Not snow, nor sleet, nor rain or hail could keep John Buck from belting his sixth home run – a grand slam.
Another game, another highlight. That’s what the season has been like for Mets catcher John Buck who belted a grand slam and scored two runs last night against the Twins.
Buck is now batting .351/.350/.865 with an incredible 1.215 OPS on the season with a National League leading six home runs and 19 RBI and tied for tops in the Majors with Baltimore’s Chris Davis.
The RBIs put him in some impressive company:
Terry Collins is at the point where when he needs a big hit, he believes Buck will come through for him every time.
“Right now, you’re almost starting to take it for granted. When you need a big hit, he’s going to get it. And he’s going to drive in runs when he gets his hit. It’s just amazing.”
Collins added that once Ike Davis get it going, the Mets will have a formidable middle of the order with Wright, Buck and Davis.
John Buck has hit a home run in four straight games (April 8 – present) extending his career-best. David Wright was the last Met to hit a home run in four consecutive games during the 2007 season. Richard Hidalgo holds the franchise record with a home run in five straight games from July 1-5, 2004.
Buck has six home runs through 10 games, the second-most in team history behind Dave Kingman’s seven home runs through 10 games in 1976.
So where is all this power coming from? Buck did not hit his sixth home run of the season last year until June 24 (52 games) and did not drive in his 19th run of the season until June 27 (55 games).
One last and amazing factoid for you. With his sixth home run last night, Buck now has more home runs than all the Mets catchers combined during the 2012 season.
Travis d’Arnaud may be in for a long wait before he makes his debut.
