Mets Morning News: Strawberry Fields Forever

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The Mets honored Darryl Strawberry by retiring his #18 before Saturday’s game against the Diamondbacks, as fans saluted him with “Dar-ryl! Dar-ryl!” chants prior to his speech. The less we say about the actual game, the better (they lost 10-5).

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, Daily News, NY Post, Newsday, MLB.com, ESPN

If you missed the ceremony, you can watch the video the Mets played during the celebration.

The Mets’ legend also shared a message to the fanbase.

Strawberry told the crowd, “I will always be a Met.”

The highlight of the game was Strawberry’s terrific speech, as he thanked everyone and showed appreciation for life following a health scare.

At one point, Strawberry wanted to quit professional baseball, until he formed a lifelong bond with the Mets.

Strawberry has righted past wrongs as his #18 returned to Queens, writes David Lennon.

John Harper praised the job Steve Cohen has done in celebrating Mets history at Citi Field, and thinks he will get the baseball part down right eventually.

Ex-Met Paul Sewald had an ugly exchange with a fan at Citi Field.

There is no quick fix for Steve Cohen and the Mets, writes Bill Madden.

Francisco Alvarez may join the Mets in London, as he is ahead of the pace on his rehab.

Kodai Senga, meanwhile, is still in the “light catch” phase as he works his way back.

Anthony Rieber reminisced about Mets who have thrown their glove in the stands in the past.

The Syracuse Mets provided an encouraging health update on Buffalo Bisons catcher Payton Henry after a scary injury that halted play on Friday night.

Around the National League East

The Phillies beat the Cardinals 6-1. It was a costly victory, as Ranger Suárez exited his start after taking a 106.1 mph line drive off his hand. The initial diagnosis was a left hand contusion.

The Phillies claimed pitcher Freddy Tarnok off waiver from Oakland.

The Braves lost 11-9 to the Athletics, as Chris Sale’s uncharacteristic start stalled Atlanta’s offensive momentum.

The Nationals fell 3-2 to the Guardians.

The Marlins were blanked 7-0 by the Rangers.

Around Major League Baseball

Joel Sherman examined some stars with opt outs in their contract after this season.

Julio Teheran opted out of his minor league contract with the Cubs.

The Padres have placed Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove on the 15-day IL.

Clayton Kershaw is well ahead of schedule in his rehab as he threw a simulated game.

The Pirates took care of the Blue Jays 8-1.

The Orioles bashed their way past the Rays 9-5. In that game, they mashed 1,646 ft worth of home runs.

The Red Sox doubled up the Tigers 6-3.

The Padres toppled the Royals 7-3.

The Astros beat the Twins by a 5-2 score.

Willy Adames contributed the game-tying knock in the seventh and game-winning hit in the tenth to lift the Brewers over the White Sox 4-3.

The Mariners shut out the Angels 9-0.

Aaron Judge did it again, launching a 464 ft homer to help the Yankees top the Giants again 7-3. With that Judge, is the only player in MLB history to hit 15+ homers, 12+ doubles, and walk 20+ times in a 25-game span.

The Dodgers picked up a 4-1 win over the Rockies, as Shohei Ohtani picked up his 100th career stolen base.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1994, the Mets drafted Paul Wilson, a can’t miss prospect who ended up missing and would forever live in infamy as part of Generation K.