NY Mets: Rest in peace to one of the great relievers, Pedro Feliciano

Former New York Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano has passed away at the young age of 45. Like the rest of you, I was in a state of shock and sadness.

It is never easy seeing your baseball heroes age and retire. It is especially hard when these players leave us forever. We felt that emotion when “The Franchise” Tom Seaver passed away during the 2020 season.

Now I would never compare losing a loved one to losing someone from your favorite team. With that said, sports fanbases do grow close to players of their favorite teams and it does feel like losing a family member.

Pedro Feliciano was a fan favorite during his Mets run from 2006-10. Best described by his nickname, “Perpetual Pedro,” Feliciano was an unsung hero for the bullpen.

From 2008-2010, Feliciano led the major leagues in appearances (86, 88, 92). He spent his whole career in Queens and went 22-21 with a 3.33 ERA.

The thing that I will remember and cherish the most about Feliciano’s time in Queens was his amazing 2006 season. He went 7-2 with a career-low 2.09 ERA and helped the Mets back into the playoffs.

With closer Billy Wagner leading the charge, Feliciano and Chad Bradford made for a great 1-2 punch in the middle innings. Both had deceptive deliveries and thrived on the big stage.

That was one of the best bullpens I remember being able to watch on a daily basis and Perpetual Pedro made it that much better.

All of us Mets fans are going to miss you. Rest easy Pedro.

Elizabeth Muratore Tribute

Pedro Feliciano was synonymous with the mid-2000s Mets.

I started following the Mets back in 2006, which was the best season of his career. From 2006 through 2010, he seemed to pitch almost every single day.

My dad and I used to love it when “Perpetual Pedro” came into the game and, more often than not, saved the Mets from imminent disaster. I never got a chance to meet him in person, but the Mets fans I know who have met him say he was a wonderful and gracious man.

This is an enormous loss for the baseball community, and I sincerely hope that his family and friends have the support they need in the wake of his passing.

Tim Boyle Tribute

Available. Steady. Reliable. It’s all you can ask for from any person in any industry. Pedro Feliciano was all of those things. It’s a shame we didn’t get to really know him as a person. Our moments with him were brief but often.

We all come into this world hoping to leave a legacy. Pedro accomplished that. May he rest in peace.

Justin Sarachik Tribute

It was a joy to watch Pedro Feliciano pitch in his tenure with the Mets. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more dependable non-closing reliever in all of the game during his magnificent five-year stretch with the team. He did his job, was always available, and always took the ball when he was needed. You couldn’t ask for a better player on your ball club.