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Memories of Steven Matz

G-Fafif Jan 27 2021 08:09 PM

He was from Long Island, I'm pretty sure.

kcmets Jan 27 2021 08:14 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

His first game was memorable, if my memory serves me correctly.

G-Fafif Jan 27 2021 08:22 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

The Mets trusted him quite a lot based on a slight track record, giving him a postseason rotation slot over Colon and Niese. He didn't suck at the time. I attended his one shutout, vs Pittsburgh in 2019. Felt really good for him. Always liked him as a person; really wanted him traded.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 27 2021 08:24 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Yeah memories of Steven will always include grandad Matz. What a debut. He possesses all the skills and when he would strikeout nine dudes you'd think it should always happen. But alas he had trouble harnessing it, and his expressions bore the frustrations we all felt. Good luck, dude.

Edgy MD Jan 27 2021 09:06 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

One of those rare weirdos who throws lefty and bats righty. Not a guy who ever seemed particularly happy or comfortable in his skin. I hope he and Canada get along great.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jan 27 2021 09:18 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Last remnant by a longshot from the first Omar era. Omar and the Wilpons seemed to really love him, and never dared to move him even though he was wildly inconsistent and often not right physically. Had great moments like his debut but also struck me very odd. Married a religious Southern country singer, never convinced me he actually liked the Mets, took forever to arrive. I've been mad at him ever since he blew a 4-0 lead to the White Sox on a beautiful Saturday afternoon game early in his career. Probably his second season after an injury stopped his first. Just that kinda guy. (Edit.. the details are not as I remember them). Still Beat it, Matz!!!

Fman99 Jan 28 2021 04:49 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Had a good debut. After that, more Mehtz than Matz.

MFS62 Jan 28 2021 05:02 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Frustrating. He teased us early and then regressed. Later

smg58 Jan 28 2021 06:29 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

In 2015 it looked like our rotation was all aces for years to come. If anything, Matz was the most frustrating of the bunch. Harvey and Syndergaard were held back by major injuries, but Matz just seemed to stop being all that good.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 06:44 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

One-time Schaefer award winner. April 2019. http://ultimatemets.com/cards/StevenMatz1972.jpg>

Edgy MD Jan 28 2021 07:43 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Talk about uncomfortable in his own skin. He couldn't even enjoy a Schaefer Award along with some time traveling back to old Shea.

LWFS Jan 28 2021 08:01 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Dude has Resting CheneyFace. Whatcha gonna do? He was big into first responders and vets' groups... and gave a bunch to local COVID relief this year. So, he's kinda like our Dolly Parton, except in no other way whatsoever is he like Dolly Parton. Edgy MD wrote: One of those rare weirdos who throws lefty and bats righty. The Carreon Club!

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 08:04 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I think of it as the Cleon Club, but I'm almost sixty.

Edgy MD Jan 28 2021 08:19 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Only five non-pitchers since 1900 have played 1,000 games batting right-handed and throwing left-handed: Rickey Henderson, Ryan Ludwick, Cody Ross, Cleon Jones, and Hal Chase. If you lower the standard to 500 games, the club still only grows to six, Mark Carreon being the additional member. While that's an interesting bunch of guys, if the group is going to be name after anybody, it's certainly got to be Rickey: The Henderson Horde or The Henderson Herd, though it's hard to call a group a herd when they are small enough to commute to work in a single car.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 28 2021 08:28 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I'd like to see those six guys squeezed into a VW. Umpossible.

