D-backs’ Wilmer Flores receives standing ovation in return to Mets
Sep 9, 2019, 5:26 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm
New York Mets' catcher Wilson Ramos, left, watches as Arizona Diamondbacks' Wilmer Flores (41) tips his helmet to the crowd as Flores's name is announced during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in New York. Flores is a former Met. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Players like Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Wilmer Flores have a knack for holding a special spot in the place of fans’ hearts.
He won over the New York Mets almost from the jump. In 2015 at the age of 22 in his first full season playing in the big leagues, Flores cried when he was told mid-game he had been traded. He infamously then hit a walk-off homer later in that same game and was a fan favorite from there.
In six seasons playing for the Mets, Flores wouldn’t play at Citi Field as a member of another team until Monday.
Flores received a loud ovation from the crowd before his first at-bat.
Wilmer Flores, welcome back to Citi Field. pic.twitter.com/oXBpYOjyST
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 9, 2019
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Included in that special moment was Flores winking to his former teammate and opposing starting pitcher Jacob deGrom.
The cameras caught deGrom’s reaction, who is usually quite the stoic presence on the mound. But guys like Flores have a habit of bringing out a smile from someone.
Jake’s reaction (!!!!) pic.twitter.com/wMK6RoBOZc
— Shannon (@Miss_Met) September 9, 2019
While injuries have played a part in Flores’ 2019 only amounting to 75 games played prior to Monday’s action, he’s had a career year at the plate in Arizona, hitting .319 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs.
He showed that in the fifth inning, homering off deGrom for his eighth of the year.
Welcome home, Wilmer! Flores sends one deep, 2-1. #RattleOn pic.twitter.com/yxTNq1qiQY
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 10, 2019
Flores received some polite applause from some Mets fans.
