Ex-New York Met Gives Up Chance At History For Teammate

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no player had ever gone 5 for 5 in a World Series game. So, when pinch hitter, Jace Peterson walked to the plate on Saturday night in Game 2 for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Texas Rangers, something was strange.

Get our free mobile app

Former New York Mets outfielder Tommy Pham, who was dealt to Arizona at the trade deadline, was 4 for 4 at the plate on Saturday night, going into the 9th inning. The Diamondbacks were leading the Texas Rangers 7-1. With nobody out and a runner on first, Pham would have the opportunity to put himself in the record books. He passed for a friend.

According to Jesse Rodgers of espn.com, prior to the inning, Pham went to Arizona manager Torey Lovullo,
"He came to me and he said, 'I need to you get my boy an AB . And I said, 'Are you sure? 100 percent sure?'" Pham was sure. He talking about reserve infielder Jace Peterson. Peterson had yet to appear in the World Series and only had one at-bat in the NLDS against the Los Angelas Dodgers. With a six-run Diamondbacks lead, this may have been Peterson's only opportunity and it wouldn't have happened without a selfless act.

Pham let personal and professional history step-aside for an opportunity for a friend. "He's that kind of guy," Peterson told espn.com. "He's a great teammate, a great player. He did an awesome thing that a friend would do. I really can't say enough about it." Pham's dedication and work-ethic can turn some teammates off. His continued criticism of the New York Mets clubhouse scene has not gone without consequence for his ex-manager and others. However, this was a generous and strategic move by Arizona manager Torey Lovullo, as well.

Most MLB managers, even with a six-run lead, would opt to put the better hitter up in that situation to ensure a Game 2 victory. However, Lovullo knows and believes in the importance of team chemistry. This act of complete selflessness by Pham and put into action by the 7th year manager could go a long way to hoisting that trophy at the end of the week. Sometimes, things are just simple, when presented in the right way. Why did Tommy Pham feel so compelled to let Jace Peterson have his at-bat? "We're boys. I wanted to do this for him." Sometimes, that's all there is to it. That is what sports should be about.