On February 6, the New York Mets made a significant roster change by designating right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This decision effectively removed Adams from the team's 40-man roster and set the stage for his eventual move.
As the business of baseball often goes, Adams found a new opportunity as spring training advanced. The Oakland Athletics acquired him through a cash deal, giving the 33-year-old pitcher a chance to prove his worth in their bullpen. Since joining the Athletics, Adams has done just that, posting a respectable 3.92 ERA and accumulating 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings.
Impact in Oakland
Adams has solidified his place with the Athletics, and his performance reached a notable high on a Tuesday night at Citi Field. In a game against his former team, the Oakland Athletics triumphed over the New York Mets with a convincing 9-4 victory. Adams played a crucial role, skillfully navigating a high-pressure scenario with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning. His poise on the mound paid off, as he managed to escape the jam without allowing any runs, ending the inning by striking out Francisco Alvarez.
The "OMG" Celebration
In a memorable moment, Adams mimicked the Mets' "OMG" celebration, which is inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The song, which was released in June, has become a staple celebration at Citi Field following Mets home runs. After striking out Alvarez, Adams’s gesture didn't go unnoticed and sparked reactions from both teams.
Reactions and Emotions
Adams reflected on the incident, sharing 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."
He went on to explain the emotions driving his performance and celebration, stating, "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."
Feedback from the Mets
The Mets' reaction to Adams’s celebration was less than enthusiastic. Edwin Díaz commented on the gesture, expressing his discontent. "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 said, indicating that the Mets might have plans for retribution in their upcoming matchups.
Streaks and Standings
Oakland's victory not only underscored their competitive prowess but also extended their winning streak to three games. On the other hand, the Mets found themselves in a rough patch, with this loss marking their fourth consecutive defeat. The Mets now sit two games behind the third wild-card spot, a position they hoped to improve upon.
In a sport where emotions run high and every game can shift a team's trajectory, Tuesday night's clash at Citi Field highlighted both the resilience of Austin Adams and the intensity of baseball rivalries. As the season progresses, both Adams and the Mets will undoubtedly have more moments of high stakes and high drama, with every play contributing to the unfolding narrative of their respective seasons.