Amazin' Daily Briefing

Amazin' Daily Briefing: January 20th, 2025

Thomas Vaccaro

— 5 min read
Amazin' Daily Briefing: January 20th, 2025

On This Day in Mets History

Newspaper covers:

  • 2021: Fired, Get the Hell Out!, Zero Tolerance

Transactions:

  • 2004: New York Mets signed free agent Karim Garcia (New York Yankees).
  • 2004: New York Mets signed free agent Jose Parra.
  • 2008: New York Mets signed free agent Rene Rivera.
  • 2009: New York Mets signed free agent Tom Martin.
  • 2009: New York Mets signed free agent Cory Sullivan (Colorado Rockies).
  • 2010: Houston Astros signed Cory Sullivan (New York Mets) as a free agent.
  • 2011: New York Mets signed free agent Scott Hairston (San Diego Padres).
  • 2011: New York Mets signed free agent Rafael Montero.
  • 2017: Oakland Athletics signed Alejandro De Aza (New York Mets) as a free agent.
  • 2020: Toronto Blue Jays signed Joe Panik (New York Mets) as a free agent.
  • 2020: Toronto Blue Jays signed Ruben Tejada (New York Mets) as a free agent.

Trivia Question of The Day:

The Mets made their home debut on April 14, 1962, who did they play and what was the final score of the game? (Scroll to the bottom to find the answer)

The New York Mets made home debut on April 13th 1962 at the iconic Polo Grounds in a game played in front of a crowd of 12,447 fans. The weather added an extra challenge, as rain turned the field into a muddy battleground, but it did not dampen the excitement of the team's first home game.

Frank Thomas provided a highlight for the Mets, launching a home run that energized the fans and brought a moment of celebration despite the team's struggles on the field. Enthusiasm for the team was high, with fans expressing optimism and embracing the Mets as a fresh start for National League baseball in New York.

Although the game was not a victory for the Mets, their spirited effort and the charm of their inaugural season endeared them to their supporters, marking the beginning of a deep connection between the team and its fans.

Cartoonist Bill Gallo attempts to explain why the Mets are so bad. (1962)
"I’ve been in this game one hundred years, but I see new ways to lose 'em I never knew existed before." Casey Stengel, 1962

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Random Player Spotlight

Damon Buford

  • Years with Mets: 1995
  • 44 games. 4 HR, 12 RBI, .235 avg, 24 Runs, 7 stolen bases

Trivia Answer

On April 13th 1962, the New York Mets played their home opener at the Polo Grounds against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets lost the game with a final score of 4-3.

The Writer's Fastball

Francisco Lindor's 2024 season with the Mets was one of redemption following an inconsistent start.

Initially, he struggled, but a move to the leadoff spot in late May seemed to unleash him. Here's how his season unfolded:

  • Early Season Struggles: Pre-June 1st performance:
    • Batting Average: .215
    • Hits: 45
    • Home Runs: 6
    • RBI: 23
    • Runs Scored: 32
    • Stolen Bases: 10
  • Post-June 1 Performance: From June 1 onward, Lindor was a different player:
    • Batting Average: He hit an impressive .300 over 95 games, amassing 116 hits.
    • Power Numbers: Lindor smashed 24 home runs in this timeframe, showing his power had returned in force.
    • RBI and Runs: He drove in 62 runs and scored 74 times, becoming a key part of the Mets' offensive surge.
    • Clutch Moments: His late-season heroics included several game-changing moments, including clutch hits in tight games and a few walk-off scenarios that helped the Mets secure crucial wins.

His turnaround not only revitalized the Mets' offense but also reignited his status as one of the premier players in baseball. His performance in the latter part of 2024 set the stage for what could be an MVP-caliber 2025 campaign.

Prediction: The addition of Juan Soto to the lineup will allow Lindor to cross the 100-run mark while hitting over 30 home runs, stealing over 30 bases, and batting above .280, positioning him to vie for the NL MVP once again.

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