This Day In Mets Infamy With Rusty: the “Oh Jenrry” Edition

Yesterday was a day that I as a Mets fan had waited 9 long years for. It took two straight collapses, dropped pop ups, torn up t shirts, Bernie Madoff scandals, 6 straight losing records, key players traded away for up and coming prospects but we have finally reached the playoffs. But there was a player missing from yesterdays post game celebrations, a player who we all thought would be the Mets closer for the foreseeable future. That person is Jenrry Mejia.

I was a Mejia supporter. I loved his intensity. I liked the fact that he was not afraid to pitch inside. I loved his plus fastball and of course I loved his victory celebrations.

But this all changed during the first week of the season when  it was announced that Jenrry, who was on the disabled list would be suspended 50 games for using Stanozolol – an old school anabolic steroid. It sent shockwaves through the fan base as well as the team clubhouse. But set up man, Jeurys Familia stepped in and became one of the elite closers in the game thankfully.

As we know Mejia quietly served out his suspension and was back in the Mets bullpen by mid July – this time as the setup man to Familia. But on July 27 it was announced that Jenrry would be suspended for a second time for violating MLB Rules. At the time many fans and sports writers felt this would be a crushing blow for the team. But the Mets soldiered on and made the trade for Tyler Clippard even more important.

But here we are on September 27 National League East Champions . We are heading to the postseason for the first time in 9 years while Mejia deservingly sits on the sidelines. I believe that it is a sure bet that Mejia will never pitch again for the Mets – and nor should he. He betrayed not just his teammates but also the fans that rooted for him and I hope when all is said and done if the Mets end up winning it all that he neither gets a ring nor the winners share of the World Series bonus pool. You broke my heart as well as the hearts of many true Mets fans  Jenrry !

And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!

Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:

Spot starter for the ’87 Mets, Don Schulze is 53  (1962).

Back up catcher/first baseman from ’01-’04, Jason Phillips turns 39(1976).

Middle reliever from the ’12 season, Jon Rauch is 37 (1978). It’s a little known fact that Rauch is an avid gear head and has a handful of muscle cars that he has either restored or tricked out.

Middle reliever from last seasons team, John Lannan is 31 (1984). In his 5 games as a Met Lannan didn’t fare well. Yes he did earn a single win but his E.R.A was a unimpressive 15.75 !

Mo Vaughn is still partying like it’s 1986 !!!