DeGrom Returns to Citi Field with a Standout Performance
Jacob deGrom starred in an emotional return to Citi Field, receiving a warm welcome in his first appearance against the New York Mets since leaving the team in December 2022. On Friday night, deGrom was greeted with an initial six-run lead, courtesy of his teammates on the Texas Rangers. The fans, who cheered him during his warm-up, remained expectant of the star pitcher’s performance. DeGrom, two-time Cy Young Award winner and with an 82-57 record in nine seasons with the Mets, experienced a mixed response. Fans were stunned to see the Rangers score six runs in the first inning. Despite giving up three runs in the third inning, deGrom recovered to retire the last 15 batters he faced. He finished with an ERA of 2.82 in a season where he earned his fifth All-Star selection, the first since 2021. He allowed only three runs and four hits in seven innings. His average speed was 98 mph with his fastest pitch reaching 99.6 mph. The Rangers took the victory with a score of 8-3. Before the game, a video with deGrom’s best moments was projected, accompanied by “Simple Man” by Lynard Skynard, his old warm-up song. DeGrom thanked the fans, receiving another ovation when he appeared on the screen while preparing in the bullpen. DeGrom arrived at Citi Field with a regular season ERA of 2.12, the second-lowest for a pitcher since 1920, with at least 500 innings pitched in a stadium, only surpassed by Sandy Koufax. “He’s excited to be back. He has great memories here, as he should,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said before the game. DeGrom, who turned 37 in June, won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and the NL Cy Young in 2018 and 2019 with the Mets. He is the franchise leader in ERA (2.52), WHIP (.998) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.91) among pitchers with at least 500 innings.
DeGrom, limited to 26 starts between 2021 and 2022, missed part of the season due to physical discomfort. He opted not to exercise his contract with the Mets after the 2022 season and signed a $185 million five-year contract with the Rangers. He only made six starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery in June and returning in September of last year. DeGrom, with a pitch speed of 97.5 mph, was looking to regain his best form. Before the game, Mendoza highlighted deGrom’s ability to dominate the game with his electric pitch.“He represented a lot and meant a lot to this organization. He was a spectacle. He was the type of person that people came to the stadium to see pitch”.
Carlos Mendoza