LWFS Jan 28 2021 08:28 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

The Rickey Retinue? The problem with naming something after Rickey is, there's a LOT of quirks with Rickey. You'd have to remind someone you're telling about this that you're not talking about his legendary trash talk, or talking about himself, or weird-ass work habits. (Or, y'know, the basestealing and best-leadoff-hitter-ever things.)

batmagadanleadoff Jan 28 2021 08:30 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Edgy MD wrote: Only five non-pitchers since 1900 have played 1,000 games batting right-handed and throwing left-handed: Rickey Henderson, Ryan Ludwick, Cody Ross, Cleon Jones, and Hal Chase. If you lower the standard to 500 games, the club still only grows to six, Mark Carreon being the additional member. While that's an interesting bunch of guys, if the group is going to be name after anybody, it's certainly got to be Rickey: The Henderson Horde or The Henderson Herd, though it's hard to call a group a herd when they are small enough to commute to work in a single car. Wow! Some small group, even at the 500 game level. And half of them were Mets.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 08:31 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

While I acknowledge Rickey's incredible credentials, the loyalty of my inner eight-year-old goes to Cleon Jones. https://www.tcdb.com/Images/Cards/Baseball/71/71-527Fr.jpg>

Edgy MD Jan 28 2021 08:34 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Also, Ryan Ludwick and Cody Ross kind of feel like they were Mets at some point, perhaps on the Trot Nixon Plan.

G-Fafif Jan 28 2021 08:50 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Benjamin Grimm wrote: While I acknowledge Rickey's incredible credentials, the loyalty of my inner eight-year-old goes to Cleon Jones. https://www.tcdb.com/Images/Cards/Baseball/71/71-527Fr.jpg> Indeed. When I see a gathering like this... https://twitter.com/uniformcritic/status/1201310782803390464?s=21 ...my instinct is to think of it as Cleon Jones and others.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 28 2021 08:59 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

[FIMG=555]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48781589858_2c888886d0_c.jpg[/FIMG]

MFS62 Jan 28 2021 09:36 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 28 2021 09:56 AM

Matz was unpredictable. He was up and down like the unicorn on a carousel. Later

Frayed Knot Jan 28 2021 09:48 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

https://twitter.com/uniformcritic/status/1201310782803390464?s=21 So is that Schoendeinst on the far left? Then Matty Alou, Glenn Beckert?, Aaron & McCovey are obvious, Santo, Cleon, Bench, Rico Carty?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 09:49 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

My guess for the leftmost Cub is Don Kessinger.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 28 2021 09:52 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jan 28 2021 10:01 AM

It's gotta be Kessinger instead of Beckert, which it is. Also, because Felix Millan (far right) is the second baseman. Conspicuously absent - Willie Mays. But the fans didn't vote for the ASG starters in 1969.

Lefty Specialist Jan 28 2021 09:57 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

=smg58 post_id=55002 time=1611840544 user_id=62] In 2015 it looked like our rotation was all aces for years to come. If anything, Matz was the most frustrating of the bunch. Harvey and Syndergaard were held back by major injuries, but Matz just seemed to stop being all that good.

Matz was done in by his head. A bad play behind him, a bad pitch, and suddenly he couldn't get anybody out. Kept waiting for him to grow out of that but he never did.



He was tentatively the #5 behind deGrom, Stroman, Carrasco and Peterson (with Thor at a later date), so wonder what happens there. I dread the thought that this is clearing salary space for Bauer.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 28 2021 09:59 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I dread the part about clearing salary more than anything else. I mean, WTF, Mr-30th-wealthiest-guy-in-the-whole-wide-world?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 10:00 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Lefty Specialist wrote: I dread the thought that this is clearing salary space for Bauer. It might be. But that would be kind of like not eating a grape because you want to save room for a cantaloupe.

G-Fafif Jan 28 2021 10:00 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 28 2021 10:03 AM

My guess for the leftmost Cub is Don Kessinger. A chunk of my early baseball headspace was given over to resentment of Don Kessinger getting the attention due Bud Harrelson, an inequity resolved by 1971.

Edgy MD Jan 28 2021 10:01 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I got that impression that Matz beat himself too. He was like young Ron Darling in that way. When things were bad, his face and his body language went straight downhill. The fifth starter on the depth chart is Joey Lucchesi. Seth Lugo, also, has not been formally returned to the bullpen.

