Memories of Kirk Nieuwenhuis

[Edgy MD]

Claimed on waivers by the Brewers.

JUST when he finally got a few ounces of job security, he had to go and act like it by growing a big, stupid beard.

[fimg=500:1gnay8u1]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/kirk-nieuwenhuis.jpg[/fimg:1gnay8u1]

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Damn. I hate the Brewers.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I guess we un-40ed him so as to add De Aza?

The man saved Father's Day. Also, Lunchpail was a fan. He made me proud to be a dad.

[Centerfield]

Big, BIG HR in that Washington series in September.

[Guest d'Kong76]

True Met, gone... for De Aza.

[Edgy MD]

Not sure how Johnny F. Monell gets a DFA and Kirk gets an instant waive, but these things are complicated and secretive.

[Guest themetfairy]

We had him, we lost him, and we got him back.

I remember how he hit three home runs in July while MK was in Italy. I was sure that MK would think I was shitting him when I sent him a message that Kirk hit three home runs in one game.

It took me forever to learn how to spell Nieuwenhuis.

But mostly I'll remember how during a game in Washington in August 2014 I was taking a picture of Kirk during a break in the action while he was on first base. He saw my camera and flashed me this great smile; I'll always love him for that.

[MFS62]

My name for him was the Dutch Treat, because he made the other team pay.
I'm still not sure how to spell his name but it never mattered. I liked him and now wish him well (except when he plays against the Mets)


Later

[RealityChuck]

Edgy MD wrote: Not sure how Johnny F. Monell gets a DFA and Kirk gets an instant waive, but these things are complicated and secretive.

Not all that complicated. Both were DFAed (i.e., removed from the 40-man roster), but Kirk was claimed while Monell was not.

[Edgy MD]

I mean that what goes into the decision is complicated.

DFA is not necessarily an immediate removal from the roster to the waiver wire. It frequently means that you go into a holding pattern for up to three days while the team shops you around the league. And then, if a trade hasn't materialized (or a new spot opened on the roster), then you go through waivers. This is exactly how it went down when Nieuwenhuis was DFA'd at midseason, but sold to the Angels, rather than going through waivers.

The fact that Nieuwenhuis was claimed almost immediately after the de Aza signing suggests he was never DFA'd, but instead put on the waiver wire immediately.

[G-Fafif]

His big albeit isolated moments from 2013 and 2015 stand out, but it should be recalled the 2012 version of Nieuwenhuis was a modern-day peepul's cherce. He was called up the second day of the season, after Andres Torres hurt himself on Opening Day, and it seemed like a Pipp for Gehrig swap on a very small scale. Kirk hit right away, fielded a lot and was part of the sort of historic All Homegrown Lineup that April. Delivered the game-winning hit off erstwhile homegrown Met Heath Bell in the epic 46-pitch ninth, finishing off a sweep of the Marlins in Jose-Jose's return to Citi Field. In the same series, Nieuwy robbed Reyes of at least an extra-base hit, possibly a homer, in the erstwhile homegrown shortstop's first plate appearance.

Kirk was so out-of-the-box popular that once he was sent to Buffalo, the team stores were loaded with unsold NIEUWENHUIS 9 product that would not move.

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Frayed Knot]

Kirk was talented, athletic, good-looking, home-grown and had the potential to be a very popular NY Met.
All he lacked was the ability to be, y'know, good at baseball.

[MFS62]

Kirk out.

Later

[Edgy MD]

Nieuwie was a Christmas elf at the Mets recent holiday party.

Probably a good idea for Mets players to stay the hell away from that thing.

[ashie62]

Lets just say playing baseball did not come naturally.

[Edgy MD]

I'm not going to say that.

[youtube:2ge95te7]glB8XzLDwp4[/youtube:2ge95te7]

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: Nieuwie was a Christmas elf at the Mets recent holiday party. Probably a good idea for Mets players to stay the hell away from that thing.

Yes, I saw an article a few days ago that mentioned that two other players who also played the elf were traded off right afterwards. One was Dickey. Don't remember the other one.

Later

[Edgy MD]

Benson.

[ashie62]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm not going to say that. [youtube]glB8XzLDwp4[/youtube]

He reminded of a bull in a china shop.

I will say he did have some iconic Mets moments.

[Theoldmole]

I always wanted him to,succeed. He was easy to root for.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Hey, did ja know he used to play high school football in Colorado? Well, you probably do, since Gary would remember it every time we played the Rockies, or he did something semi-physical.

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Sans beard, he had a beefy Thomas Jane look to him, didn't he?

[ashie62]

Edgy MD wrote: I mean that what goes into the decision is complicated. DFA is not necessarily an immediate removal from the roster to the waiver wire. It frequently means that you go into a holding pattern for up to three days while the team shops you around the league. And then, if a trade hasn't materialized (or a new spot opened on the roster), then you go through waivers. This is exactly how it went down when Nieuwenhuis was DFA'd at midseason, but sold to the Angels, rather than going through waivers. The fact that Nieuwenhuis was claimed almost immediately after the de Aza signing suggests he was never DFA'd, but instead put on the waiver wire immediately.

Chucks answer was fine.

You actually think about this stuff and be right 80,000 times? Really?

[Edgy MD]

I'm not sure what your complaint is. My answer was fine too.