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Adoped: Joseph Serfass

Edgy DC Aug 08 2005 10:05 AM

Joe brings it in the NCAA Division III championship. Now that I've located a healthy Wayne Ough and established that he is not coming home, I've decided to move on and give my love where it is needed and hopefully will be welcomed. I know little about young Joseph, but we decided to take it slow —together. 1. Born in Hartford, he was a free Agent Signee in 2004 out of East Connecticut State University. where he pitched and won the Division 3 Championship Game. 2. His name is very punnable. Look for future headlines like SERFASS AREA and SERFASS TENSION. 3. The presence of “ass” in his name has not traumatized him so much that he can’t still build a future for himself. 4. The way they work pitchers in Hagerstown, if he earns a save, it’s a save — as pitch limits at that level can lead to relievers coming on and pitching the last three or four innings of a win. Joseph has been providing that level of relief. 5. His numbers will blow your freaking minds. I'd be proud if I could claim he did it on my watch. He did not, alas. But hopefully we will share some real moments in the future Team From To W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO Kingsport Mets 06/21 07/08 1 0 0.00 7 0 0 0 3 12.2 6 2 0 0 1 10 Hagerstown Suns 07/08 08/07 0 0 0.73 8 0 0 0 3 24.2 19 2 2 1 3 17 Totals 06/21 08/07 1 0 0.48 15 0 0 0 6 37.1 25 4 2 1 4 27 Here's a campus newspaper article about Joseph signing with the Mets. He probably wrote it himself. Highlights are bolded for you with little time to do more than skim. Serfass Signs Professional Baseball Contract with Mets Wednesday, June 16, 2004 WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Two-time All-America pitcher Joey Serfass (NEWINGTON) has signed a free agent baseball contract with the New York Mets organization. The 6-foot-3 inch, 205 pound right-hander reached a verbal agreement with Mets' regional scout Greg Morhardt of South Windsor, CT today and left Thursday morning for the organization's Rookie League affiliate at St. Lucie, FL in the Gulf Coast League. Serfass, 23, was not drafted in this month's First-Year Player Draft but was contacted by Morhardt by phone Wednesday. "As soon as he said 'this is Greg Morhardt', I knew what it was about," said Serfass. "My body just collapsed. I couldn't believe it." Until hearing from the Mets, Serfass was set to sign an independent contract with the Joliet (IL) Jackhammers of the Northern League. He planned on driving to Joliet Thursday to join the team, whose season began three weeks ago. Serfass said that he followed the professional baseball amateur draft on the internet earlier this month, but was not overly optimistic that his number would be called. Rather, he was expecting former teammate Dwight Wildman's name to be selected in the draft (it was not). "I really wasn't sure if I would be drafted or not," admitted Serfass. "I didn't really know what would happen. I thought that having had three arm operations and not throwing 90 miles an hour might be a (negative) factor." Since helping the Warriors to a second-place finish at the NCAA Division III national baseball tournament which concluded June 1, Serfass had pitched one game for Meriden in the Greater Hartford Twilight League. Eastern head coach Bill Holowaty was thrilled for Serfass, who won 34 of 38 decisions with seven saves in his four-year Eastern career, with a 1.64 ERA in 302.6 innings. "I think that Joey will move up the ladder with the Mets," predicted Holowaty of Serfass, who will become the second Eastern player to sign with the Mets, following Dennis Glynn in 1983. "Scouts look for three things in a pitcher — velocity, location and movement — and Joey has two of those things." Serfass will be the 27th player to sign with a major league organization under Holowaty and will join Scott Chiasson (Chicago Cubs) and Nick Tempesta (Philadelphia Phillies) among active players. Serfass led Eastern to New England Regional Tournament titles and national tournament finishes of first, third and second in each of his final three years. He won the 2002 national title game with a complete-game shutout of Marietta and was named second-team All-America as both a junior and senior. He was named New England and Little East Conference Pitcher-of-the-Year in 2003. Serfass is ranked among the all-time leaders in most every category at Eastern. He is third in wins, fourth in ERA and shutouts (5), tied for fourth in complete games (14) and sixth in strikeouts (219). His winning percentage of 89.5 is the best among the program's ten 20-game winners. During his career, he won 22 straight games. This past year, Serfass was 10-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 93.3 innings. He fanned 80 and walked 11 and led the Warriors to a record of 43-11 and a No. 1 national ranking.