G-Fafif Jan 28 2021 10:02 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

MLB.com headline for a slow day: Matz departure stirs memories of Jones for long time Mets fans

TransMonk Jan 28 2021 11:01 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

He seemed to take over the Jon Niese role of staff lefty who had flashes of goodness, but had a hard time getting out of his own head. They would both get frustrated when outings went south, which too many times led to things getting out of control and giving up too many runs.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 11:05 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I remember Jon Niese! (I also vividly remember the day he was born.) I just looked him up. He pitched for the Mets, briefly, in 2016 after returning from the Pirates. Nothing in 2017 or 2018, but he pitched in 14 games (13 starts) for Seattle's AAA team in Tacoma in 2019.

Edgy MD Jan 28 2021 11:10 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Departs town ranked 23rd on the team all-time in strikeouts (interestingly surrounded on the list by other lefties: Al Jackson, Tom Glavine, Jesse Orosco, and Ollie Perez). Thirty-sixth in innings pitched, between Bartolo Colón and Frank Viola.

whippoorwill Jan 28 2021 12:29 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

My memories of him are bad

Johnny Lunchbucket Jan 28 2021 12:49 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

He was like Darling if Darling had frequent elbow issues.

ashie62 Jan 28 2021 12:52 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 28 2021 12:54 PM

A local guy who I liked. During the lockdown Matz spoke of sitting in his chair watching TV and testing curveball grips for hours. He was bored like me. And Bauer B-Comin.

Lefty Specialist Jan 28 2021 12:54 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Edgy MD wrote: The fifth starter on the depth chart is Joey Lucchesi. I loved him on Blossom in the '90's.

Edgy MD Jan 28 2021 01:14 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

MLB.com headline for a slow day: Matz departure stirs memories of Blossom for long-time Mets fans

metsmarathon Jan 28 2021 03:17 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

i remember he had a penchant for spinning random objects on his finger.... not really anything else, though.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 28 2021 03:31 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150628_NSD_02.jpg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150628_NYP_02.jpg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150629_NSD_02.jpg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150629_NYDN_02.jpeg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150629_NYP_02.jpg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150630_NSD_02.jpg>

smg58 Jan 28 2021 03:39 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

=LWFS post_id=55032 time=1611847707 user_id=84] The Rickey Retinue? The problem with naming something after Rickey is, there's a LOT of quirks with Rickey. You'd have to remind someone you're telling about this that you're not talking about his legendary trash talk, or talking about himself, or weird-ass work habits. (Or, y'know, the basestealing and best-leadoff-hitter-ever things.)

Rickey would not approve of you using that many pronouns in two sentences about Rickey, describing Rickey's trash talk, or Rickey's work habits, or Rickey talking about Rickey...



I think I have mentioned this before, but despite a number of maddening Met moments, there was something strangely endearing about that guy.

G-Fafif Jan 28 2021 08:10 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

https://twitter.com/smatz88/status/1354932972529577987?s=21

Chad ochoseis Jan 29 2021 07:07 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

He seemed to take over the Jon Niese role of staff lefty who had flashes of goodness, but had a hard time getting out of his own head. They would both get frustrated when outings went south, which too many times led to things getting out of control and giving up too many runs. And you just knew they'd develop into elite pitchers if you gave them a bit more time. Don't know if it was body language or what, but I got the sense that Niese got frustrated with his teammates and Matz got frustrated with himself. So for Matz, my thought is "good luck". With Niese, it was more "good riddance".

batmagadanleadoff Jan 29 2021 07:24 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I took another look at Matz's numbers from his 2015 debut season because I remembered him as being terrific his rookie year and that terrific-ness is what maintained my patience with him for just about his entire Mets tenure up until sometime last season. And I noticed that he only started six games in 2015, pitching about 35 innings. In fact, I think he was injured even in his rookie year, missing like three or four starts. So all this confidence in Matz over such a small sample size. Maybe he was never that good and simply capitalized on his opponents' initial lack of familiarity with Matz. Who knows?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 29 2021 07:31 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I think my enduring memories of Matz will be the great debut against the Reds in 2015, his frequent injuries, and how awful he was in 2020. And that he kinda looks like Joe DiMaggio.

