Mets All-Star snub has gone full Michael Jordan and taken his exclusion personally

Is there a bigger MLB All-Star snub right now than Brandon Nimmo? The New York Mets outfielder remains a contender to sneak onto the roster if someone bows out due to injury or vacation plans they intend to use.

Since Sunday’s All-Star roster announcement, which didn’t include Nimmo, the team has gone 3-1 with Nimmo being the most productive member of the lineup.

Michael Jordan is known for a couple of things. One is being the greatest basketball player ever. Another is becoming one of the first memes because he cried at his Hall of Fame induction. For a whole new generation, his comment about taking things personally from the Netflix documentary The Last Dance is the latest reference to the GOAT. Nimmo and his kind nature might never admit to taking anything personally. But over those last four games, the man is wreaking havoc.

Brandon Nimmo has been an RBI machine since his All-Star snub

Riding a six-game hitting streak, Nimmo has gone 5 for 17 in the last four games which at first glance looks unimpressive. It’s the quality of hits.

Home runs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and a bases clearing double on Thursday gives him 9 RBI over these four games. A bit out of character, Nimmo hasn’t drawn a walk in any of these games. He’s swinging freely. Included in those home runs was a bash on a 3-0 pitch in Monday’s loss. Instead of waiting for something to happen, he went out and attacked.

It’s hard to believe Nimmo was ever in a slump this season. He was hitting .209 heading into their game on May 31. The switch to the number two spot has undoubtedly changed his approach at the plate and for the better.

A lot has been said recently about the clutch numbers for Jose Iglesias. Rightfully so. He has amazing with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Nimmo’s 1.173 OPS with runners in scoring position in a sample size of 80 at-bats is third in baseball among qualified hitters. Only perennial MVP candidates Bryce Harper and Juan Soto have done better.

Smiling in public with an “aw shucks” attitude about being left off the All-Star roster, Nimmo’s bat has grown more ferocious.