Jacob deGrom might be confused when he arrives at his locker on August 25 and sees a different name over the number on the back of his road uniform. August 25 to 27, when the Mets are in Washington, is MLB Players Weekend, a three-day period when players can, in the name of fun or something like it [1], wear their nicknames on their jerseys. The Mets have several players who, should they be on the trip, have obvious choices. Noah Syndergaard would be THOR. Matt Harvey would be DARK KNIGHT. Zack Wheeler would be THEY DL ME TOO [2].
DeGrom? If he filed for one, it was probably JAKE or JdG or perhaps deGROMINATOR. Yet all will be rejected, whether Jacob is informed in advance or not, in favor of the people’s choice.
Fuckin’ A.
Or, as it will appear on fabric, FUCKIN A 48.
This assumes that whoever at MLB headquarters is responsible for nickname compilation was up late Monday night listening to the repeated satisfaction-laced exhortations [3] of Mets fans like myself as deGrom threw his usual superb start in San Diego.
Jacob strikes out the side in the first?
FUCKIN A
Jacob throws a double play ball to escape the second?
FUCKIN A
Jacob leaves single runners on in the third and fourth?
FUCKIN A
Jacob retires seven in a row to get through six with a 4-0 lead?
FUCKIN A
Jacob strikes out the side in the seventh after surrendering a solo home run to Hunter Renfroe?
FUCKIN A
Jacob leaves after eight innings, having given up only two runs, is in line for his eighth consecutive victory in eight starts, perseveres through nagging foot discomfort, remains in command throughout, asserts himself like few pitchers in the league and no other pitcher on the Mets?
FUCKIN A
Addison Reed nearly gives back what was a seemingly secure 5-2 lead, allowing another leadoff home run to Renfroe and getting very lucky when Jabari Blash comes within inches of Jabari-blasting a three-run shot to right that goes ever so slightly foul, before holding on for a 5-3 final over the pesky Padres [4]?
OH FOR CRISSAKE
MLB probably won’t need to ship the Mets an OH FOR CRISSAKE 43 jersey to hang in Reed’s locker come August 25. Chances are he’ll be traded by then.