Memories of Jeurys Familia

[G-Fafif]

The Mets have had 20 clinching games in their history: nine to clinch playoff spots, four to clinch LDSes, five to clinch LCSes and two to clinch World Series.

Jeurys Familia threw the final pitch to clinch four of them, more than any other Met pitcher.

His first name was always an adventure.

In addition to being frontrunner for the RH RP on the Mets 60th Anniversary Team, he was a heckuva setup man to Jenrry Mejia. Moved up and mostly got it done.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I liked young Familia, when he was big boned but not yet fat, prior to his drinking. When it was clear he was better than Mejia but hadn't yet overtaken him.

Zvon made a great baseball card with him leaping, legs splayed, in 15.

Best 27 in team history by a good margin I think.

[smg58]

A groundball pitcher who didn't always get rewarded by his defense. He took the rap for WS blown saves that were actually the fault of the infield. He didn't fare any better in that regard this year.

He's much better than his numbers.

[Guest 41Forever]

Was supposed to be the set-up man who stepped in and never looked back. Wouldn't mind bringing him back.

[batmagadanleadoff]

He was one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four seasons ... probably the best in 2015, when he was ASG snubbed. Made the ASG next year when his own manager was making the selections ... figured he woulda gotten in that game what with Collins ... ah, never mind ... along with those high profile clinchers, gave up a few never to be forgotten post season soul crushing HRs.

Probably the Mets best all time righty reliever, like FAFIF implies. Anybody better?

[TransMonk]

He was nearly automatic in 2015...a big reason for the team’s ability to tread water when they couldn’t score runs in May through July.

I wish I could forget some of the playoff woes.

[Centerfield]

Admittedly have not looked at the numbers so I may be reaching here, but I can’t think of a better reliever in team history.

Best I ever saw anyway.

Let’s sign him this winter.

[Lefty Specialist]

Dunno, I'm not as big a fan as some others. Got the yips at some inopportune times. Using him three days in a row or for a second inning often portended disaster. Agreed that the Mets defense didn't help him out but sometimes you've got to pick up that defense.

[Centerfield]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Dunno, I'm not as big a fan as some others. Got the yips at some inopportune times. Using him three days in a row or for a second inning often portended disaster. Agreed that the Mets defense didn't help him out but sometimes you've got to pick up that defense.

Point taken. I think it’s hard to be a fan of relievers, especially closers, in general.

All I know is when we were on the verge of beating Greinke and Utley in Game 5, I remember thinking there is literally no other relief pitcher in Mets history I’d want pitching here.

[MFS62]

To bad we have witnessed an almost automatic relief pitcher for the team across town. That's why he will go into the Hall of Fame. He was the exception. Maybe that's why Jeurys sometimes didn't get his due. He was human.
For an overall career, Familia is the guy I'd want coming out of the bullpen for the Mets.

Later

[Fman99]

Gave me so much agita as a fan -- seemed like half the time he was trying to aim a 99 MPH fastball when he could have shaved a few ticks off and been totally dominant.

The Familia we saw the last three weeks was the one I enjoyed. When he is on there are few nastier. Good luck to ye.

[Edgy MD]

When he had his splitter and slider working at the same time, he was untouchable, but he seemed shy about continuing to use the splitter.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: When he had his splitter and slider working at the same time, he was untouchable, but he seemed shy about continuing to use the splitter.

You have to wonder if it caused discomfort for him or something, because it was nasty.

[seawolf17]

I would also love to have him back this offseason. A good dude by all accounts.

Closing is tough -- people will always remember the blowups and not the 1-2-3 innings -- but I was usually very confident in him to get the job done.