Major League Baseball has had its fair share of memories over the last decade. David Freese in the 2011 World Series. Johan Santana tossing the first no-hitter in New York Mets history in 2012. Mariano Rivera, the greatest relief pitcher of all time, calling it quits in 2013, ultimately leading to him being the first player unanimously inducted into Cooperstown. Derek Jeter ending his final game at Yankee Stadium in walk-off fashion in 2014. And let’s not forget Dee Gordon’s lead off home run in the first game after the tragic death of teammate Jose Fernandez in 2016. These are just a few memorable moments that jump out for me over the last 10 years. However, there is one memory to me that stands out above the rest.
July 29th 2015: word has hit Citi Field that Mets SS Wilmer Flores has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Carlos Gomez. Thanks to social media and reporters looking to be the first to break a story, Mets fans know mid-game what has happened. Fans closest to the dugout begin to extend their gratitude and wish the best of luck towards Wilmer as he stands on deck, waiting for his at bat. He walks to the plate; fans give him a standing ovation knowing this will be his last at bat as a New York Met. The next half inning, Wilmer returns to take his position at SS. Tears begin to fill the face of the young 23-year old. His world, as he believes, has been rocked. The only organization he knows, the one he’s been a part of since he was 16 years old, has traded him away. But the thing is-why is he still in the game? When a player is traded mid-game, he’ll often be removed from the game to avoid potential injury that would void the deal. Wilmer is still on the field, tears running down his face as he plays what many think is his last game as a Met. The next half inning, manager Terry Collins removes Wilmer from the game. After the game, both Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson address the media. Collins was asked why Wilmer remained in the game even after the reported deal had taken place. Collins responded by saying that he did not receive any word from the front office saying a deal was made and until he does, Wilmer was to remain in his lineup. Alderson states that there was no deal in place and that social media “got ahead of the facts” (it was later reported that the deal fell through due to concerns with Gomez’s physical). When Collins was asked what he said to Wilmer with regards to his crying, he said “You guys think these guys are stone-cold robots. They’re not. They’re human beings who have emotions.” Sometimes, we as fans tend to forget that.
Two days later, I’m celebrating my 23rd birthday. With my birthday falling on the trade deadline on July 31, every year I joke saying the only gift I want from the Mets is for them to make a big trade that will help us win a title. That year, they came through with Cespedes. I was pumped, excited to see what Cespedes will bring to the table. He was just the kind of bat the Mets needed to help make a run. I was at the bar watching the game. I considered it to be, at that time, the most important series of the year. The Mets were three games behind Washington for the division lead. The goal was to take at least two out of three in this series; taking this game one would have been a statement. Tied 1-1 in extras, I’m pleading for a nice walk-off for my birthday. Bottom of the 12th, Wilmer steps up and delivers. Just days before, he believed he was being traded and now he gets the biggest hit of the Mets season. It just had to be him to do it; like a Hollywood ending. He shows how much it means to him being a part of the Mets as he runs home to celebrate with his teammates. It was a game I wouldn’t forget. The Mets would sweep that series and it would be the catalyst that led them to their first division title since 2006 and their first National League pennant since 2000. Although they weren’t able to take down the Royals in the World Series that year, it will be a season I will always remember. And it all started with a trade that never occurred.
