Austin Adams Shines Against Former Team, Ignites Controversy
On February 6, the New York Mets made a significant roster change, designating right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This decision removed Adams from their 40-man roster, signaling the end of his tenure with the team. However, as spring training advanced, Adams found a new opportunity with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal.
The move proved beneficial for both Adams and the Athletics. The 33-year-old right-hander has since solidified his place in Oakland's bullpen. Across his appearances, Adams has posted a commendable 3.92 ERA and recorded 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings, showcasing his value and resilience.
The narrative took an intriguing turn on a recent Tuesday night at Citi Field, where the Athletics faced off against the Mets. Oakland emerged victorious with a 9-4 win, extending their winning streak to three games and further deepening the Mets' woes as they slid to a four-game losing streak.
In a critical moment during the fifth inning, Adams found himself in a high-pressure situation with runners on first and second and no outs. Demonstrating poise and precision, he managed to escape the inning unscathed, striking out Francisco Alvarez to end the threat. Adams then added a layer of drama by imitating the Mets' "OMG" celebration.
This celebration, inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG," has become a recognizable gesture among Mets players, typically performed after hitting home runs. Iglesias released the song in June and famously performed it at Citi Field following a win on June 28. Adams's choice to mimic this celebration after striking out Alvarez did not sit well with the Mets.
Post-game, Adams candidly explained his actions. "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.
He further elaborated on his emotional approach to pitching, reflecting on the impact of being designated for assignment. "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 added.
The emotional intensity of the game was not lost on Mets closer Edwin Díaz, who openly expressed his displeasure with Adams's celebration. "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," Díaz commented on the incident.
While Adams has found a new home and a fresh start with the Athletics, his emotional return to Citi Field and the subsequent controversy highlight the complex dynamics of professional sports. The Athletics continue to build on their winning momentum, while the Mets face the challenge of breaking their losing streak and reclaiming their position in the wild-card race. As the season unfolds, the echoes of this encounter may well resonate in the games to come.