We’re on the brink of the 2018 All-Star game, which means a much needed break from baseball for most Mets fans. Although this season is sure to go down as one to forget, we have to tip our caps to our lone representative in the midsummer classic, Jacob deGrom. Despite the well-documented lack of run support, Jake is pitching to one of the best seasons of his career, leading the MLB with a paramount 1.68 ERA. It will be the second All Star game appearance of his career.
It’s always great to see one of our guys compete against the best in the baseball. And while Jake has had his chance to showcase his stuff once before, there have been many other great moments from Mets All-Stars over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the more memorable ones:
The Matt Harvey era may be over, but this is one moment that will live in Citi Field lore. Nothing like hosting the All-Star game and seeing your young ace impress home and visiting fans alike against the AL’s cream of the crop.
The Captain was selected for seven All-Star games over his career, but no moment was better than his debut at-bat in the 2006 game. It’s too bad Joe Buck was asleep for the call.
Gooden was the youngest player to appear on an All-Star roster, and still holds that record today. He was brilliant in his first appearance, striking out the side. Two years later, he’d become the youngest pitcher to start an All-Star game, another record that still stands today.
Seeing Conforto make the All-Star roster in just his second full season of work was extremely rewarding for fans. Conforto’s early career has been quite the roller coaster ride, but we fully expect to see him named to more ASG rosters in the future.
What a moment. In what was to be a special year, deGrom fanned the side while showing off some incredible stuff in 2015’s midsummer classic. He’ll have his chance to dazzle again in this year’s game. Maybe he can do it on nine pitches this time.
Nick Giacone
Author
T7L contributing blogger - Follow Nick on Twitter