On February 6, the New York Mets made the decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, a move that removed him from their 40-man roster. However, this was far from the end of Adams’s journey in Major League Baseball. As spring training rolled on, Adams found a new opportunity with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal.
The 33-year-old pitcher has since made the most of his fresh start in Oakland’s bullpen. Over the course of the season, he has solidified his role, recording a 3.92 ERA and an impressive 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings – affirming the Athletics’ faith in his abilities.
High-Pressure Heroics at Citi Field
In a memorable clash against his former team on Tuesday night at Citi Field, Adams demonstrated why he remains a valuable asset. The Athletics defeated the Mets 9-4, extending their winning streak to three games. The Mets, conversely, were left grappling with a four-game losing streak and finding themselves two games behind the third wild-card spot.
Adams played a crucial part in this game, particularly during a tension-filled moment in the fifth inning. With runners on first and second and no outs, he faced the Mets' Francisco Alvarez. Adams stood tall under pressure, effectively shutting down the Mets' potential rally by striking out Alvarez to end the inning unscathed.
Adding Insult to Injury
The drama didn’t stop there. Following his clutch strikeout, Adams engaged in a celebratory mimicry of the Mets' well-known "OMG" celebration, inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG". The song, which was released in June, had been adopted by the Mets for their home run celebrations, complete with Iglesias performing it at Citi Field on June 28 after a win.
Commenting on his decision to mirror the celebration, 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."
Emotions Running High
Adams was candid about the emotions that fueled his gesture. "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 disclosed to the New York Post.
However, not everyone saw it as a harmless display of enthusiasm. Mets closer Edwin Díaz expressed his discontent, 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."
Perspectives Moving Forward
While the episode stirred emotions and may set the stage for future on-field interactions, it highlighted the inherent competitive spirit that courses through Major League Baseball. Adams’s journey from being designated for assignment to revitalizing himself in Oakland’s bullpen encapsulates the resilience required in the sport. His performance against the Mets not only showcased his talent but also highlighted the emotional highs and lows that come with playing at the elite level.