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Figgy Getaboutit!

Written by Benny B. | 02 June 2010

Figgy BrickNelson Figueroa was a great story for the Mets.  He was a home town boy, routed for the Mets and was finally given a shot in to pitch for the team that he loved after 4 years of minor league purgatory when an injury bug that would span two seasons decimated Mets core players.

In 2009 when 4/5ths of the rotation was either injured or underperforming, Figgy started out strong but posted a poor record of 3-8.  However wins and loses don't tell the entire story for a team that lost almost 100 games.  He pitched about how you would expect a journey man, replacement player would pitch: Mediocre.  Anyway, the Mets didn't have any better options.

Fast forward to Spring Training 2010.  Figgy was lights out and everybody including yours truly thought he would make the 25 man roster as a reliever.  Alas, that was not the case and poor Figgy refused an assignment to the minors and was picked up by the defending NL Champs and arch rival Phillies.

Coming into the Mets series last week, Nelson did not hold back his disdain for the Mets organization:

"While it's one person's decision and it's a business, they're shocked when you take it personally. It's hard to not...In two years I gave them blood, sweat, tears, my heart and my soul - and it wasn't enough to make the team this year.....I shouldn't have had to prove that I belonged on this team."

I got news for you Nelson:  EVERY player must prove that they belong....Even Johan Santana & Doc Halliday. There are no free passes in baseball.  It's about performance and results.  Perhaps it was this display of arrogance that lost you that final roster spot.  When asked about the Mets problems, again Figgy didn't hold back:

"Everyone worries about, 'Well, what did Jimmy Rollins say?' " said Figueroa, who believes the same drama never follows the Yankees because "when you're winning, people love a winner. When you're the second-best team in your city, there's always drama with that. There's always got to be a story, whether it's a story from within looking for attention somehow....Somehow (the Phillies) got this group, somewhere along the line, to believe that they could do it and they will do it. They didn't have to force it. Day in and day out, no matter who is on the mound, we believe we're going to win."

How the hell does Figgy now knows what it's like to be a "winner" like the Yankees?  And no Drama?  Ummmm, have you ever heard of Alex "lightning rod"-riguez?  There is always drama with that guy.  And what about Texiera?  He was booed mercilessly last year and was already dubbed a bust after his slow start.  Nothing irks me more when a human being draws from experiences he never possessed.  But he saved the best for last:

"When I became the odd man out, I asked why and they said, 'It's just the move we need to make' and thought that would be enough for me to explain it to my family," he said. "That's not enough when you've given your life and been taken away from your family to do this."

Boo hoo!  Poor Nelson; getting paid handsomely to play a game for a living. Cry Plus you weren't "taken away" from your family.  This is the life you chose to live you cry baby.

"To have the rug pulled out from under you, you have to find a way to refocus, and there's no better way than first place," Figueroa said. "This clubhouse is different....They don't panic early in April when we have a two-game losing streak and wonder if the manager is getting fired, or if the GM is getting fired. It's a good feeling to know there will be a tomorrow."

Yes, it is also a good feeling when Karma comes a calling.  Not only does Nelson get hammered by giving up 3 runs in relief to the Mets after making these comments, a few days later he is DFA'd to make room for Lidge, and the Phillies are no longer in first place.  So much for that good feeling of knowing where he will be tomorrow...

It's only natural to want to stick it to the team that thought you weren't good enough.  But there is a way to do it without burning bridges.  Simply do it on the field.  Here's a newsflash for ya:  You aren't good enough Nelson to be more than a AAAA replacement.  In hindsight, the Mets made the right move passing you over for the likes of Igarishi & Takahashi.  The Mets bullpen has been solid, albeit overused with cracks starting to show.  But that is baseball, injuries are a part of the game. Had Nelson stayed in the Mets system instead of taking on an "I don't have to prove myself" attitude, he probably would have already been called up to long relieve & spot start and might be still be with the team now.

Furthermore, I have a hunch had Nelson not made these statements, he could have been offered to return to the Mets after being put on waivers; especially armed with insider information on Phillies scouting. But, this is no longer a possibility; We all know that the Mets are a team that holds grudges (see Adam Rubin vs. Omar Miniya), and regardless of how much it would make sense, Figgy has made it impossible for him to be brought back.  Try explaining that to your family, Nelson.  But hey, there is always the "good feeling" of knowing you can visit your father's brick at Citifield....

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