2 Mets players that became folk heroes this season, 1 who can join them

May 12, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) slides in to third base for a triple during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) slides in to third base for a triple during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Mets
May 11, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pinch hitter Patrick Mazeika (L) is congratulated by shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) after a walk-off fielders choice during the bottom of the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Patrick Mazeika became a Mets folk hero with clutch fielder’s choices

Where do we begin with Patrick Mazeika? The most clutch man in sports and entertainment, he is the definition of a baseball folk hero.

In only his second plate appearance of the year, Mazeika drove in the winning run on a pinch-hit fielder’s choice in the bottom of the tenth inning. He would knock in the eventual winning run two days later then follow up with yet another walk-off win via fielder’s choice two days after that.

The most exciting play in baseball is probably the inside-the-park home run. Watching a player dash across every base and make it home safely without the ball leaving the yard can get even the laziest of fans to stand up out of their seats. Somehow, Mazeika made fielder’s choices fun.

An ill-fitting player on the Mets from the start because of his defensive limitations at catcher and first base, Mazeika seemed to luck into some moments with the team. I’m not yet sure what the future holds for him with this franchise. However, we do know one thing:

Years from now, whenever the Mets are in the bottom half of the last inning with a man on third base, we’re going to all agree who we want at the plate. His name is Patrick Mazeika, the magic man of 2021.