Elster88 Aug 08 2005 01:03 PM

I know several people who played for Eastern over the past five years. I'll ask around about his study habits, in case he's hiding anything from his new stepfather.

Willets Point Aug 08 2005 01:34 PM

The serfass was the lowest of the low among the ranks in feudal society. Nice to see the serfass' descendent working his way up in our democracy.

Edgy DC Mar 17 2006 08:11 AM

Mine.

Edgy DC Apr 14 2006 10:22 PM

Did we ever get any scoops from his classmates, because Joe is repeating a level and has a 7.71 ERA. Cut the crap, Joe!

Edgy DC May 01 2006 10:44 AM

Getting left back is for other families' children, not ours. Promote Joseph and his awesome WHIP NOW!!!! Player W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WHIP HLD GF Joseph Serfass 0 1 3.38 6 0 0 0 1 16.0 13 8 6 3 1 2 10 0.94 0 1 By the way, one of youse without an adoptee, get a clue and gobble up Fernando Martinez.

Frayed Knot May 01 2006 11:29 AM

If your boy here reaches the majors and plunks a certain SF Giant reliever with a fastball can we say that it was a case of a Serfass to Eyre missle?

MFS62 May 02 2006 08:06 AM

FK, Clever, but I don't know whether to laugh or groan. Later

Edgy DC May 18 2006 08:33 AM

Serfass has climbed another step on the social ladder. His last words in H-Town were "Low A is fo' suckas, yo." Team From To W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO Hagerstown Suns 04/06 05/07 0 1 3.05 8 0 0 0 1 20.2 15 9 7 3 3 13 St. Lucie Mets 05/09 05/17 0 0 2.45 2 0 0 0 0 3.2 7 1 1 0 1 3

Edgy DC Jul 09 2006 09:51 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 28 2006 07:42 AM

When Gary Carter's St. Lucie Mets won the first-half title of the Florida State League, Mr. Serfass took home the win for Gary Carter's troops with 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Salvador Aguilar. Somebody should probably adopt Gary Carter, who, despite the idea that his squeaky cleanness keeps him from relating to more worldly types, is surprisingly looking like quite a managerial prospect. He just managed the US team to a victory in the Futures Game, with Matt Lindstrom (Mets) pitching a scoreless final inning, earning the save, and recording the final out on a 100-mph fastball that produced a fly ball to left. http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060709&content_id=1549242&vkey=allstar2006&fext=.jsp Meantime, Joe Serfass, ladies and gentlemen. Team From To W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO Hagerstown Suns 04/06 05/07 0 1 3.05 8 0 0 0 1 20.2 15 9 7 3 3 13 St. Lucie Mets 05/09 07/06 1 2 1.66 12 0 0 0 0 21.2 18 4 4 2 1 16 For $10, I'll let him touch your baby.

Edgy DC Aug 19 2006 11:57 PM

It's getting stoopit. Promote the man and stop making him throw to boys. Team W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO Hagerstown Suns 0 1 3.05 8 0 0 0 1 20.2 15 9 7 3 3 13 St. Lucie Mets 1 2 1.91 21 0 0 0 0 37.2 30 8 8 4 7 31

