PHOENIX – Robert Gsellman has some suggestions. After a night’s sleep, he is ready to give his ride from the Chase Field Ballpark bullpen three out of five stars.
“I’d like some tunes the next time,” Gsellman said, “good driver, but music would make it better.”
Gsellman was the only Mets reliever to take advantage of the Diamondbacks’ old-fashioned bullpen cart, a quirky thing they brought back for this season to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Only a few visiting relievers have hopped on board, Nationals closer Sean Doolittle and Astros reliever Colin McHugh among them.
No Diamondbacks relievers have taken the ride yet.
“Why wouldn’t you?” Gsellman asked incredulously. “It’s awesome.”
In fact, Gsellman has been waiting two days for his chance, having reserved his ride as soon as the Mets came into town.
“I told the driver that when I got the call, he’d better be ready to go,” Gsellman said. “He was like ‘Great.’ And so we were waiting for the call.”
Saturday Gsellman got it in the Mets win over the Diamondbacks. He climbed onto the backseat of the cart, fashioned like a giant baseball with a Diamondbacks hat on top. He took the ride in again on Sunday to pick the save in the Mets 5-3 win.
![New York Mets relief pitcher Robert Gsellman exits the bullpen cart as he comes in to pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 16, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) New York Mets relief pitcher Robert Gsellman exits the bullpen cart as he comes in to pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 16, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)](/wp-content/uploads/migration/2018/06/18/P2TJM45ZO5H47AZHIO76EZVVWA.jpg)
“Seats were nice and comfortable,” Gsellman said.
As he rode in to the drop-off point Saturday, his teammates in the dugout were laughing and shaking their heads.
“Don’t care. It was awesome,” Gsellman said.
It certainly didn’t affect his pitching. Gsellman pitched a scoreless inning in the win.
And Sunday, Gsellman was glad that he was adding his name to the few relievers who were brave enough to take the ride. Gsellman checked out the few signatures in the bullpen cart on his short ride Saturday. He noted National League East rival Doolittle’s in there – “He gave it five stars.”
So, Gsellman was ready to sign Sunday and add his three-star rating. Besides the lack of music, Gsellman was also kind of disappointed he wasn’t allowed to drive.
“I told him I’d show him my license,” Gsellman. “I promised I wouldn’t crash it.”
Overall though, Gsellman loved the kitsch of the experience.
“We should definitely get one of those in (Citi Field),” Gsellman said. “That would be awesome.”
VOCAL VARGAS
Jason Vargas was ejected from the dugout Sunday by home plate umpire Jim Reynolds for barking about that strike zone. Vargas thought starter Zack Wheeler was getting squeezed.
Wheeler not only appreciated the support, but also the pause in play.
“I thanked him when I came in,” Wheeler said with a laugh. “I needed the break right there.”
Wheeler made a solid start, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs on three hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out eight.
DOTS ALL FOLKS
Jeurys Familia struggled in his first game back from the disabled list. He allowed a run on three hits. He walked one. Familia was activated before Sunday’s game. Jacob Rhame was optioned to Triple-A to make room. … There was no update on Noah Syndergaard. The right-hander who is on the disabled list with a strained right index finger is still resting the finger, Mets manager Mickey Callaway said.