Austin Adams Shines in Athletics Victory Over Mets
On February 6, the New York Mets made a strategic move, designating right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment. This decision dropped him from their 40-man roster. However, as spring training progressed, Adams found a new home with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal—a move that has paid substantial dividends for both parties involved.
Adams, 33, has consistently demonstrated his value in Oakland's bullpen, solidifying his place with a commendable 3.92 ERA and recording 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. His performance on Tuesday night at Citi Field was no different when the Athletics clinched a 9-4 victory over the Mets. The triumph not only extended Oakland's winning streak to three games but also added to the Mets' woes, pushing them to a four-game losing streak and placing them two games behind the third wild-card spot.
In a pivotal moment during the game, Adams faced his former team with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning. The pressure was palpable, but Adams managed to escape unscathed, striking out Francisco Alvarez to end the inning. His reaction to this crucial moment was as notable as his performance—Adams celebrated by imitating the Mets' "OMG" celebration, an homage to Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG."
"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.
The "OMG" celebration, inspired by the song released by Iglesias in June, quickly became a tradition for the Mets after hitting home runs. However, Adams’s gesture wasn’t taken lightly by the Mets. 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."
Adams’s journey with the Athletics has been fueled by emotion and a drive to prove his worth. Reflecting on his DFA experience, he noted, "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’s performance against the Mets and his subsequent celebration highlight the intense emotions and competitive spirit that drive athletes at the highest levels of baseball. While his imitation of the "OMG" celebration may have been a lighthearted gesture, it also served as a reminder of the personal and professional challenges he has faced—and overcome—since parting ways with the Mets.
As for the Mets, the loss at Citi Field was another setback in a challenging season. The team's resilience will be tested as they strive to overcome their current losing streak and regain a spot in the wild-card race. Meanwhile, Adams and the Athletics continue to ascend, thanks in part to his key contributions on the mound.