4 Mets highlights from the first half of the 2022 season

Mets Highlight: May 2nd, Mets DFA Robinson Canó

A few days after the combined no-hitter, the Mets made a tough decision to designate Robinson Canó for assignment.

It was a tough decision considering that he still had two years left on his deal and close to $38mil left on his contract but it had to be done. Canó had struggled to start the season hitting .195 with one home run and 3 runs batted in.

With a roster move needing to be made and a four-hit game from an also struggling Dom Smith the day before, the Mets decided to make a “baseball decision” and drop Robinson Cano.

The move set a couple of things in motion. For one it showed that the front office meant business and that they weren’t afraid to make the right decisions just because of a contract. Something that was lacking from previous ownership. It definitely felt that the remnants of the Wilpon Era were washed away for good.

The move to bring in Canó was not really met with much fanfare. Yes, it brought over All-Star closer Edwin Diaz but the deal in itself was panned due to the fact that the Mets gave up two highly touted prospects, including top outfield prospect Jared Kelenic. An aging Canó at the end of his career was not what this fan base wanted, especially at the money he was making.

It’s all over now and all sides have moved on, and moved on for the better.

Mets Highlight: May 5th, The 7-run rally in Philly

Well, the title speaks for itself. Isn't it funny that two of the biggest highlights of the Mets season come against the Phillies? Haha!

What had started off as a dud of a game finished with a comeback of epic proportions. 

Taijuan Walker got the start and had a very rare off day on the mound. He only lasted 4 innings giving up 9 hits and 7 runs (6 earned). The Mets scored a run in the 6th inning on a Starling Marte solo shot but that was it until the 9th inning.

Down 7-1 in the 9th, Mets magic started to materialize. With a man on, Francisco Lindor hit a two-run shot to cut the Phillies' lead to 7-3. You usually like to see a comeback capped off with a home run but the Mets still had some hits left in them.

Philly pitcher James Norwood could only record one out as he gave up four earned runs. It was now time to bring in closer Corey Knebel who didn’t fare much better.

With the tying runs on base, Brandon Nimmo came through with a single up the middle to tie the game and bring the Philly crowd to complete silence. Next up was Starling Marte and he gave the Mets the lead with an RBI double.

Edwin Diaz came in striking out two for the save and capped off a comeback that even stunned some Mets fans. It showed that this team was for real and nothing would hold them back.

Mets Highlight: July 9th, Keith Hernandez number retirement ceremony

What a journey it has been for Keith Hernandez in Queens. It all started off with a trade back in 1983 that brought the Gold Glove, Co-MVP, and World Champion to Queens from St. Louis.

Reluctant to want to be here at first, Hernandez became a legend in Queens and has been here ever since.

He transformed the team and provided leadership on and off the field that could not be compared. Just ask his teammates. This leadership led to a great second half of the 80s culminating with a World Series championship in 1986.

Following the World Series championship, Hernandez shared co-captain duties with Gary Carter. This lasted until the end of 1989 when his contract ran out.

After retiring, he became a fixture in New York by making a guest appearance on the popular comedy sitcom, Seinfeld.

Hernandez returned to the Mets organization, but this time as a play-by-announcer on SNY along with Gary Cohen and former teammate Ron Darling. Not only did he succeed on the field but has become one-third of possibly the best broadcast team in all of baseball.

I never got to see Hernandez play, but being in attendance for his retirement ceremony showed me just how important he was not only to this organization but to the fan base in Queens as well.

A sold-out crowd packed Citi Field to see one of the greatest get his number retired. From the video package to Keith’s speech it was a beautiful ceremony and day to honor this Mets legend.

On top of that, there was baseball to be played after the ceremony and the Mets defeated the Marlins in a comeback that even the 1986 championship team would be proud of.