Memories of Bartolo Colón

[A Boy Named Seo]

Man, where to start. I was at the San Diego game where he smashed the homer off James Shields, and took an hour and a half to round the bases. What a wonderful baseball moment I'll never forget.

Beloved mascot stuff aside, he was amazingly durable and reliable. I remember thinking I would've much rather had Scott Kazmir (who signed around the same time and about the same money, IIRC). Didn't think we would have needed Bart as much as we did, and was surprised at how much he rewarded us in return.

See ya, Big Sexy.

[Edgy MD]

Thanks for getting that accent mark in there.

My definitive memory of him is the unflappability. Giving up a homer and calmly and detachedy playing catch with himself as the batter rounded the bases. And not an intense detachedness either, but a peaceful almost joyous one. Like an Indian Buddha having achieved a transcendence his disciples around the field could only scratch their heads at.

It's strange that my fondest recollection of him is of him in defeat. But there it is. Because his utter freedom from the pain of that defeat is seemingly what made him so capable of victory.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I was a reluctant believer in Colon and never forgot those times during the 2015 season he'd unexpectedly give up 7+ ER in a start. I think it happened 3 or 4 times and would have bet it would have happened 5 or 6 times in 2016 but was pretty much wrong about that.

He certainly was enjoyable to watch when he was going good, like Livan Hernandez.

[Frayed Knot]

My mom's last favorite Met.

Back when we signed him to a two-year deal (Dec of '13) many of us were a bit skeptical (to put it nicely) about getting even one solid season out of him much less two. Turns out, we got three.
I even made a quiz out of his signing where I asked you to fish for those pitchers (20 of them since 1984) who made 25 or more starts at age 41 or older. He not only went on to be the 21st to reach that standard but also was one of just 13 to do so at least twice and one of eight to do it thrice or more, each time reaching not just the 25 start mark but also passing 30 (31, 31, 33).
Now the only 41+ age guys in that time frame with more 30+ start seasons are Phil Neikro (6) and Jamie Moyer (5)


Suxx that he's leaving (and going to a division rival) but, as mentioned in the other thread, I had a feeling this was going to come down to his choice above the team's. Reportedly that wins mark is important to him and his best chance of reaching it, or at least getting the chance to, wasn't going to be here.
So now we have to try our best to keep him from reaching it ... at least at our expense.




original quiz: http://archives.thecranepool.net/20600/f1_t20621.shtml

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Centerfield]

I will remember thinking he is a much better fielder than I ever knew. A terrific athlete, despite the body shape. I will remember how he taught all of our young pitchers and the joy with which he played the game.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Would he be Atlanta's Opening Day starter? At Citifield this year.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

I remember the game where he took a no-hitter pretty deep -- was it the eighth inning? -- and was thinking that the guy can do anything.

[RealityChuck]

The home run, obviously.

But what I most remember about Bartolo is the joy he showed in playing the game. He was out there to have fun, and let everyone know it.

[TransMonk]

I will Bart more than I miss most other departing players. A truly underrated part of the successes of the past three years.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

On the bright side, he's going to the Braves. We'll just get him back mid-season with Kelly Johnson.

[Guest themetfairy]

The home run was arguably the most joyous event in baseball history. So unexpected, so majestic, and so gleeful.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Departs as all-time leader in wins and strikeouts among Mets who wore No. 40.

[G-Fafif]

Before Game Four of the 2015 World Series, I was waiting to meet up friends in front of one of the office entrances down the first base line. While standing there, I saw Bartolo come into the lobby to take care of one of his families. He was in his baseball pants and undershirt (no jersey) visible through the glass door. His presence caused a commotion. One guy yelled, "HEYBIGSEXY!" Colon conducted his business, looked up briefly, waved nonchalantly and went back to distributing tickets or whatever it was he was doing. Then he was off to go be in the World Series some more.

I really admired that he worked to turn himself into a competent hitting pitcher. I couldn't get behind the giggles at the helmet flying off his first year. An automatic out was nothing to laugh at.

Replaced Matt Harvey for a year then stuck around. Had TJS not come up, he probably wouldn't have come here.

His departure means, pending other transactions, no current Met was born in the 1970s. Bart was the only one in 2016 after Uribe left and Cuddyer retired. It's not inconceivable that a 37 1/2-year-old will alight in 2017.

[Zvon]

The last Expo.

[fimg=300]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2553109.1457117000!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_750/sport-baseball.jpg[/fimg]

I'm really gonna miss him.

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[A Boy Named Seo]

That Willie Mays mashup is great.

[Centerfield]

A Boy Named Seo wrote: That Willie Mays mashup is great.

Seriously right? Just a gem Zvon!

[Zvon]

Thanks guyz.

Forgot about this one:

[seawolf17]

An all-time Met favorite for me.

The home run, the belly wiggle, the helmet falling off, the Gold Glove-level defense, everything. A joy to have around for as long as we did.

[Edgy MD]

Twenty-first all-time in wins by a Mets pitcher. Not bad for three seasons, all occurring after your 40th birthday.

[batmagadanleadoff]

.

Edited November 11, 2016 by Guest

[Zvon]

Awesome stuff Batmags!

Is this an effect on Bart? I like that look.

[fimg=400:zn7f2vit]https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5550/30806112622_743489a518_k.jpg[/fimg:zn7f2vit]

[MFS62]

RealityChuck wrote: The home run, obviously. But what I most remember about Bartolo is the joy he showed in playing the game. He was out there to have fun, and let everyone know it.

Yes to both.
I guess this means there may not be a Bartolo Colon lunch box giveaway day at Citi Field next year, unless they do it when the Braves come to town.
Later

[Lefty Specialist]

The home run and the way Gary Cohen's voice cracked like a teenager's, all while Ron was giggling.

But I think the behind-the-back flip summed him up. It was such a Bartolo moment and you couldn't imagine anyone else even attempting it, let alone pulling it off.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Colon was fun to watch because he truly seemed to enjoy what he was doing. You never knew what he might do in a game, but you knew that if you watch long enough, he would do something unexpected and memorable. The nonchalant, behind the back flip to first base was a perfect example of what made Colon so special. He was one of my favorite Mets to watch.

I wish him well in Atlanta.

[Fman99]

Jesus this depresses me. I'd hoped he'd be in a Mets uni until he hung it up.

I will remember the HR, and the behind the back flip, but mostly, just, watching a guy get by on control and guile and keeping his head screwed on straight.

[Edgy MD]

Good memories, thread, guys. Probably our best since the "Memories of Lou Klimchock" thread back when he went to Cleveland in 1966.

[Benjamin Grimm]

And if we were to have a "Memories of Bartolo Colon's Home Run" thread, I'd chime in about how the Mets emptied the dugout while Bartolo was rounding the bases. And when he entered the dugout, the team swarmed back in to greet him, led by a beaming Asdrubal Cabrera. I think that may have been the first glimmer of my eventual Asdrubalmania.

[ashie62]

The gif belly avatar and his smile.

[Edgy MD]

Highlight reel of Bartolo Colón's Met career, framed as a movie trailer. It's not really as clever as it thinks it is and is sort of made to sell his coming tenure with Atlanta, but you know, it's still a highlight reel of Bartolo Colón's Met career.

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