Malcolm Emmons, USA Today
Good morning, Mets fans!
Six-time All-Star Vida Blue passed away on Sunday at the age of 73. Blue was a second-round pick by the Kansas City A’s in 1967 and debuted with the team as a 19-year-old in 1969. In 1971, Blue won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards as a 21-year-old, turning in a magnificent 1.82 ERA with 301 strikeouts in 312 innings, and throwing 24 complete games. He went on to help lead Oakland to three straight World Series rings from 1972-74, and remained an effective pitcher for the Giants and Royals later in his career. Former A’s All-Star Dave Stewart was one of many people to pay tribute to Blue on social media.
Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend. I remember watching a 19 year old phenom dominate baseball, and at the same time alter my life. There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others. My heart goes out to the Blue family🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Dave “Smoke” Stewart (@Dsmoke34) May 7, 2023
Latest Mets News
Jeff McNeil collected three hits, Daniel Vogelbach hit a solo homer, and Brett Baty hit a two-run single, but the Mets’ offense couldn’t overcome a seven-run fifth inning by the Rockies as Colorado took the series finale at Citi Field, 13-6. Joey Lucchesi tossed four innings, allowing three runs, four hits, and three walks with four strikeouts, but Jimmy Yacabonis only recorded one out before being pulled. He took the loss, getting charged with five runs. The Mets have begun their stretch of 13 straight games against sub-.500 opponents with five losses in six games, and have lost 11 of their last 14 overall.
The Mets get a day off before beginning a seven-game road trip with a three-game set against the Reds at Great American Ballpark. Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Kodai Senga are slated to start the three games.
Latest MLB News
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune reports that the Dodgers and Padres are likely to begin the 2024 season with a series in Seoul, South Korea. This would mark the first ever MLB games played in the country. The deal is expected to be finalized soon.
In an interview with The Athletic, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak refuted the notion that Willson Contreras will be moved to the outfield this season. However, Contreras is expected to see a fair amount of time as the team’s designated hitter.
Latest on MMO
James Villani recaps the Mets’ loss to the Rockies on Sunday.
Christian De Block looks at Tylor Megill‘s start on Saturday.
On This Date in Mets History
1961: The new National League franchise in New York is officially named the “Mets” at a ceremony at the Savoy Hilton. The name is chosen from a field of 10 finalists including the Continentals, Burros, Skyliners, Skyscrapers, Bees, Rebels, NYBs, Avengers, and Jets.
1983: Darryl Strawberry collects his major league hit – an RBI single off Reds reliever Ben Hayes. The Mets win the game 10-5, as a six-run seventh inning puts them over the top.
1998: Rick Reed surrenders the 400th home run of Mark McGwire‘s career, but the Mets get the last laugh of the day as they use a pair of four-run innings to down the Cardinals, 9-2. Brian McRae smacks a three-run homer, and Preston Wilson collects three hits, giving him six knocks in his first eight MLB at-bats.
2016: With a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning, Antonio Bastardo escapes a bases-loaded, no-out jam with two strikeouts and a popout. Jeurys Familia pitches a 1-2-3 ninth inning to give the Mets a series split with the Padres and first place in the NL East. Yoenis Céspedes hits his 11th homer of the season, and Matt Harvey strikes out 10 in six innings of two-run ball.
Birthdays: John Maine (42), Adrián González (41), Sean Gilmartin (33)
