On February 6, the New York Mets made a critical roster move by designating right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This decision removed Adams from the Mets' 40-man roster, leaving him in search of a new team as spring training commenced.
Adams soon found a fresh opportunity with the Oakland Athletics, acquired through a cash deal. His performance since joining the Athletics' bullpen has been nothing short of impressive. The 33-year-old pitcher has secured his role within the team, boasting a 3.92 ERA and recording 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings of work.
Redemption at Citi Field
Tuesday night at Citi Field saw an important matchup between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets. The Athletics, riding a winning streak, managed a decisive 9-4 victory over the struggling Mets, who extended their own losing streak to four games. Oakland's victory moved them forward, while the Mets found themselves two games behind the third wild-card spot.
A critical moment of the game unfolded during the fifth inning. With runners on first and second and no outs, Adams faced one of the toughest situations a reliever can encounter. The pressure was palpable, but Adams managed to wriggle out unscathed, capping the inning by striking out Francisco Alvarez.
Celebration and Controversy
After the pivotal strikeout, Adams celebrated by mimicking the Mets' "OMG" celebration, a gesture made popular by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The song, released in June, had become a staple at Citi Field, where Iglesias performed it following a Mets victory on June 28. Typically reserved for home run celebrations, the "OMG" gesture has special resonance for the Mets.
Adams's celebration, however, was more than an impulsive display of emotion. "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," Adams shared with the New York Post.
In his own words, Adams admitted to pitching with a lot of emotion, especially after being designated for assignment by the Mets, which he described as a painful experience. "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 added.
The Mets, however, did not take Adams's gesture lightly. Edwin Díaz conveyed the sentiment from the Mets' locker room: "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 on the Rise
Oakland's victory over the Mets marked their third consecutive win, a testament to the team's growing momentum. This winning streak provided the Athletics with valuable confidence as they moved through the season, positioning them as a formidable opponent for future games.
As for the Mets, the loss brought further scrutiny to their current position. With playoff aspirations hanging in the balance, their recent string of losses put them at a crucial juncture of the season. The challenge now lies in rebounding and regaining their rhythm to stay competitive in the wild-card race.
Adams’s journey from being designated for assignment to becoming a vital component of Oakland’s bullpen underscores the unpredictability and resilience inherent in professional sports. It's a reminder that, in baseball, redemption can come from the most unexpected places, often fueled by emotion and opportunity.