On February 6, the New York Mets made the decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This move effectively dropped him from their 40-man roster. However, Adams quickly found a new opportunity with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal as spring training moved forward. Since joining Oakland's bullpen, Adams has demonstrated his value and resilience.
Adams Finds Success in Oakland
Austin Adams, now 33, has proven himself to be a reliable force for the Athletics. Over 41 1/3 innings, he has posted a respectable 3.92 ERA and recorded 53 strikeouts. Such numbers have solidified his place within Oakland's pitching staff and showcased his ability to contribute significantly to the team's success.
High-Pressure Performance
In a recent game on Tuesday night at Citi Field, Adams played a crucial role in Oakland's 9-4 victory over the Mets. When faced with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning, Adams managed to escape the high-pressure situation unscathed. He struck out Francisco Alvarez to end the inning, a pivotal moment in the game.
Reflecting on the situation, Adams expressed his surprise at successfully navigating the challenge. "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.
Celebration Controversy
After striking out Alvarez, Adams imitated the Mets' "OMG" celebration, a gesture the Mets typically perform after hitting home runs. The celebration is inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG," which was released in June. Iglesias even performed the song at Citi Field after a win on June 28.
The Mets did not take kindly to Adams's mimicry. Edwin Díaz commented on the incident, saying, "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."
Mixed Emotions
For Adams, the celebration was a means of expressing the intense emotions he felt after 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 admitted.
The Athletics' victory over the Mets extended their winning streak to three games, while New York's loss added to their four-game losing streak. The Mets now find themselves two games behind the third wild-card spot, a concerning position as the season progresses.
As Austin Adams continues to establish himself with the Athletics, his journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball. From being discarded by one team to becoming a key player for another, Adams's story highlights the resilience and determination required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.