New York Mets' Closer Edwin Diaz Returns to Mound in Electric Fashion on Monday
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New York Mets' closer Edwin Diaz returned to the mound for the first time in a year on Monday night, taking the hill to his iconic "trumpet" walkout song.
You can watch the video of his entrance below, courtesy of SNY:
HE'S BAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK. SOUND 'EM.
Diaz and his walkout song were popularized in 2022, the season in which Diaz cemented himself as the most dominant reliever in the game. Unfortunately, Diaz wasn't able to show that in 2023, as he missed the entire season after badly injuring his knee during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Puerto Rico.
When Diaz was getting ready for 2023, the Mets were seen as a World Series favorite, but after trading away veterans like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander last year, he comes back to a team expected to finish third or fourth in the National League East. But, if New York is going to beat the projection, Diaz will be a big part of it.
Diaz had 32 saves in 2022 with a 1.31 ERA.
He started his career in the minor leagues as a starting pitcher with the Seattle Mariners but quickly became an excellent reliever, making the AL All-Star team in 2018 when he led the league with 57 saves. He was traded to the Mets after that 2018 season along with Robinson Cano in exchange for (most notably) Jarred Kelenic. The Mariners just traded Kelenic to the Braves this offseason.
Diaz signed a five-year contract before the 2023 season worth $102 million.
And oh yeah, Diaz struck out the side in his return....
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