Memories of Kevin Kaczmarski

[Edgy MD]

Overlooked back in September was the announced retirement of 2015 draft choice Kevin Kaczmarski.



He was hitting .300+ for Las Vegas back 2018, and it earned him a brief look with the big team as a lefty pinch-hitter, despite his never having showed enough power for a corner outfielder.



The one time he reached base, in his second pinch-hitting appearance, was on a walk. He then tried to show the qualities that he hoped would get him a ticket to stay, taking off for second and being thrown out pretty easily by Pirates catcher Elias Diaz. His helmet flew off and there was some kind of resignation in the way he picked up his helmet and walked off. "I'm in the best shape of my life, putting together the best sustained run of hitting I've had as a pro," his body language seemed to say, "but I really don't belong here."



They were up 3-0 in the seventh at the time, and as much as you might have tried to chalk the caught-stealing off to experience, it totally sapped the the Mets' mojo, with the team going on to lose, 5-3, featuring Jeurys Familia's worst appearance of the year, giving up four earned runs without getting an out.



If you have any memories of Kevin Kaczmarski beyond that, well, I'd sure like to hear 'em.



http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Kevin+Kaczmarski+Pittsburgh+Pirates+vs+New+KVfspIzud42l.jpg>

[G-Fafif]

Kevin joined teammates in Toronto suspended by harness from the CN Tower, which is apparently a thing.



He, Rick Aguilera and I share a birthday.

[seawolf17]

I was so sure you made him up that I actually had to check baseball-reference to see if he actually played with us at any point. Then I had to check my autographed cards needs list, because I was still pretty confident he was fake, but sure enough, he's still on my list of guys I need. Huh.

[batmagadanleadoff]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49106229882_0f0c98e4a3_c.jpg>

[Edgy MD]

There you go. You can't get realer than a Typewriter Chewing Gum card from their LIFE magazine-themed set.

[Lefty Specialist]

It was like coming this close to your dreams... and then watch them brush past you like strangers in a crowd. You know, we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they're happening. Back then I thought, well, there'll be other days. I didn't realize that that was the only day.

[LWFS]

I remember that he was bald and wore #16, from seeing the picture at the top of this thread.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, I remember that the head was noted in the http://archives.thecranepool.net/27100/f14_t27135.shtmlIGT of that game, not without controversy.

[G-Fafif]

I wasn't imagining this.