Mets owner Steven Cohen issued a public apology to the Miami Marlins after Tuesday night’s game was postponed due to a waterlogged field. The rainy weather caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia had left the Mets’ infield in poor condition, despite the efforts of the grounds crew to dry and prepare it for play. The game was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader the following day, which affected Miami’s pitching plans and ignited frustration among team officials.
Steven Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, expressed his sincere apologies to the Marlins and their fans for the last-minute postponement of the game. Cohen acknowledged the significance of the series for the Marlins and assured that every effort was made to make the field playable. In his statement, Cohen conveyed that the Mets were aware of the importance of the series and the impact it could have on the playoff race.
The infield at Citi Field had not been sufficiently protected during the preceding weekend’s rainfall. Despite having the tarp on the field Tuesday afternoon, the removal revealed a soggy surface. Members of the Mets’ grounds crew worked tirelessly to dry and smooth the infield, but their efforts were in vain. The game was eventually officially postponed due to unplayable field conditions.
The Efforts to Play
Major League Baseball representatives held multiple meetings on the field with managers and general managers from both teams, assessing the situation as the game’s start time approached. The decision to postpone the game was made after careful consideration of the field conditions and the significance of the game for the Marlins. The Mets emphasized that they had done everything possible to ensure a playable field, indicating the challenges they faced with the unpredictable weather.
The Impact on the Marlins
The Marlins, who were half a game behind the Chicago Cubs in the playoff race, were visibly affected by the postponement. Braxton Garrett, one of their top pitchers, had been scheduled to start on Tuesday night but had to be pushed back to the following day. This adjustment disrupted Miami’s pitching plans for the remaining games of the regular season, potentially requiring Garrett to pitch on short rest if they wanted him to start the season finale.
Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker expressed his frustration, labeling the entire ordeal as a “giant mess up.” However, he commended Major League Baseball and Mets manager Buck Showalter for their efforts to get the game in despite the challenging circumstances. Schumaker chose to focus on the positive outcome of having his players better-rested for the upcoming games.
Game Rescheduled and Conditions Improved
The postponed game was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader the following day. Fortunately, the weather improved, and the first game of the doubleheader began on time under partly cloudy skies. Though some spots on the infield remained slightly wet, Schumaker acknowledged that the field conditions were much better than the previous day.
Mets manager Buck Showalter came to the defense of the team’s grounds crew, explaining that an extended tarp presence on the field could hinder grass growth. He emphasized the uncontrollable nature of the weather and expressed understanding for the frustration felt by the Marlins. Showalter reassured everyone that the situation was not intentional but an unfortunate reality of dealing with adverse weather conditions.
Moving On
Despite the frustrations and apologies surrounding the postponed game, the focus quickly shifted to the upcoming games and the closing stages of the playoff race. The Marlins and Mets each had their own challenges and goals to address as they aimed to end the season on a positive note.
The incident served as a reminder of the unpredictability of weather and its impact on the course of a baseball season. Despite the best efforts of the Mets and Major League Baseball to salvage the game, the weather conditions ultimately prevailed. It highlighted the challenges faced by teams in ensuring playable field conditions during adverse weather events.
The postponement of the Marlins-Mets game due to a waterlogged field created a major disruption in the playoff race. While Mets owner Steven Cohen issued an apology, both teams acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the weather and the challenges it presented. The focus quickly shifted to rescheduling the game and adjusting pitching plans, with hopes of finishing the regular season strong for both teams.
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