on the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. While Oakland's victory extended their winning streak to three games, the Mets found themselves on a downward trajectory, two games behind the third wild-card spot amidst a four-game losing streak. The added drama of Adams' emotional celebration only heightened the tension and excitement on the field, making this matchup a memorable one.