This is Part 2 of a series of articles providing a snapshot of key contributors to the New York Mets’ pursuit of a world championship in 2015. These snapshots are taken from the first-hand impressions the players left on this writer as they made Binghamton their home for some recent summers. Currently 18 players who who have been on the Mets’ playoff roster (this list includes Matt Reynolds, who has not seen any action as of yet) have also played in Binghamton. (For Part 1 of this series, go to jimmaggiore.wordpress.com, or click on the appropriate link to the right of this article.)
Steven Matz: This Long Island native grew up a Met fan and still vividly remembers Carlos Beltran taking that called strike against Adam Wainwright in the 2006 National League Championship Series, as well as the fantastic catch by Endy Chavez to take a home run away from Scott Rolen! Matz is another unassuming athlete, content to remain in the background. In Binghamton, he always had time for the fans and got a kick out of having his parents come up from Long Island to see him pitch. He gave one of the all-time great performances in Binghamton baseball history when he threw seven and one-third innings of no-hit baseball in the Eastern League championship-clinching game on September 12 2014. One small moment in late summer of 2015 showed Matz’s affinity with the Mets fans everywhere. While in Binghamton on a rehab assignment, Matz smiled in understanding when a long-time Mets fan told him “You and your teammates are making me change my line of the past half dozen years – ‘I used to say, just once before I die I want to see the Mets win another World Championship!’”
Matz, with a knowing nod and growing smile replied, “Yeah, you gotta change that line. Change it to at least five world championships!”
Steve Marz relazing in his house in Port Crane as a Binghamton Met. Note the chair shaped like a glove and the footrest in the shape of a baseball!
Jacob deGrom: This Stetson product with the flowing hair, cherubic face, and perpetual smile is still as carefree as they come. When he was in Binghamton in 2013, he was known to cross the street and grab a bite to eat at DiRienzo’s Bakery and Deli right across the street from the stadium. DeGrom joined the B-Mets a month into the season and a big reason for his late promotion to AA was because he was nursing a sore finger in spring training, as he was recovering from a broken finger. How’d he break the finger? B-Mets beat reporter Lynn Worthy smiles when he recalls deGrom’s explanation: “I was helping my friend work on his ranch down in Florida and a calf kicked me in my hand, breaking my finger!”
Jacob deGrom pitching against the Cubs in losing effort on July 2 2015. Jake Arieta outpitched him on this day!
Daniel Murphy. Murphy teamed with Mike Carp and Nick Evans to form a formidable middle of the order for the 2008 Binghamton Mets. He hit ,308 with 13 home runs in 357 at bats, and would often put on a home run display during batting practice. Though he hit the right field scoreboard on more than one occasion during batting practice sessions, no one saw his unprecented 2015 NLCS homer streak coming. He displayed a distinct hunger for the big leagues, even asking to play second base during a stretch in the summer to show his versatility, as he realized David Wright had the third base job cornered.
Murphy has grown into his current role as a leader of the New York Mets and has grown increasingly humble with each passing year, as evidenced in his daily post-game interviews during the 2015 postseason, when he continually deflets praise from himself and sends it toward his teammates. Despite being born on April 1st, 1985, there is no joke about Murphy’s current value to the Mets in their pursuit of a championship.
Daniel Murphy at bat on July 2 2015, against the Chicago Cubs at Cit Field
