the omg mets

An improbable run to the playoffs, filled with all the excitement (and heartache) one could ever ask for.

Written by Michael Quinn

Published on October 13, 2024

It’s April 4th, and the Citi Field stands are nearly empty for the night cap of a double-header against the Detroit Tigers. The fans who still occupy the field-level seats are unamused by the performance of their beloved Mets, and their 0-5 record to begin the 2024 season. 

Fast forward to October 9th, and the same field-level sections are packed with fans, who have stayed an hour after the final strike thrown by closer Edwin Diaz, to watch their team celebrate its fifth ever NLDS victory. They serenaded their metropolitans to the tune of “My Girl”, by the Temptations, also the walk-up song for unanimous team MVP, Francisco Lindor. The switch- hitting shortstop, who had a particularly rough start to the year, has now risen to the highest of occasions, and cemented himself as an all-time Mets hero. 

Down 1-0 in the 6th inning to the Philadelphia Phillies, Lindor stepped into the left-handed batters box for the fourth time of the night. Facing Philly’s best reliever Carlos Estevez, he found himself in a hitter’s count with the bases loaded and one out. Estevez, who had already coughed up an RBI double to Lindor in the previous game, delivered a four seam fastball at 99 mph, which Francisco promptly deposited into the visitors’ bullpen. 

This marked the third game-tying or go-ahead home run that Lindor has hit within the last few weeks. After one of the most intense back and forth games of the year, Lindor hit a go-ahead 2-run shot to give the Mets an 8-7 victory over the Braves, which guaranteed them a spot in the postseason. This was perhaps the highlight of his career, until last night when, as Mets Radio broadcaster Howie Rose boasted that, “…HE MAY HAVE OUTDONE HIMSELF!!!” 

Lindor kept himself poised as he rounded the bases, in contrast to the 40,000 screaming fans. When asked about this in a postgame interview, he explained how he is just doing what he’s there to do. The four-time all-star has emphasized the team’s “pass the baton,” approach on offense. This game plan has brought the Mets from 11 games under .500 on June 2nd, to clinching the first spot in the Championship Series. They were aided by mid-season additions to the roster, brought on by the newly hired President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns.

Stearns and his team of executives hand-crafted a Mets roster in the off-season to have a shot at the postseason. He hired new manager Carlos Mendoza, who has quickly established a great relationship amongst the players as well as the fans. The Mets also took advantage of their deep farm system, calling up Mark Vientos in May, who in the past 5 months has blossomed into a rising star third baseman with outstanding power. They also called up Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr.. Acuña faced the difficult task of filling the shoes of an injured Lindor. Despite this, he hit the ground sprinting, smashing three home runs and driving in six runs while posting a .966 OPS in his first 14 games (not to mention playing an outstanding shortstop and second base.) 

The Mets were also boosted by the addition of veteran and former all-star infielder, Jose Iglesias. Iglesias was signed to a minor league deal in the offseason and came up from the minor leagues, which is uncommon for a 34 year old. He not only made an extreme impact on the field, having the highest batting average of his career (min. 200 PA,) as well as finishing the year with a 22 game hitting-streak, but perhaps his most valuable contribution to the team this year came off the diamond. Iglesias, aka Candelita, released his single “O.M.G.”, which almost immediately became the Mets rally cry, and also the song played over the loudspeakers at Citi Field after every Mets home run. He just released the remix, featuring music icon Pitbull, as well as Silvestre Dangond. 

Now the Mets–led by Lindor and the likes of Mark Vientos, Iglesias, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Sean Manaea, Edwin Diaz, and countless others (and no I did not forget about the new fan-favorite purple fuzzy mascot, Grimace,)–are awaiting the result of fifth game between the Dodgers and the Padres. They’ll battle the winner for a shot at the trophy which has been out of their possession for the last 38 years. Game 1 of the NLCS will be played in either San Diego or Los Angeles on Sunday night.

 

Featured image from pexels.com