Edgy DC Aug 28 2006 09:05 AM

Junkdealing Joe Serfass needs to get on the fast track NOW. Mets' Serfass finding success in bullpen By BILL WHITEHEAD correspondent August 1, 2006 PORT ST. LUCIE — If one player in the St. Lucie Mets' clubhouse is an example of rebounding from a potential career-ending injury, it is pitcher Joe Serfass. The 25-year-old reliever had Tommy John elbow surgery during his freshman season at Eastern Connecticut State University in April of 2000. He said the operation — no matter how long ago it occurred — creates a kinship between hurlers, including the few on the St. Lucie pitching staff who have had the procedure. "Actually, we were talking about it in the outfield the other day while we were shagging balls. Travis Hope and another reliever had it, and we talked about the doctors who did it and look at each other's scars," Serfass said. Serfass battled back from the operation and worked as a starter the rest of his college career but was moved to the bullpen by the Mets after signing as a nondrafted free agent. And it is a move that has paid dividends for the organization. The tall right-hander has a fastball that tops out at just 85 mph, so he relies on crafty pitching to baffle opposing hitters. Instead of blowing the ball by them, Serfass sinks his pitches in and out, letting the defense do the work. Through the weekend, he was 1-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 32 innings pitched. Opposing batters were hitting just .221 against him, and he had fanned 25 while walking three. "I'm pretty tough on myself and expect not to give up a run every time I go out there. I'm happy with the numbers so far," he said. "And the arm feels good. Knock on wood, I've been healthy my whole pro career so far." HAPPY HAMMY: Former St. Lucie hurler Brian Bannister, who is on a rehabilitation assignment with the New York Mets, has recuperated from the injured hamstring he hurt early this season while running the bases in San Francisco. He tossed five solid innings and gave up two earned runs at Lakeland on Wednesday. Bannister, who was the subject of trade rumors but stayed with the Mets system Monday, was 5-7 with a 4.32 ERA for St. Lucie in 2004. The right-hander has also lost 12 pounds during his rehabilitation stint. EXTRA BIG EXTRA INNING: After losing the first game of a doubleheader Friday at Lakeland, the Mets found themselves tied with the Tigers after seven innings in the nightcap. Doubleheader games last only seven innings, meaning the team was headed to extra innings. In the eighth, St. Lucie poured it on, scoring seven runs to defeat Lakeland 9-2. THE JOE SERFASS FILE Age: 25 Hometown: Newington, Conn. Position: Pitcher What do you miss most about the Northeast? "I would say my family. They're really big supporters and do come down a lot to visit when they can. They were supportive of me when I was pitching back home." Who did you follow growing up, the Mets, Yankees or Red Sox? "Connecticut's kind of split in half. There are a few Mets fans, but it's mostly Red Sox and Yankees. I grew up a Red Sox fan." What was the best moment of your baseball career? "A scout called me after the draft and signed me. It was pretty exciting getting that phone call. It set the stage for what's happened to me so far."

Johnny Dickshot Aug 28 2006 09:08 AM

You oughta teach that kid the knuckler. Or the Mets should. They should encourage some knuckling experimentation at least. We haven't had one since Todd Zeile.

Edgy DC Aug 28 2006 09:10 AM

I'll talk to him when he starts running into advesity. Hasn't happened yet.

Edgy DC Aug 28 2006 10:37 AM

This recent come-from-behind special featured all adoptees pitching for the St. Lucie Mets: METS MAKE UNBELIEVABLE COMEBACK; WIN 7-6 The Brevard County Manatees looked to take the win, as they held a steady four-run lead throughout the game, but the St. Lucie Mets started things cooking in the bottom of the sixth inning, raking in four runs to tie up the ballgame. The winning run came in the following inning when a wild pick off to first allowed Caleb Stewart to score, landing the Mets the 7-6 victory. The Mets got off to a slow start at the plate, but were able to quickly pick up the pace as they scored runs in four consecutive innings, picking up four runs alone in the sixth. Mike Carp and Caleb Stewart each picked up a double, Tony Piazza launched a solo homerun, and Jose Coronado, J.E. Cruz, and Jonathan Malo collected a single a piece. The Mets started their pitching lineup with Robert Parnell, who threw for four innings and accumulated four strikeouts and two walks, while allowing three runs. Joe Serfass, Edgar Alfonzo, and Carlos Muniz teamed up to close out the game, allowing three runs, and two walks, while fanning three. Alfonzo recorded his fifth win of the season, bringing his tally to 5-6, and Muniz gathered his 29th save.

Johnny Dickshot Aug 28 2006 11:20 AM

I guess that means a promotion for Bobby. Wow!

