Austin Adams Shines in Oakland's Bullpen, Faces Former Team with Flare
On February 6, the New York Mets made the decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, removing him from their 40-man roster. Fast forward to the middle of spring training, and Adams had found his way to the Oakland Athletics, courtesy of a cash deal.
Now, Adams has firmly entrenched himself in Oakland's bullpen, showcasing his skills and resilience. At 33 years old, Adams has posted a respectable 3.92 ERA while racking up 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings—a testament to his continuing viability as a reliable reliever.
The High-Pressure Showdown
Tuesday night at Citi Field marked a particularly poignant moment for Adams, as the Athletics faced off against his former team, the New York Mets. The Athletics ultimately triumphed with a 9-4 victory, extending their winning streak to three games and compounding the Mets' misery, who fell to a four-game losing streak and two games behind the third wild-card spot.
The high point of the game for Adams came during the fifth inning, a tense moment with runners on first and second and no outs. He rose to the occasion, masterfully navigating out of the jam without relinquishing a run. The key play came when he struck out Francisco Alvarez to close the inning, punctuating the moment with a celebration that mimicked the Mets' "OMG" celebration, inspired by infielder Jose Iglesias's song "OMG."
Adams's Emotional Expression
Adams explained the emotion behind his gesture 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," he said.
Indeed, Adams looked to be pitching on pure emotion. "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 shared.
Mixed Reactions
While Adams was enjoying his emotional high, the Mets did not appreciate the celebratory mimicry. Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz voiced his disapproval: "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."
The incident inevitably added a layer of intrigue to the series, underscoring the intense, competitive nature that defines professional sports. As Adams continues to carve out his role with the Athletics, his performance and antics will surely be watched closely by fans and foes alike.
With the season in full swing, Adams's story is a reminder of the unpredictable dynamics that make baseball a beloved sport. From being designated for assignment to becoming a critical part of another team's bullpen, Austin Adams’s journey adds yet another chapter to his career and leaves fans eagerly anticipating what's next.