Mets Bo Bichette emotional as he makes his Blue Jays return with no regrets about exit
TORONTO — Bo Bichette’s eyes moistened as he struggled to find words Monday when asked about his expectations returning to the only home field he had known in the major leagues before this season.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.
“This is an opportunity for me to reflect on good times and just be grateful for everything,” the Mets third baseman said before his team faced the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.A key component of a team that reached Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Dodgers in the 11th inning, Bichette expected a warm homecoming.Such warmth has sometimes been lacking in his new environment — he started slowly with the Mets this season and even with a June surge took an underwhelming .254/.300/.388 slash line into play.It’s far less than what the Mets thought they were receiving when they bestowed a three-year contract worth $126 million on Bichette in January.That deal includes opt outs after the first two seasons.Bichette homered in Game 7 to put the Blue Jays ahead, but in a classic finale the Dodgers rallied to tie the game on Miguel Rojas’ ninth-inning homer before Will Smith’s blast in the 11th put the Dodgers ahead for good.Bichette admitted he’s replayed Game 7 in his head.
The Blue Jays haven’t won a World Series since winning back-to-back championships in 1992 and ’93.“You dream of getting to that situation and opportunity,” he said.“I am so grateful that we had that experience and got there.
I don’t know how many times I have replayed it, but it comes to mind every once in a while.”His chances of receiving another shot on this stage this season are almost completely obliterated.The Mets entered the day with losses in eight of their last nine games and fell to 35-49.
It’s a free fall that last week cost manager Carlos Mendoza his job.Under interim manager Andy Green, the team lost two of three ga...