If you’re a believer in team chemistry, then the 2020 Mets are destined to go far. The current Mets roster boasts a variety of larger-than-life personalities, from the unpredictable antics of the “Flying Squirrel” to the theatrics of hurler Marcus Stroman.
Each of these players adds a unique element to the ballclub, and their camaraderie should help them stay afloat in a highly competitive NL East division.
As we await the arrival of Opening Day, let’s examine the characters that will define this season of Mets baseball.
Pete Alonso: “The Goofy Kid Who Diesels Baseball”
Mets fans have run out of superlatives to describe Pete Alonso. After all, the Polar Bear is more than just the reigning home run king. He’s also an inspirational figure, proof positive that no goal is too lofty to attain.
In a story that’s now become legend, Alonso received a “C” on a college paper in which he described his dream of becoming a major league ballplayer. Apparently, Alonso’s professor believed that this aspiration was a mere fantasy, and that he should set his sights on something more realistic.
Fortunately for the baseball world, Alonso did not give up on his dream. He achieved everything he set out to accomplish in 2019, from making the Opening Day roster to winning the Home Run Derby and breaking the rookie home run record. He became one of the game’s most recognizable stars, and yet managed to stay true to himself in spite of the media attention.
The way Alonso sees it, he’s just a “goofy kid who diesels baseball.” That’s precisely how he comes across, mainly because he speaks without artifice or pretension. He understands how fortunate he is to have public visibility, and he’s used his platform to create a new team rallying cry (“LFGM”) and donate money to 9/11 charities.
Alonso’s public persona is completely unaffected. On September 28th, 2019, the night he broke Aaron Judge’s rookie home run record, Alonso was visibly shaken when he took the field. He was so overwhelmed by the magnitude of his achievement that he couldn’t help but shed a tear.
That type of emotional honesty is Alonso’s most relatable attribute, and one of the reasons he has been universally embraced.
No matter how many accolades he earns, Alonso remains a humble, good-hearted kid who wants everyone to love baseball as much as he does. In fact, he’s so eager to share his passion that he’s volunteered to wear a microphone during select games for the 2020 season.
The affable Alonso is the ideal candidate to be mic’d up, even if he’s a risk to drop the occasional f-bomb on camera.
J.D. Davis: The Meme King
Davis exceeded all expectations in his debut season in Queens, and by the end of the year it was impossible to keep his red-hot bat out of the lineup. He was at his best in front of the Flushing Faithful, recording the highest single-season home OPS in Mets franchise history (1.078).
But what really endeared him to the fans were his wacky facial expressions and priceless reactions to his teammates.
Davis’s expressive face makes him the perfect subject for gifs, as do his spontaneous demonstrations of unbridled joy. Whenever the Mets start a rally or come through in a clutch situation, it’s a good bet that the SNY cameras will pan to the dugout to catch Davis’s response.
Often, he will be banging on the dugout railing, or simply screaming at the top of his lungs in an unrestrained fashion.
Davis had already become a fan favorite by the midpoint of the 2019 season, and his legend was fully cemented when he came through with a walk-off single on August 21st. After grinding through a lengthy at-bat against Indians closer Brad Hand, Davis ripped a liner down the left-field line to score Michael Conforto with the winning run.
Once his jersey had been ripped off as part of the Mets’ customary walk-off celebration, Davis was interviewed by SNY’s Steve Gelbs. Still high from the exhilaration of the moment, Davis released what Walt Whitman might refer to as a barbaric yawp.
“Hey Mets fans, we did it again! Wooooooooo!!!!!!”
Later on in the interview, Davis attributed his club’s tenacity to their “New York swagger” and “New York attitude.” Those phrases captured the ethos of that Mets club, and the speech confirmed Davis’s role as one of its spiritual leaders.
Jeff McNeil: The Wild Card
We all know just how versatile McNeil is on the baseball field, and that his bat control may be the best of anyone in the game. But there is far more to McNeil than just innate athletic talent.
As the kids say, McNeil has no chill. He’s a hitting savant, but many of his on-field actions display a high degree of intensity. It’s not uncommon for him to angrily slam his helmet to the ground when he fails to record a hit. He’s also been known to make the occasional out trying to stretch a single into extra bases.
What makes McNeil a true delight are his moments of inventiveness and creativity. There are some predictable aspects of McNeil’s game, such as his propensity for swinging at the first pitch. But McNeil has a gift for improvisation.
In April of 2019, he surprised the Reds defense by executing a two-out drag bunt to give the Mets the lead. And in August of that season, he caught a foul ball at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field, hurtled himself three rows in the outfield stands, and thrust himself off the protective netting like a trapeze artist.
While he provides entertainment value through his on-field exploits, McNeil has also proven to be an amiable presence away from the diamond. He has a soft spot for animals, as demonstrated by his adoption of a puppy introduced to him by the North Shore Animal League. Days after meeting the adorable canine, McNeil went on a home run tear and exclaimed “I’m getting a puppy!” when he went deep against the Pirates.
All in all, McNeil’s blend of gritty playing style and unadulterated enthusiasm is truly unique.
Marcus Stroman: The Greatest Showman
The five-foot-seven Stroman is one of the shortest players in the majors, yet he plays with an attitude far larger than his physical stature. Stroman’s motto is “Height Doesn’t Measure Heart” and he’s applied the “HDMH” logo to his lifestyle brand and charity.
Indeed, Stroman pitches with plenty of heart, as well as a swagger that is practically unmatched. When Stroman walks from the bullpen to the Citi Field mound, his entrance is accompanied by music designed to get the adrenaline pumping–usually a song by 50 Cent. With all eyes fixed on him, the righty puts on a show.
