Adams Sparks Athletics' Victory over Mets with Stellar Performance and Controversial Celebration
On February 6, the New York Mets made the decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, effectively removing him from the 40-man roster. While such moves are not uncommon in professional baseball, what followed for Adams was a series of high points that might have caught the Mets off guard.
The Road to Oakland
After being designated for assignment, Adams found a new home with the Oakland Athletics via a cash deal as spring training progressed. Since joining the Athletics, the 33-year-old pitcher has shown remarkable resilience and efficacy in his new bullpen role.
Adams has solidified his place by posting a respectable 3.92 ERA and recording 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. This performance was most evident on Tuesday night at Citi Field, where the Athletics claimed a 9-4 victory over the Mets, extending their winning streak to three games and pushing the Mets into a four-game losing streak. The Mets are now trailing by two games in the race for the third wild-card spot.
High-Pressure Performance
The turning point of the game unfolded in the fifth inning when Adams faced a potentially game-changing scenario with runners on first and second and no outs. Known for pitching on emotion, Adams delivered in the clutch. He managed to escape the inning unscathed, striking out Francisco Alvarez to end the Mets' threat.
"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," Adams shared with the New York Post. "I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully no one is offended. Just having fun."
The Controversial Celebration
Adams celebrated his high-stakes strikeout by mimicking the Mets' "OMG" celebration, a gesture inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The song, released in June, became a part of the team's post-home run ritual. Adams’s decision to imitate this celebration, especially after striking out a key Mets player, did not sit well with the opposing team.
"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," Mets closer Edwin Díaz commented on the incident. This indicates that tensions could flare up should the two teams face each other again soon.
Adams, however, saw the celebration as harmless fun and a way to express his relief and excitement. "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," Adams explained. "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's performance and subsequent celebration captured what has become a spirited rivalry dynamic, interspersed with moments of personal vindication and high-intensity gamesmanship.
As the baseball season progresses, the Athletics and particularly Adams will look to maintain their momentum, unconcerned with the ripples caused among former teams and rivals. Meanwhile, the Mets will have to regroup and perhaps also reckon with the raw, emotional displays that punctuate the season’s thrilling narrative arcs.