On February 6, in a move that surprised many, the New York Mets designated right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This decision effectively removed him from the 40-man roster and left Adams searching for a new opportunity as the season rapidly approached. Fortunately for Adams, spring training provided a lifeline as he was picked up by the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal.
Since his acquisition, Adams has proven himself to be a valuable asset in Oakland's bullpen. The 33-year-old has stabilized his position within the Athletics by maintaining a 3.92 ERA and notching 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. This impressive performance showcases his resilience and skill, significantly contributing to the Athletics' recent successes.
Showdown Against the Mets
Adams's capabilities were on full display during Tuesday night's game at Citi Field, where the Athletics triumphed over the Mets with a decisive 9-4 victory. The game was particularly noteworthy for Adams, who faced his former team and managed to navigate a high-pressure situation with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning. His composure and talent shone through as he struck out Francisco Alvarez to escape the inning unscathed.
An Imitative Celebration
Following his crucial strikeout, Adams celebrated by imitating the Mets' "OMG" celebration, a gesture inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG," which was released in June. Iglesias famously performed the song at Citi Field after a win on June 28, making the celebration a recognizable fixture for the Mets.
Adams's imitation of the "OMG" celebration was a spirited gesture, but it didn't sit well with the Mets players. The celebration is traditionally performed by Mets players after hitting home runs, and some felt that Adams's actions crossed a line. Adams later explained his reasoning, saying, "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 admitted that pitching with high emotion is part of his game, 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."
Response from the Mets
The Mets players, including Edwin Díaz, didn't take Adams's celebration lightly. Díaz commented on the incident, saying, "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."
Athletics' Ascendancy
Oakland's victory over the Mets not only showcased Adams's skills but also extended the Athletics' winning streak to three games. On the flip side, the Mets continued their downward trajectory with a four-game losing streak, placing them two games behind the third wild-card spot. The emotional and competitive fire displayed in games like this one highlights the intensity of the sport and the fierce determination of players like Adams, who strive to prove their worth against the odds.