In a season marked by ups and downs, one unexpected storyline emerged on February 6 when the New York Mets designated right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This decision effectively removed him from their 40-man roster, a tough pill to swallow for any professional athlete.
However, Adams quickly found a new home when the Oakland Athletics acquired him through a cash deal during spring training.
An Impressive Performance
Since joining the Athletics, the 33-year-old Adams has proven his worth in the bullpen. He has posted a commendable 3.92 ERA and struck out 53 batters over 41 1/3 innings, solidifying his place in Oakland’s pitching staff.
Adams' tenure with the Athletics reached a notable moment on Tuesday night at Citi Field. The Athletics triumphed over the Mets with a convincing 9-4 victory, and Adams showcased his mettle under pressure. Facing runners on first and second with no outs in a high-stakes fifth inning, Adams managed to escape unscathed by striking out Francisco Alvarez.
Celebration Sparks Controversy
Following the pivotal strikeout, Adams celebrated by imitating the Mets' "OMG" celebration—a gesture inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias’ song "OMG." The celebration, typically performed by the Mets after hitting home runs, was not well received by the New York team.
Adams explained his spontaneous celebration to 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 said.
Emotional Pitching Pays Off
For Adams, the incident was about more than just a celebration; it represented his journey and the emotions tied to being designated for assignment. "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 admitted.
Reactions from the Mets
The Mets did not take kindly to Adams’ gesture. Edwin Díaz voiced his thoughts on the situation. "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," Díaz commented.
Team Dynamics and Streaks
The victory marked the Athletics’ third consecutive win, extending their winning streak and boosting their morale. Conversely, the Mets found themselves on a four-game losing streak, a worrying trend as they fell two games behind the third wild-card spot in the playoff race.
As the season continues to unfold, Adams' journey from being designated for assignment to becoming a key player in the Athletics' bullpen serves as a testament to perseverance and resilience in professional sports. Future games will reveal whether this spark of rivalry leads to further noteworthy moments between these two teams.