During the 2020/2021 offseason, the Mets made an unprecedented move: they signed two players whose last name ends with -illar, Jonathan Villar and Kevin Pillar. While the names are pronounced differently (Vi-yar versus Pill-ar), the two bench pieces starters sometimes starters for the Mets have contributed a fair amount to their early success already.

Inspired by our own Maggie Wiggin on Twitter, we will declare an “-illar of the Day,” celebrating which player had a more productive (or less destructive) day for the Mets.

After 11 agonizing games on the IL for Villar, we are back, baby!

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Game 80: Mets at Yankees

Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

In Game 2 of the July 4th doubleheader, Villar was reinstated off the injured list and went 0-3 with three strikeouts. Pillar was also in the game, and went 0-2 before being double switched out. There’s no prize handed out for either performance.

-illar of the Day: The first female Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard.

Game 81: Brewers at Mets

Photo by LMPC via Getty Images

A new series, but the same lack of -illar production. At least the team won this game?

-illar of the Day: For neither having any eye at the plate for the past two games, both -illars more closely resembled Mr. Magoo than a productive baseball player. Therefore, we celebrate Mr. Magoo’s co-creator, Millard Kaufman.

Game 82: Brewers at Mets

Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

This may be the coldest spell for the -illars this season, with three straight games of zero offensive production. That said, during the walk off celebration, Villar, who did not play, was in the thick of it, being the first to rush Jeff McNeil. And so, with all due respect to our Thomas Henderson who declared neither the victor, I think we have to give it to Villar for his role in the glorious walk-off celebration.

-illar of the Day: Jonathan Villar

Game 83: Brewers at Mets

Another offensive dead-zone in the nightcap of the second of three doubleheaders in seven days, but hey, Jonathan drew a walk!

-illar of the Day: Jonathan Villar

Game 84: Pirates at Mets

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

After space walking through an offensive black hole since his return from the IL, Villar blew up on Friday night with a pair of home runs, one from each side of the plate. We’re streaking!

-illar of the Day: Jonathan Villar

Game 85: Pirates at Mets

Although the team lost the game, the -illars knocked in both runs the Mets scored, so that’s a tie!

-illar of the Day: Both!

Game 86: Pirates at Mets

Photo by Xavi Torrent/Redferns

We knew this streak was too good to be true, and so no tears were shed when it came to a close. The -illars left seven - seven - men on base, going hitless in six plate appearances.

-illar of the Day: Longtime Guided by Voices and Cobra Verde guitarist Doug Gillard

Game 87: Pirates at Mets

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Neither -illar did anything in this frustrating loss to the Pirates. That said, my brother and I were at the game, and he’s a huge Queen fan and was absolutely thrilled to learn that Pillar uses “Fat Bottomed Girls” as his walk up music. And so, I’m once again overruling game recapper Dave Capobianco and declaring this a Kevin victory, purely for personal enjoyment.

-illar of the Day: Kevin Pillar

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The Tally So Far:

Jonathan Villar: 27 wins, 5 ties

Kevin Pillar: 20 wins, 5 ties

Other -illars: 11

This was a rough week, with both -illars getting crowned winners for dubious reasons of my own selfish design. Hopefully the All-Star break allows both some time to rest up and rip it up in the second half of our very important -illar of the Day festivities.