TransMonk Jan 29 2021 07:36 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=55110 time=1611930285 user_id=68] I took another look at Matz's numbers from his 2015 debut season because I remembered him as being terrific his rookie year and that terrific-ness is what maintained my patience with him for just about his entire Mets tenure up until sometime last season. And I noticed that he only started six games in 2015, pitching about 35 innings. In fact, I think he was injured even in his rookie year, missing like three or four starts. So all this confidence in Matz over such a small sample size. Maybe he was never that good and simply capitalized on his opponents' initial lack of familiarity with Matz. Who knows?

I agree with this. I remember having a sense of euphoria with the whole team in Aug/Sep of 2015 and Matz's success was rolled up into that.



He also won Rookie of the Month in May of 2016 (5 G, 4-0, 1.31 ERA, 31 SO) which extended my belief that 2015 wasn't a fluke. But then things never got back to those points.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jan 29 2021 08:26 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Matz was always chasing really one encouraging beer with a shot of rotgut whiskey. Top drafted local kid in 2009! ---> needs Tommy John and doesn't debut professionally for 3 years ---> Wait pays off with stunning 2015 debut! ---> Injured weeks later ---> Healthy to start 2016 season and #9 ranked prospect in the game! ---> Coughs up 7 ERs in 1.2 innings to the goddamned Marlins in '16 debut ---> Rookie of the Month in May 2016 (4-0, 1.31)! ---> 2-7 till August injury ends season leaving team without starting pitching depth and a disappointing Wild Card 1-and-done ---> Finally returns in June 2017 and dominates Braves in debut! ---> 2-7, 6.08 by August when another injury shut him down for the year ---> Answers the bell for 2018!--->Makes 30 starts!--->Wins only 5 of them ---> Ready to go again in 2019! ---> Team wins 7 of his first 10 starts! --->Loses 7 of his next 10 --> Shuts out Pittsburgh in a complete game, 99-pitch 5-hitter July 27! ---> Same club knocks him out of the box in the 4th inning of his next start --->Not traded when Stroman acquired! ---> stumbles to the finish line losing key September starts --->career high 32 starts! ---> 11-10, 4.21 2020 Mets are so pitching-rich they might not even need Matz!! --->But they do because everyone's hurt or has COVID ---> Masterful N/D debut shuts down Braves on day 2! ---> Next 4 starts all among the worst in his career --> Bullpen debut a success vs. Yankees!! --->Rocked in return to rotation---> 0-5, 9.68 on year! ---> Generates 3 prospects in trade!

batmagadanleadoff Jan 29 2021 08:33 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 29 2021 01:40 PM

=TransMonk post_id=55112 time=1611930966 user_id=71] =batmagadanleadoff post_id=55110 time=1611930285 user_id=68] I took another look at Matz's numbers from his 2015 debut season because I remembered him as being terrific his rookie year and that terrific-ness is what maintained my patience with him for just about his entire Mets tenure up until sometime last season. And I noticed that he only started six games in 2015, pitching about 35 innings. In fact, I think he was injured even in his rookie year, missing like three or four starts. So all this confidence in Matz over such a small sample size. Maybe he was never that good and simply capitalized on his opponents' initial lack of familiarity with Matz. Who knows?

I agree with this. I remember having a sense of euphoria with the whole team in Aug/Sep of 2015 and Matz's success was rolled up into that.



He also won Rookie of the Month in May of 2016 (5 G, 4-0, 1.31 ERA, 31 SO) which extended my belief that 2015 wasn't a fluke. But then things never got back to those points.


