This Week in Mets Quotes: Piazza on making the Hall of Fame, Wainwright doesn’t have to wear pouty pants

Congratulations to Mike Piazza.

“We made it, Dad. The race is over.” -Mike Piazza [New York Times]

Oh, now is the time to win games.

"I don't know how many times I've got to say it: This is crunch time. This is the time we've got to win games." -Terry Collins [Mets]

It was bound to happen, but I’m sure Familia will bounce right back. [Note: He did not]

"No question about it, this is a tough one. This is a really tough one to take. When you come back on Adam Wainwright and have a chance to win the game, that's a pretty big night. And then to have your closer, who has been lights-out, give up two, yeah that's a little tougher to take." -Terry Collins [Mets]

Once again, well at least Adam Wainwright is happy.

"I was ready to bang my head into the wall here and crawl into a hole and die for a little bit there. I was pretty sad. But, you know what, baseball is funny. Right when you think it's your lowest moment of the year, all of a sudden the team wipes that away, and now I'm looking forward to my next start already. Instead of having a flight full of sorrow and pouty pants, now I'll have some good times with the boys." -Adam Wainwright [Mets]

He added, ‘as opposed to every other time when it’s on the offense.’

"I just think I wasn't very good today. Pretty much everything I threw seemed to go down the middle, and I paid for it. That one's on me." -Jacob deGrom on his lackluster start versus the Marlins [Mets]

Bartolo’s response to Terry asking him to come into work on Saturday.

“I told him that was fine with me.” –Bartolo Colon [New York Times]

Who provided that last season, Murphy I guess?

“He’s like a can of Red Bull bottled up into a human being. That’s something that we were lacking. You need that high level of energy.” –Logan Verrett [New York Post]

With a .278 OBP, people haven’t had to worry about him too much.

“You don’t have to sit back and wait for the home run. This guy produces runs. He gets on base. He gets in scoring position. I realize even though he’s fast, he’s probably a step slower than five years ago when he was here, but he’s still a great baserunner, and he creates havoc when he gets on the bases. People have to worry about him.” –Terry Collins [New York Post]

Personally, I’m still conflicted.

“I’ve never stopped working and never stopped believing in what I can do on the field if someone gives me the opportunity. I just feel very pleased and very happy that the New York Mets took that chance with me, and I’m gonna continue to get better.” -Jose Reyes [New York Post]

Early returns are actually pretty good.

“Getting some extra work in the cage and taking my BP [to] be ready to come in late in the game. We talked about taking a couple days mentally to hit restart and get back to work...Working on timing more than anything else — timing and rhythm and trying to get back to the big part of the field. Nothing mechanically is going on. I just need to be a little more consistent with my approach. … I’m feeling good. No issues.” -Neil Walker [New York Post]

Hopefully, ConForti quite works out better than FloreSS.

“College and practice [were the last times Conforto played center field]. There’s more ground to cover and you take priority over the other outfielders so being aggressive is the big thing. Especially for me not being a burner a guy who runs really fast but I feel confident I can get good jumps on balls, take the right routes in getting there.” -Michael Conforto [New York Post]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard the phrase ‘miss fat’ used before.

"I just didn't wanna miss fat. I didn't wanna make a mistake where he could extend his hands and hit the ball out of the ballpark with two runners on there." –Steven Matz [Mets]

Syndergaard had the apartment to himself while Conforto was sent to Las Vegas.

“We have a pretty nice setup, have fun and enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other. It’s a really good relationship we’ve established. It’s kind of hard to get comfortable and make a place feel like home…I think that’s really important for you to establish during the season. Just kind of fights the stress of traveling so much. I’m a big homebody. After a long road trip, I like to just hang out” -Noah Syndergaard [New York Times]

Just a reminder that baseball players are real people; after being demoted, Conforto packed 7 days worth of clothes…

“I had to do some laundry at the field.” -Michael Conforto [New York Times]

…and Syndergaard, who usually carpools with Conforto, had to drive Conforto’s car to Citi Field.

“It was a little nerve-racking for a couple days, but it was fun.” -Noah Syndergaard [New York Times]

But the BFFs have happily been reunited.

“It’s nice to have him back on the field and contributing to our success. We haven’t really had a chance to get back together in the apartment since he got called up.” -Noah Syndergaard [New York Times]

SiteBot FacePalm of the Week

“We really didn't need an article for this. We know [deGrom] sucked.” -BearsnBuds4

AA Quote of the Week

“Did we really start out the article with a straight inaccuracy? ‘With Travis d’Arnaud still not hitting.’ In the last month (since June 24) he’s hitting .308/.343/.431, good for a wRC+ of 112. Pray tell, how is that "still not hitting?" -bjk3047