James McCann [1] destroyed the team that sent him away, going 3 for 3 with 5 RBIs and even stealing a base.
That’s the headline [2], but the punchline [3] comes courtesy of our Metsmerized buddy Mike Mayer: Only two catchers have ever had at least 3 hits, 5 RBIs, a walk and a steal in a game against the Mets. McCann is one; the other is …
(wait for it)
(waaaaait for it)
… Travis d’Arnaud [4].
Ouch!
McCann had help, not just from the young-gun Orioles in their mod black City Connect unis, but also from the Mets’ bullpen and defense, which fell apart in an ugly four-run bottom of the sixth that erased the Mets’ just-completed rally to tie things up. Starling Marte [5] was the chief offender in the slapstick, though perhaps his defense was hampered by the giant fork sticking out of his back, the one that’s been visible all season and that we’ve shied away from talking about.
If you’d like to dwell on the faintest silver of linings, David Peterson [6] looked OK and Josh Walker [7] pitched well after a nightmarish week. And Camden Yards gave Buck Showalter [8] a long, warm ovation, which was nice.
Take your silver linings where you find them for the rest of the year, and never mind how faint, as the Mets are bad and look shell-shocked on top of that. The shell shock will presumably pass; good luck with the whole not being bad thing. Instead, here’s to seeing what Francisco Alvarez [9] can do to the rookie catcher record books, if Brett Baty [10] can let his talent flow and push through a period in which he looks tired and dispirited, and if Mark Vientos [11] actually gets to pay and does something with the opportunity.
Beyond that? Sure, it’d be nice to see some players who’ve had miserable seasons revert to their means, but those feel less like causes for celebration than bids for mollification.
My other suggestion is to watch good young teams with something to play for. Look no further than the Orioles, who’ve arrived quicker than they expected and are playing with verve, dash and the high step of guys who know they’re rolling with house money. We’ve been there and remember how much fun it can be; one day, believe it or not, we’ll be back there and delight in experiencing it again.
One day, but not for a while. There’s too much season left, all of it to be played under a white flag [12], and it’s going to be rough. Be kind to yourself and your fellow Mets fans, and we’ll find our way through to better days.