It'd be pretty easy to confirm whether my spitballin' theory has any merit. Not me, but the insiders, the coaches and staff would know. If Matz more or less has the same stuff now that he did in 2015, then he got lucky in his rookie year -- with all of his good starts coming in a bunch -- like rolling a pair of dice and it coming up seven eight out of ten times. But if he no longer has the same stuff he had in 2015, then you can probably blame his decline on injuries piling up and taking their toll.

Edgy MD Jan 29 2021 08:46 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Matz was always chasing really one encouraging beer with a shot of rotgut whiskey. Top drafted local kid in 2009! ---> needs Tommy John and doesn't debut professionally for 3 years ---> Wait pays off with stunning 2015 debut! ---> Injured weeks later ---> Healthy to start 2016 season and #9 ranked prospect in the game! ---> Coughs up 7 ERs in 1.2 innings to the goddamned Marlins in '16 debut ---> Rookie of the Month in May 2016 (4-0, 1.31)! ---> 2-7 till August injury ends season leaving team without starting pitching depth and a disappointing Wild Card 1-and-done ---> Finally returns in June 2017 and dominates Braves in debut! ---> 2-7, 6.08 by August when another injury shut him down for the year ---> Answers the bell for 2018!--->Makes 30 starts!--->Wins only 5 of them ---> Ready to go again in 2019! ---> Team wins 7 of his first 10 starts! --->Loses 7 of his next 10 --> Shuts out Pittsburgh in a complete game, 99-pitch 5-hitter July 27! ---> Same club knocks him out of the box in the 4th inning of his next start --->Not traded when Stroman acquired! ---> stumbles to the finish line losing key September starts --->career high 32 starts! ---> 11-10, 4.21 2020 Mets are so pitching-rich they might not even need Matz!! --->But they do because everyone's hurt or has COVID ---> Masterful N/D debut shuts down Braves on day 2! ---> Next 4 starts all among the worst in his career --> Bullpen debut a success vs. Yankees!! --->Rocked in return to rotation---> 0-5, 9.68 on year! ---> Generates 3 prospects in trade! ---> Prospects implicated in plot to bomb Michelin plant!

MFS62 Jan 29 2021 09:16 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Edgy MD wrote: ---> Prospects implicated in plot to bomb Michelin plant! I dunno. He threw lots of pitches that ended up being bombs. Later

bmfc1 Nov 18 2021 06:18 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Uh... remember Matz? [TWEET]https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1461495768196558849[/TWEET]

kcmets Nov 18 2021 06:40 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Gosh, no

kcmets Nov 18 2021 06:41 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

And where do these things come from anyways, they don't have a 'front office' in place yet.

Edgy MD Nov 18 2021 07:36 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I'm sure somebody was around to give Hey-Hey a list of how the Mets are lining up the available pitchers. And seeing as the regime isn't yet assembled, there's no point in eliminating anybody from consideration yet. That's a far cry from insinuating that he's a priority, as He-man kinda seems to want to do, without actually doing it. I'm sure the Mets have at least some interest in a lot of things that will never come to pass, but hot stoves need their fuel.

kcmets Nov 18 2021 07:43 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I'm sure the Mets would be better off if they'd put their boats in a row.

The Hot Corner Nov 18 2021 08:20 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Pass. Matz has talent, but he was far too inconsistent and unreliable (oft injured). There are far better options available on the pitching market.

Fman99 Nov 18 2021 08:25 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

Sign him, give him $50 million. It's tit money to ol Rich Uncle Stevie anyway

Johnny Lunchbucket Nov 19 2021 08:49 AM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

I could see it. I just don't wanna see it

Frayed Knot Nov 19 2021 12:06 PM Re: Memories of Steven Matz

As a 5th/6th starter he might be alright. You just don't want one of those Wilponian moves where they pull back the curtain and declare that they've found their Syndergaard replacement.