The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs will meet each other in a special two game exhibition series beginning tonight in Las Vegas. Travis d’Arnaud, a player with strong ties to the Vegas area with his time spent on the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, the 51s, is excited to be back and see some familiar faces.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to see where I started with this organization,” d’Arnaud said. “(Las Vegas) was a fun city, a good front office, everyone up and down that works there was awesome. I specifically remember Mary (dugout security guard for the 51s) very well. She always made sure I had a smile on my face. I’m looking forward to getting back there.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)
D’Arnaud had played 86 games for the 51s during his time in Vegas. Now, an established major league catcher, he is primed for a big season as he hopes to stay healthy and provide the offense that we have seen great glimpses of during his time in Flushing. He is not only excited to be in Vegas but also to face the team they swept in the 2015 National League Championship Series as they ready for the upcoming season.
“That’s going to be a great tuneup,” d’Arnaud said. “They’re an all-star caliber team, a winning team, a great organization up and down, and they all believe in winning. It’s going to be a great way to end spring training with a team like that.”
Travis though is not the only Met who has spent time in “Sin City.” Wilmer Flores, Lucas Duda, Jeurys Familia, Juan Lagares, Steven Matz, Kevin Plawecki, Hansel Robles and Noah Syndergaard have all played with the Mets Triple-A affiliate.
However, Flores didn’t seem to have as many fond memories of Vegas as d’Arnaud did.
“One thing I remember about Las Vegas was that it was really hot,” Flores said. “At one point during the season we couldn’t practice, just play in games because it was too hot.”
The Mets will end spring training on this two game set in Las Vegas, and then travel to Kansas City to open the season Sunday night on ESPN at 8:37 PM. Matt Harvey will face off against Edinson Volquez in a World Series rematch.
