NY Mets: 5 best moments of Jacob deGrom’s career so far

4 of 5

Aug 28, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob DeGrom (48) prepares to pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Mets have not had a whole lot to cheer about in the past ten years. They did make the World Series in 2015 and the wild card game in 2016, but other than those two seasons, this decade has been disappointing.

One of the only bright spots in the last decade has been the emergence of Jacob deGrom. Since his debut in 2014, he has been absolutely incredible, which might even be an understatement.

From the second he made his debut in the big leagues he has made quite the impact with Amazin’ and memorable moments. I mean heck, the man was originally called up to be used out of the bullpen when Gonzalez German and Dillon Gee (remember them) were placed on the injured list.

Even though his Major League debut did not crack the top 5 moments in his career for me, it easily could have. deGrom gave us a preview of what was to come as he threw 7 innings against the crosstown rival Yankees and allowed only 1 run. Unfortunately, he also gave us a preview of the lack of run support he would receive as he was also handed the loss the day. On the bright side, he collected his first career hit and broke the ridiculous streak of at-bats without a hit for a Mets pitcher that season.

Jacob deGrom has blessed the Mets with some extremely big, clutch, and memorable moments in his career.

Although deGroms debut does not find itself in the top 5 moments of his career, it is still an extremely memorable moment from his career. I think it is fair to say making a list of his top 20 moments would not be that hard, he has been that good and has had that many great moments in his career.

With that being said, let us look at the top 5 moments in deGroms career before I do make a list of his top 20 moments.

5) Consecutive Strikeout Record

As if we did not think deGrom was good and dominant enough, he tied a then Major League record for most consecutive strikeouts to start a game with eight against the Miami Marlins on September 15th, 2014.

deGrom struck out the first eight men that came to the plate before allowing a hit to the pitcher.

This clearly was not good enough for deGrom as years later on April 17th, 2021, deGrom struck out nine straight Colorado Rockies (not to start a game), falling one short of the Major League record for consecutive strikeouts, held by Mets legend, Tom Seaver.

Anytime you are in the same sentence as Seaver you know are doing something right. The only question at this point is will deGrom edge out Seaver as the best Mets pitcher of all time, only time will tell with this one.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 14: National League All-Star Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the American League during the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4) All-Star Game Emergence

Elected to his first All-Star game in only his second season in the league, deGrom showed the league a little preview of just how dominant he would be. Coming out of the bullpen in the top of the sixth inning, deGrom struck out Stephen Vogt, Jason Kipnis, and Jose Iglesias on only ten pitches.

Anytime you strike out the side it is impressive, add on the fact that it was done on 10 pitches makes it even better, and why stop there when you can do it against the league’s best players in the All-Star game.

I remember sitting down watching this game waiting for deGrom to come into the game as he was the only Mets player. I also remember sitting in awe as he made it look so easy. I was almost a little annoyed that he did that good as odd as that may sound because I wanted to see him throw more than ten pitches. At the end of the night and that inning, I was still ecstatic I got to watch deGrom in the All-Star game and show the league how good he truly was.

I think this is when most Mets fans and baseball fans, in general, realized deGrom could truly be something special. Fellow Rising Apple writer Elizabeth Muratore recently wrote about this deGrom moment and captures it perfectly how much this moment can and did impact a Mets fan.

I am still in awe years later at how easy he made it look against some of the league’s best players at that time.

Hopefully, the next step for deGrom is showing the world how dominant he can be on baseball’s greatest stage in October.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 15: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3) 2015 NLDS Game 5 Start

Fast forward a couple of months after deGrom mowed down the side in the All-Star game, he got the start in a win-or-go-home game against the juggernaut Dodgers in their home ballpark.

I think this is the one moment in deGrom’s career that nobody will ever forget. It was clear from the start of the game that he did not have his “A” game, but he still managed to power through and give the Mets 6 innings while allowing 2 runs which helped them win and eventually advance to the NLCS.

I remember watching this game by myself and looking back, it was probably a good thing. I had gone out for the first game of the series with some friends and while I enjoyed it greatly, it was great knowing if they did lose, there were still possibly four more games. Watching game 5 knowing it was win or go home, I was a mess for a good part of the game with how shaky deGrom was in the first few innings. Luckily, he was able to settle down and throw arguably his biggest and most clutch game of his career.

