Mets' Former Reliever Austin Adams Shines for Athletics, Sparks Controversy
On February 6, the New York Mets made the decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, removing him from their 40-man roster. This pivotal moment in Adams' career set the stage for a remarkable comeback later in the season.
As spring training progressed, Adams found a new opportunity with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal. Since then, he has solidified his place in Oakland's bullpen. The 33-year-old reliever has posted a respectable 3.92 ERA while recording 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings, demonstrating his value to the Athletics.
Adams' most notable performance came on a Tuesday night at Citi Field, where the athletics defeated the Mets 9-4. During this game, Adams faced his former team in a high-pressure situation with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning. Remarkably, he managed to escape the inning unscathed, culminating in a crucial strikeout of Francisco Alvarez to end the inning.
Controversial Celebration
Adams' celebration after striking out Alvarez sparked controversy. He imitated the Mets' "OMG" celebration, inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The song, which was released in June, has become a part of the Mets' post-home run celebrations. Iglesias even performed it at Citi Field after a win on June 28.
Reflecting on his actions, 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 emphasized the emotional aspect of his performance, saying, "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."
Mets' Reaction
The Mets did not take kindly to Adams' celebration. Edwin Díaz commented on the incident, stating, "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."
Despite the controversy, Adams' performance contributed to Oakland's victory, extending their winning streak to three games. In contrast, the Mets found themselves on a four-game losing streak, placing them two games behind the third wild-card spot.
Looking Forward
As the season progresses, Adams' journey from being designated for assignment by the Mets to becoming a key reliever for the Athletics serves as a testament to his resilience and determination. His ability to thrive in high-pressure situations and his emotional approach to the game will likely continue to make him an asset for Oakland. Meanwhile, the Mets will need to address their own struggles in the race for a playoff spot while navigating the tensions stirred by the recent on-field drama.