Edgy DC May 29 2007 07:19 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on May 29 2007 08:29 AM

Two things: Joe Serfass rules. Somebody adopt Mark Kiger now. Serfass impresses B-Mets Middle reliever's finesse style leads to strong start By Brian Moritz Press & Sun-Bulletin BINGHAMTON -- During one month with the Binghamton Mets, Joe Serfass has picked up three wins and two nicknames. Manager Mako Oliveras calls the reliever The Iceman for his performance in close games. Catcher Mike Nickeas refers to him as Merlin for the way Serfass commands his pitches and gets guys out without overpowering stuff. "I'll take them both," Serfass said with a smile. Serfass, who joined the B-Mets on May 3, has emerged as one of the team's best middle relievers. He's 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA. Opposing hitters are batting just .163 off him. It was Serfass who was pitching when the B-Mets turned their triple play against Connecticut on Wednesday. Serfass played at Eastern Connecticut State, where he was named the Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2003 and set an NCAA Division III record by throwing 52 2/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. He's had his success by throwing primarily a sinker, which tops out at about 86 miles an hour. He also throws an effective slider and changeup. "I'll be the first to admit I don't have a 90 mile-an-hour fastball," Serfass said. "I just try to go out there and get guys out. I'm not going to get a lot of strikeouts, but I try to get a lot of ground balls and double plays ... or triple plays." Serfass' control-first style works to his advantage. After seeing primarily power pitchers, it's a big adjustment for opposing hitters to face him. "It's amazing to see what he's doing," Nickeas said. "He's throwing pitches that are right over the black (the outside edge of home plate). Guys area breaking bats left and right off a guy throwing 80 miles an hour, which is pretty amazing." AROUND THE HORN Before winning the final two games of the series, New Hampshire had lost 13 consecutive games at NYSEG Stadium, dating back to the 2005 season. ... Mark Kiger went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. He has now reached base in 42 of 44 games in which he's recorded a plate appearance ... B-Mets pitchers also allowed eight walks on May 2 in a 6-3 victory at New Britain.

Benjamin Grimm May 29 2007 07:45 AM

Maybe some day Iceman will replace Nightcrawler as the Mets closer.

Edgy DC Jun 02 2007 09:48 PM

I doubt they'll use him as a closer with his Gorfax speed, but they've got to stop ignoring his numbers. Homecoming For Newington's Serfass June 2, 2007 By TOM PULEO, Courant Staff Writer Newington's Joe Serfass grew up attending Rock Cats games with his father, George, and other family members. So when the former Eastern Connecticut All-American was signed by the Mets in 2004, he knew his journey through the minors could one day traverse New Britain. "My first goal when I signed a pro contract was to get to Double A, knowing that Binghamton is in the Eastern League and I'd have a chance to play at home," Serfass said. The 6-foot-3 righthander pitched two scoreless innings in Binghamton's 9-2 victory over the Rock Cats on Wednesday. About 50 friends and family members - including his father, mother Bev Nogas and wife Tara - stood and cheered while Serfass lowered his ERA to 1.69 in 16 innings over nine games. "To get in that game was a fantastic experience," Serfass said. "I grew up going to these games, so to come back here is special. I never realized that some day I might be playing here. I had a lot of support with all the family and friends. It was fun." Serfass - who saw future Twins All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter play for the Rock Cats - was not drafted out of Division III Eastern Connecticut. But a local Mets scout signed him as a free agent in June 2004. The Mets converted Serfass from starter to reliever and he hasn't looked back. Coming into this season, Serfass was 5-5 with a 1.94 ERA in three seasons. He split 2006 between low-Class A Hagerstown (Md.) and Class A St. Lucie (Fla). Serfass got the call to Binghamton on May 3 when the Mets were finishing a series with the Rock Cats. He arrived in time for the day's doubleheader but had to wait until Wednesday to take the mound at New Britain Stadium. "I love coming in during tight situations," he said. "I love to compete. When you come in late in the game, every pitch is important." Serfass is not listed among the Mets' top 30 prospects in Baseball America. But the former multi-sport athlete at Newington High gains confidence with each game. "I'm not an overpowering pitcher," he said. "So I come in and tell myself to throw strikes and keep the ball down, get ahead in the count, let my defense do the work. "Obviously my ultimate goal is to make the big leagues," he said. "I just want to keep climbing the ladder and hopefully fulfill my dream."