“To sound the bugles”, the rite that drives Major League Baseball in the United States crazy

The sound of the trumpets echoes and the doors of the enclosure open to let in Edwin Diaz, the most dominant neighbor in Major League Baseball. Time to celebrate at Citi Field. From being the target of constant boos to being pointed out as a bad acquisition, the Puerto Rican right-hander is the sensational player in the Big Apple with the New York Mets, regularly recording thrilling saves.

During an extraordinary season, Díaz exerted overwhelming dominance over the batters, signing record statistics, with which the Mets took off at the head of the Eastern Division of the National League. And his name resonates in the debate for the Cy Young award.

“The way he transformed and maximized what he can do was truly special”said Pete Alonso, the Mets slacker. “We are sure that every time Eddie takes the ball, he will close the door.”

In addition to his work on the mound, Diaz’s recent popularity in Queens is due to the catchy song he plays before his performances: Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet’s ‘Narco’.

“Play the trumpets!” This is the motto of Mets fans from their homes to the stands of Citi Field as the team takes the lead in the ninth inning.

The song sets off a two-minute revelry at every corner of the stadium. Mr. and Mrs. Met, the team’s mascots, pretend to blow trumpets as Diaz trots off the pitch and warms up on the mound. All dance with joy in the stands, clapping their hands and imitating mascots, using empty beer and water bottles as makeshift trumpets.

It evokes the movie “Major League”, with Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn, coming out of the bullpen to “throw fire” as the crowd goes wild.

In New York, most Mets fans stand up and vibrate with each pitch of a Diaz that often hits all three batters to secure another win.

It has become a fun and frequent scene in New York this season and went viral last weekend after the Puerto Rican landed three saves in a major series against Atlanta.

The only problem came on Thursday night, when he had to pitch earlier than usual in the eighth. Perhaps surprised by the promotions that were shown on the screens, the stadium staff did not play “Narco” until Diaz was already on the mound.

“I tried to run at the same beat as the song”he said jokingly.

Diaz used the same music with the Mariners years ago, although no one paid much attention to it.

“When I was in Seattle, they took it upon themselves to find a song for me. And I liked it. When I came here, I decided to change. My wife told me to play it again. People like it,” he said. Diaz.

He returned to “Narco” in 2020 with the Mets and it has been a success, to the point that he puts it at his home to entertain his children.

“It’s amazing. It was doing well in Seattle. This is amazing,” said Diaz’s father of the same name. “Every state will know that song”.

Owner of the affectionate nickname “Sugar”, the right has an ERA of 1.39 with 26 saves in 29 opportunities this year. He has a WHIP of 0.86 with 91 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings, being selected as the national team’s best reliever in June and July.

Combining his control with 100mph fast balls and 92mph sliders, Diaz has eliminated 52.9% of the 172 hitters he has faced this season _ the highest strikeout rate by a relief attendant in 45 appearances in history. of the Major Leagues. He averages 18.07 strikeouts every nine innings. No other reliever exceeds 16-9.

“I was able to be finer. My courts have worked better this year. Fastball control has improved a lot, even with the slider,” said Diaz, whose younger brother Alexis is a rookie. relief with Cincinnati.

“I work hard with the physical trainer, with everyone, to be fit every night, and the results show,” he added.

No rescuer has won a Cy Young since the Dodgers approached Eric Gagne in 2003 _ largely because the starters pitch far more innings, a key parameter for voters these days.

It is difficult to estimate whether Díaz’s dominance in his short outings will allow him to fight for votes against people like Sandy Alcántara, the Dominican ace of the Miami Marlins who is 10-4, leads the national team with an ERA of 1.88 and leads the majors with 158 1/3 innings. But the grip of the Mets has entered the discussion.

With AP information