A New Beginning in Oakland
On February 6, the New York Mets made a significant decision by designating right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, effectively removing him from their 40-man roster. What seemed like a setback for the seasoned pitcher swiftly turned into an opportunity as Adams found a new home with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal as spring training progressed.
Making His Mark in the Bullpen
Since joining the Athletics, Adams has transitioned seamlessly into Oakland's bullpen. The 33-year-old has proven to be a valuable asset, recording a 3.92 ERA and notching an impressive 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. His performance has solidified his place within the team and provided the kind of stability Oakland's bullpen desperately needed.
High-Pressure Situations
Tuesday night's game at Citi Field against his former team, the New York Mets, was particularly noteworthy for Adams. The Athletics emerged victorious with a 9-4 win, extending their winning streak to three games and further deepening the Mets' woes, which now include a four-game losing streak. During the game, Adams faced a high-pressure scenario in the fifth inning, with runners on first and second and no outs. Demonstrating his composure and skill, he struck out Francisco Alvarez to end the inning unscathed.
Reflecting on the moment, 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."
The Celebration Controversy
Adams made waves not only for his effective pitching but also for his celebration after striking out Alvarez. He imitated the Mets' signature "OMG" celebration, a gesture inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The song, which Iglesias performed at Citi Field following a win on June 28, has become a staple of the Mets' home run celebrations.
While Adams intended the gesture in good spirits, it was not well received by the Mets. Edwin Díaz expressed the team's sentiments, 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."
Emotional Pitching
Adams' journey from being designated for assignment to excelling in Oakland has been fueled by his emotional pitching style. "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," Adams revealed in his conversation with the New York Post.
Impact on the Playoff Race
As Oakland continues their winning streak, the Mets find themselves slipping further in the playoff race, now two games behind the third wild-card spot. The contrasting trajectories of the two teams highlight the significance of Adams' contributions to the Athletics and the missed opportunity for the Mets.
Tuesday's game and Adams' performance underscore how quickly fortunes can change in the world of professional baseball. Designated for assignment by one team and thriving with another, Austin Adams exemplifies resilience and the unpredictability of sports.