Diamondbacks hand Bartolo Colon his first career walk in his 500th game

Aug 15, 2016, 8:35 PM | Updated: 10:56 pm

Stroll to first base big man. It'll never get bigger or sexier than this...#Mets #BartoloColon pic.twitter.com/BFYKDJxiwj
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) August 16, 2016

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon, at 42 years young, made front-page news with his first career home run in May, which helped him pass former Diamondbacks ace Randy Johnson as the oldest player in MLB history to tally his first dinger.

In Colon’s visit to Chase Field on Monday, history was made again.

Colon, who is now 43, recorded his first career walk in the fourth inning when a seven-pitch at-bat against D-backs pitcher Robbie Ray ended with a full count and, finally, a ball. Taking first base, Colon’s savvy eye would help advance Mets teammate Jose Reyes to second, setting him up to score on a Travis d’Arnaud RBI that pulled New York within 4-2.

The walk came in Colon’s 500th game and his 282nd plate appearance.

“That surprised me as well,” Colon said through translation after the game. “I don’t know why that pitcher didn’t strike me out. He could’ve. I couldn’t really do much more at that point. My wrist has been bothering me a little bit.”

That, too, was historic. It’s the most plate appearances for a player that didn’t include one walk.

Bartolo Colon fouled off a 96.4 MPH fastball with 2 strikes en route to his first career walk… Can't say he didn't earn it.

— Daren Willman (@darenw) August 16, 2016

Colon was busy early on, reaching on an error with his first at-bat. He would find his way to third but from there couldn’t reach home. He apparently is aware he didn’t have the speed to tag up and score on a pop-fly to center.

When does Bartolo Colon not walk

— uɐɯssnS ʇʇɐW (@suss2hyphens) August 16, 2016

There could have been more history in the making as the D-backs clung to their lead Monday.

Colon would have became the 18th pitcher in history to beat all 30 MLB teams with a win over Arizona, but the D-backs prevailed 10-6.

At age 43, after 19 seasons and 281 plate appearances, Bartolo Colon draws his first career walk. pic.twitter.com/rxoynjwSkA

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) August 16, 2016

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New York Mets' Bartolo Colon throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets' T.J. Rivera drops a grounder hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura for an error during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets' Jay Bruce throws his bat down in frustration as he flies out with runners on base during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura (2) dives safely back to first base as he knocks the baseball out of the glove of New York Mets' Wilmer Flores (4) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb connects for a run-scoring single against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets' Bartolo Colon pauses on the mound on his way to giving up three run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets' Travis d'Arnaud, left, scores a run ahead of the tag by Arizona Diamondbacks' Welington Castillo, right, during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets' Jose Reyes connects for a run-scoring single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura jumps but is unable to reach a single hit by New York Mets' Wilmer Flores during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon Drury (27) shakes hands with Paul Goldschmidt (44) after Drury scored a run against the New York Mets during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets pitcher Erik Goeddel, right, walks off the field with catcher Travis d'Arnaud, left, after the Arizona Diamondbacks scored two runs during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura watches the baseball just before connecting on a run-scoring double against the New York Mets during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Mets' Ty Kelly crashes into the wall as he tries in vain to catch up with a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks' Segura got a run-scoring double on the play. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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