Even on a day where deGrom struggled mightily, he was still able to hold a great Dodgers team to 2 runs which truly shows how great he can be even without his best “stuff”. The Dodgers were the clear favorite to win the series but 2 big starts by deGrom, mainly his game 5 start, helped the Mets edge them out.

Similar to the other 2 moments, deGrom was giving us a preview of how later in his career when it was clear he did not have his best “stuff” or his “A” game, he is still capable of dominating the opponent and giving the Mets more than a fair shot of winning the game.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets celebrates his shutout against the Washington Nationals with his teammates at Citi Field on April 23, 2021 in New York City. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Mets defeated the Nationals 6-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2) THE deGrom Game

There is a part of me that may be a little biased because I was at this game and it was my second game back after the shorted 2020 season without fans, but then I look at deGrom’s line again and think it is fair to have this at number two.

April 23rd, 2021, Jacob deGrom threw what was easily the most dominant start I have seen in my life. He threw a complete-game shutout allowing only 2 hits, walked none, struck out 15 Nationals, and went 2 for 4 at the plate with 2 runs scored, a run driven in, and a double.

The 2 hits that were allowed were a missed diving catch by Brandon Nimmo in center field and a hit against the shift that would have normally been a routine ground out. It is amazing how close deGrom was to something even more special than the masterful game he did throw.

It was clear very early on that deGrom had his “A” game that night. It was no later than the completion of the second inning I thought to myself that he could do something special that night. Now while he did not throw a no-hitter or perfect game, he was awfully close and still did have a special game.

In a limited capacity crowd, the place sounded sold out. There were MVP chants the entire night for deGrom, only a few weeks into the season nonetheless. My grandfather even asked me how many people were there when I saw him the next night because it was so loud on the TV.

This is a game I know that I will never forget, partly because I got to see it in person, but also because of how overpowering deGrom was that night, more than his normal self.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 24: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets smiles as he leaves the game after the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves during Opening Day at Citi Field on July 24, 2020 in New York City. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

1) Back to Back Cy Young Awards

Winning a Cy Young award is nothing to ignore as most people know. Winning more than one is even more impressive. Winning two and having them back to back is all that more eye-opening. Let us not forget the deGrom was awfully close to winning three in a row too.

2018 and 2019 were some of the most dominant stretches I have ever seen thrown by a pitcher. A 1.70 ERA is just stupid and I still cannot believe deGrom was able to put that together in 217 innings, that is just unheard of. His 2.43 ERA in 2019 over 204 innings is incredibly impressive too.

Although he did not win the 3 consecutive Cy Youngs as many had hoped and thought he deserved, his 3rd place finish in 2020 should not make us forget that he did win the previous two years.

By the time deGrom’s career comes to an end (hopefully not anytime soon), I think winning back-to-back Cy Young awards will be towards if not at the top of his career accolades and moments from his career.

Although his 2021 season was cut short due to injury, it should not be ignored how dominant he was before hitting the IL for half the season. deGrom put his other seasons to shame with a 1.08 ERA, a 0.554 WHIP, and 146 strikeouts in 92 innings.

This will go down as one of the biggest “what ifs” in the history of baseball, but I think we should appreciate what we did get to see and witness because if this was a season from a relief pitcher, there is a good chance they would get a significant Cy Young award push. This season will go down as one of deGrom’s best moments in his career despite missing half the year.

deGrom has had no shortage of dominant, great, and memorable moments in his career. From mowing down hitters in the midsummer classic, flirting with history, winning multiple Cy Young awards, coming through in the clutch in huge games, and just making hitters look foolish with how dominant he is on a daily basis, deGroms career will have many memorable moments by the time it is completed.

Hopefully, he adds many more moments to this list and some that can fight their way into the top 5 when he decides to hang his cleats up years down the road.

New York Mets Top 5 Center Fielders in Team History. Next

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

What do you think deGrom’s top 5 moments in his career for the Mets are?