Stroman pitches with a “me against the world” mentality, which is just one of the reasons he’s a joy to watch. He also employs a variety of techniques to keep hitters off balance, such as dangling his front leg in the air for a few seconds longer than expected. These practices have made Stroman a favorite of Twitter influencer Rob Friedman, aka the “Pitching Ninja.”
Much like revered Cuban hurler Luis Tiant, Stroman’s unconventional motion is both strategically savvy and aesthetically pleasing. He’s one of the few pitchers who will vary the speed of his delivery, sometimes even multiple times within a given at-bat. And unlike many contemporaries who are afraid to show too much emotion on the mound, Stroman wears his heart on his sleeve.
Stroman’s impromptu displays of confidence–such as his celebratory shimmy in the finals of the 2017 World Baseball Classic–are a welcome sight in a game too often concerned with respecting the “unwritten rules.”
Brandon Nimmo: The Happiest Man in Baseball
Nimmo became the first draft pick of the Sandy Alderson era when he was selected thirteenth overall in 2011. The early fascination with Nimmo arose from the fact that he hails from Wyoming, a state that does not offer high school baseball.
Later, Nimmo would gain attention for his on-base skills and his perpetually cheerful demeanor. Dubbed “The Happiest Man in Baseball” by SNY play-by-play man Gary Cohen, Nimmo always has a goofy grin stretched across his face. The reason Nimmo is so gosh darn likable, however, is that his sunny outlook is completely authentic.
His genuine exuberance is evident in everything he does, like how he sprints to first base after taking a walk or being hit by a pitch. Some might view this practice as “false hustle,” but it’s indicative of how Nimmo takes nothing for granted. He plays every game as if it might be his last, and runs out every play accordingly.
Nimmo’s likeability extends beyond the playing field. Since making his big league debut in 2016, Nimmo has become more polished in his on-camera interviews. He’s still unassuming, and maintains much of the same “aw shucks” sincerity that has become his trademark. The difference is that he’s now more revealing and insightful in his answers.
And, as SNY reporter Steve Gelbs can attest, Nimmo can also be a rather playful interview subject. During the last few springs in Port St. Lucie, Nimmo has interrupted his in-game interviews with Gelbs to provide expert play-by-play. He’s also sprinkled in phrases like “sun ball double” to further remind us of his folksy charm.
That charm was on full display during an MLB Network 30 Clubs in 30 Days special earlier this spring. When host Greg Amsinger asked Nimmo his thoughts on clowns, the Mets outfielder began talking about how Wyoming is “big sky country.” The response made it clear that Nimmo believed the question was about clouds, not circus performers or children’s party entertainers.
That answer illustrates why Nimmo is one of the more jovial personalities in all of baseball. In a world where so many of us have become cynical and jaded, he maintains an irrepressibly optimistic outlook on life.
Dominic Smith: The Ultimate Team Player
Although Pete Alonso, Jacob deGrom, and Jeff McNeil grabbed more headlines, Dominic Smith enjoyed the most triumphant moment of any Met in 2019. Smith missed over two months with a stress fracture in his left foot, and it appeared that he might finish the season on the Injured List.
Smith was activated on September 26th, and didn’t see game action until the season’s final day. He would have spent the entire afternoon on the bench, but when the game entered the 11th inning, Smith replaced Pete Alonso at first base.
Then, when Smith came to bat for the first time in the bottom of the 11th, he roped a line drive over the right field wall for a three-run walk-off homer.
Smith’s breakout season had largely flown under the radar, and he had earned his own moment in the spotlight after months of putting the team first. Throughout 2019, Smith showed unwavering support toward his teammates, even when he didn’t stand to benefit.
That altruistic spirit was first visible in Spring Training, when then-prospect Pete Alonso beat him out for the starting first baseman job.
Rather than grow resentful or jealous, Smith developed a friendship with Alonso. The two never viewed each other as rivals, but rather as two kids chasing the same dream. They fed off each other’s energy, and although Smith was forced out of his natural position, he never stopped rooting for Alonso to succeed.
Smith’s warm presence and positive mindset kept the clubhouse loose amid the pressures of a playoff chase. Nothing could prevent him from cheering on his squad, even the foot fracture that limited his mobility.
After Michael Conforto beat the Nationals with a walk-off single on August 9th, Smith rolled onto the field in his knee scooter with its customized “LFGM 2019” license plate. The sight of Dom riding his scooter next to a shirtless Michael Conforto was both comical and highly symbolic. Despite the adversity he faced in 2019, Dom just kept on rollin’.
Fans have gravitated toward Smith because he doesn’t complain, but instead makes the most of his circumstances. He’s been presented with several obstacles over the past few years, including a battle with sleep apnea. With all he’s endured, Smith remains grateful for the opportunity to play in the big leagues.
Francisco Lindor: The Stylish Mr. Smile
Francisco Lindor is an effervescent presence who commands a room. This year, he’s also become a fashion trendsetter.
When he wore the iconic Eddie Murphy Mets jacket from Coming to America at the start of Spring Training, fans couldn’t wait to snag one for themselves. He recently released his own signature shoe and apparel collection with New Balance, becoming the first baseball player to have a custom line with the brand.
Lindor brings both his smile and style to Queens this year, where he’s sure to captivate with his charisma and all-around exceptional play.
Lindor is a Met, but for how long? Though he says he is unafraid to test free agency, fans are hoping Lindor can remain in orange and blue for the long term. For now, they’ll savor having one of the game’s ten best players manning shortstop every day.
Searle’s Final Say
Though they fell short of expectations in 2020, the Mets were 20 games over .500 in the second half of 2019, in part because their personalities gelled so cohesively. This team is not short on attitude, and they’ll need to remain confident to survive in a cutthroat division. If their postseason dreams come to fruition, all of America will fall in love with this tightly-knit group.
I really need some Mets moment during this time
I do hope you can provide them to me