On a chilly Tuesday night at Citi Field, drama unfolded in a game that saw the Oakland Athletics triumph over the New York Mets 9-4. Among the standout moments of the evening was the performance of Austin Adams, a right-handed reliever who has found a resurgence in Oakland’s bullpen after being designated for assignment by the Mets earlier this year.
A Rollercoaster Journey
On February 6, the Mets made the decision to designate Adams for assignment, consequently dropping him from their 40-man roster. The move left Adams at a crossroads in his career, but as fate would have it, he landed with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal later in the spring. The change of scenery appears to have breathed new life into his career.
Adams, now 33, has solidified his place with the Athletics. Over the course of the season, he has posted a commendable 3.92 ERA and recorded 53 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. His contributions have not gone unnoticed as he steadily became a reliable part of Oakland’s bullpen.
A Gutsy Performance
The game against his former team presented Adams with both a challenge and an opportunity for redemption. In the fifth inning, the Mets found themselves in a potentially game-changing situation with runners on first and second with no outs. Adams was called upon to extinguish the fire, and he did so with poise and precision. Striking out Francisco Alvarez to end the inning, he escaped the high-pressure situation unscathed.
After the critical strikeout, Adams mimicked the Mets' "OMG" celebration, inspired by infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG," which had become a post-home run ritual for the Mets. The song had been released in June, and Iglesias performed it at Citi Field after a win on June 28.
Emotional Highs and Lows
Adams addressed his celebration and the ensuing emotions in a post-game interview. "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 shared with the New York Post.
He continued, "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."
Mixed Reactions
The Mets did not take Adams's celebration lightly. Edwin Díaz, a key figure in the Mets' bullpen, commented on the incident: "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 tension, the Athletics emerged victorious, extending their winning streak to three games while simultaneously deepening the Mets' woes, as the New York club found itself in the throes of a four-game losing streak. This loss placed the Mets two games behind the third wild-card spot, adding further pressure as the season progresses.
The Big Picture
Adams’s journey this season exemplifies the unpredictable nature of professional sports, where careers can fluctuate dramatically in a short span. From being cast off by the Mets to becoming a crucial bullpen piece for the Athletics, Adams has demonstrated resilience and determination.
As the season unfolds, performances like Adams’s will be crucial for teams like the Athletics, pushing for the playoffs while navigating the ups and downs of a demanding schedule. Meanwhile, the Mets will need to regroup and find a way to halt their slide if they hope to keep their playoff aspirations alive.