I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy for Scott Kazmir last night. I’ve always been one of those old school fans that quickly forms a bond with our players and look at them as part of my extended Mets family. I hate to see the Mets lose, but last night wasn’t as painful. I sort of felt like a proud father watching Kazmir pitch the game of his life, even if it came against the team I love.
For one moment in time, I saw the Scott Kazmir I had always imagined him to be – that dominant fire-balling lefthander with the no-hitter stuff.
I didn’t realize that since we dealt Kazmir away at the 2004 trade deadline, that he had never faced the Mets until last night. Considering his on-again/off-again season and career, Friday night’s 12-strikeout gem seemed like a message to Jim Duquette – one that arrived nine years too late – but better late than never.
In 24 starts this year, Kazmir has a 4.36 ERA and 2.77 K/BB ratio in 130 innings for the Indians this year after missing most of the last two seasons with arm woes. The numbers seem somewhat pedestrian, but not bad for his role as a middle of the rotation starter.
It’s been quite the roller-coaster ride for Kazmir ever since the Mets selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2002 draft. He was ranked among baseball’s top ten prospects every year up until the day he was traded.
Last night the one-time Met phenom had his moment in the sun or moon if you will… And I was very happy for him…
