Do you remember when it became clear that the losing was over, and the New York Mets were going to buckle down and put a competitive team on the field? And did you know that it involved José Valverde?
Let me explain.
It was May 26, 2014. Memorial Day. At Citi Field, the Mets were playing the Pirates. Overall, the 2014 Mets bullpen was actually shockingly competent. Jenrry Mejia, Carlos Torres, Vic Black, Josh Edgin, Jeurys Familia, Buddy Carlyle, and Dana Eveland all put together quality seasons. But early on in the year, the Mets were leaning heavily on two veteran bullpen arms: Valverde and Kyle Farnsworth.