NEW YORK — Citifield Family Reunion
New York Mets Closer Edwin Diaz And his brother Cincinnati Reds rookie reliever Alexis DiazBefore Tuesday’s game between teams,, the lineup cards were exchanged at home plate.
Many family members were watching, and Edwin and Alexis had on split Mets/Reds shirts that depicted both brothers for the second night straight.
Edwin, his older brother, is having a dominating season. He has a 1.39 ERA and 26 saves. In 45 1/3 innings, he has 91 strikeouts. Alexis, 25, was drafted by the Reds from spring training. He is now 3-1 with a 1.94 ERA. Four saves were made in his first major league game.
Edwin, their father, stated that it was “unbelievable” during the second innings. “Kids started to play at five years old, six years old. Their dreams became a reality.
Dad claims that the idea for the split-shirts came from his mother. Kyle And Corey SeagerKyle also had similar split shirts made by, Seattle Mariners Corey’s Los Angeles Dodgers They played against one another when Kyle Seager and Edwin Diaz were co-workers in 2018.
“I said, ‘One day, I’m going to be like that,'” the elder Díaz said. “When Alexis arrived in the big leagues, I said that I would have that shirt too.
After the home plate exchange, the brothers took a photo of themselves with the umpires. Then they hugged again. The exchange was the second of the Diaz brothers exchanging lineup cards for the season. It was also done before the series opener in Cincinnati on July 4.
Buck Showalter, Mets manager, said Monday night that it was a “great moment for their families.” “Can you imagine their pride?”
David Bell, Reds manager was especially moved by the Diaz family reunion midseason. Bell is third-generation Big Leaguer. Mike, his late brother, was a Cincinnati Reds player while David was in the Mariners in 2000.
Bell said, “I think the best thing about it isn’t playing against each others. It’s actually crossing paths during a busy major-league schedule where you get fortunate and your teams play one another and you get time together.” On the field and all that is wonderful, but away at the ballpark, it’s great because you get to see your brother often, especially when you are major league baseball players.