The longest regular season among the major sports naturally has the longest preseason. With all that time to prepare for the games that count, there has been a good share of moments: some funny, some unusual, and some with grudges to settle. Here are a few:
A Scare for Mookie – March 5, 1986
All the anticipation that surrounded the 1986 season was of little importance to Mookie Wilson. He was coming off a shoulder injury hoping to be fully healthy. But on a rundown drill in practice, Mookie was the runner and was struck in the eye and shattering the glasses he was wearing. Mookie took 21 stitches above the eye and four more on the side of his nose and was out until early May. His old job, though, wasn’t waiting for him when he returned, as Lenny Dykstra supplanted him as the starting center fielder. But as we all know, ’86 ended much better than it began.
Nipper Plunks Strawberry – March 14, 1987
Darryl Strawberry‘s towering home run to right-center field which iced the Game 7 World Series victory over Boston came at the expense of Al Nipper. The homer was tough enough, but Darryl savored the moment by sauntering around the bases and taking in the crowd cheering like there was nobody waiting for him. If Nipper had any thoughts on payback, the next chance (without the benefit of interleague play) was when he faced New York in St. Petersburg. Nipper started for the Sox and drilled Darryl in the second inning. The two approached each other and benches cleared, but that was about it. Nipper denied any retaliatory intent. “The ball just got away,” he claimed.
Picture Day Fight – March 2, 1989
As clubhouse leader, the words spoken and actions taken by Keith Hernandez were held in higher regard than those of any other Met. So when his tepid support for Darryl Strawberry’s contract dispute became known around Port St. Lucie, Straw stirred. The consternation went center stage on team picture day. No. 18 (Strawberry) sat next to No. 17 (Hernandez). After trading a few choice barbs, Darryl tried to lay a physical shot at Keith. After a swing-and-a-miss, both were restrained amid close quarters. There was more yelling but no more punches. The combatants ironed out their differences in a closed-door session mediated by the team psychiatrist.
Now Batting…Garth Brooks – March 2000
At least he didn’t quit his day job. The country singer traded his cowboy hat and guitar for a cap and mitt for multiple teams, beginning with the Padres in 1998 and later with the Royals in 2004, ending up with one hit in 39 at-bats. His stint with the Mets was initiated by Robin Ventura, who had an Oklahoma State connection with Brooks. It’s quite possible that while Garth couldn’t hit his weight, or the weight of an ant (0-f0r-17), he may have fostered a bond with the players that guided them in their pennant season. After a few games with the team, Brooks invited them to a party at his house which improved team chemistry. It’s good to have a friend in low places.
Piazza Goes After Mota – March 12, 2003
It wasn’t Piazza-Clemens. It was weirder. It was weird because it was a feud limited to spring training. It began the year before in Vero Beach, when Los Angeles reliever Guillermo Mota plunked Mike Piazza in the hip. Later that game, Piazza confronted the Dodgers hurler near the visiting dugout and grabbed him by the front of his jersey before being separated. Now we come to March ’03 in Port. St. Lucie. Mota begins with a pitch aimed at Piazza’s hip but sailed wide. Mike seethed as he knew what was coming. The next pitch hit the shoulder. Piazza instantly dropped his bat and sprinted toward the mound. Mota backpedaled, tossed his glove, and then fled. His cowardly hit-and-run wasn’t limited to the baseball field.
Captain Wright – March 21, 2013
From his first day in the big leagues, David Wright embodied the qualities of a captain. Eight full seasons into his career, and having signed a lengthy (and lucrative) contract earlier that off-season, the Mets made it official. In many ways, he’s kept it ever since. Wright became the fourth in franchise history to have the honor, joining Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and John Franco. It was the first time anyone held the title since Franco left the team in 2004. A leader by example, he exemplified professional success and personal character which earned respect from those in the clubhouse and throughout the league.
No Lunch For You, Says David – March 3, 2015
Part of Wright’s captain responsibilities included meal monitoring. The story goes that during an intrasquad game, David confronted 22-year-old prospect Noah Syndergaard eating lunch in the clubhouse rather than being in the dugout. Wright, making sure the team’s young players handle themselves professionally (especially one that had yet to make his debut), be present even if he wasn’t participating. Veteran pitcher Bobby Parnell added to Noah’s humbling moment by taking the plate of food and throwing it in the trash.
Guillorme Catches More than Baseballs – March 2, 2017
Luis Guillorme has yet to win a Gold Glove Award. That’s because he has a golden hand. It was here when everyone realized how great a fielder the Mets had. Guillorme was the organization’s No. 17 prospect when he performed dugout sorcery in the second inning against the Marlins. Adeiny Hechavarria took a hard cut and lost control of his bat. The lumber went towards the Mets players sitting on the bench, but Guillorme (as usual) was positioned perfectly. He casually plucked the bat out of the air to save his teammates.
Cabrera Takes His Time – March 23, 2017
Turns out Ángel Hernández is a bad at his job at all times of the year. In an incident that could only happen with the game’s undisputed worst umpire, Asdrúbal Cabrera asked for time during an at-bat. Hernández did not award time. The pitch came in and strike was called. Cabrera would end up singling, but still had some thoughts to express to Ángel, yelling “you’re better than that.” Doubtful. Hernández ejected Cabrera and the veteran infielder delayed the game for about a minute walking through the infield and the outfield to get to the Mets clubhouse located beyond the right-field fence.
Guillorme Does More than Catch – March 15, 2021
Is it possible a one-handed bat grab is Luis Guillorme’s second greatest spring training feat? The longest official plate appearance in major-league history by pitches seen is the Giants’ Brandon Belt at 21 in 2018. Pitch counts don’t include spring training stats, so Luis’ feat is a record-breaker in memory only. Cardinals’ right-hander Jordan Hicks threw hard, but not hard enough. Ten of his tosses to Luis were at least 99 miles per hour. But after 22 tries and more than 15 minutes, Guillorme drew a very, very well-earned walk.
