Capital Region Mets Fans Hop To See Scherzer In Binghamton

The texts began on Monday when it was announced by the New York Mets that their All Star pitcher Max Scherzer would be pitching a rehab start in Binghamton for their Double-A affiliate, the Rumble Ponies. My Mets fans friends were taking an interest poll of making the two-hour journey. Due to work obligations I, along with my friends, were out. Then came the text on Tuesday from my 21 year-old son a little after 5pm. "I won't be home for dinner." I had little doubt of where he was going.

My son along with scores of other New York Mets fans from around the Capital Region, hopped on I-88 and made the 2 hour and 10 minute ride to Mirabato Stadium to see Max Scherzer make his first rehabilitation start. The right-hander has been sidelined since he suffered the left oblique he strain on May 19th and took himself out of the game vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Scherzer delighted the crowd of 7,491 by pitching 3.1 innings giving up 2 earned runs will striking out 6. My son's scouting report was that the $43 million dollar pitcher threw mostly fastballs in his 65 pitch outing. Andrew felt that he had "good movement" on his pitches and blew away a few of the Reading Fightin' Phils pretty easily. Scherzer's last pitch went for a home run by Jhailyn Ortiz. I am sure Ortiz will not forget that one!

In the 3rd inning, Mets fans were treated to a home run blast by star prospect for New York, Francisco Álvarez. The 20 year-old catching prospect is on fire this year, having crushed 16 homers while knocking in 44 RBI's. Maybe that's why James McCann, the New York Mets starting catcher also on a rehab assignment in Binghamton on Tuesday, was readily booed by the Rumble Ponies faithful when he struck-out.

Was Scherzer excited to get out there on the mound? “I want to get back out there so bad,” Scherzer told reporters at Binghamton following his rehab start for the Rumble Ponies. “You put in all this work, you see the team playing great baseball, you want to be out there and competing and winning with them. I want to be in the big leagues, not be a Rumble Pony.” Trust me, Steve Cohen wants Max in Queens, not Binghamton but it was fun while it lasted.

Whether Max Scherzer is pitching or not, the Rumble Ponies are a fun time for a cheap ticket price. The team is chocked with future Mets prospects like Álverez and future wizard-infielder Ronnie Mauricio. Andrew sat behind home plate for $13 and parking was free. You can't sit that close to see Max Scherzer for that price anywhere.