Curtiss relied on F1 racing fandom during Tommy John recovery
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — John Curtiss needed something to do.
The right-hander was recovering from Tommy John surgery and with his right arm out of commission, he was unable to play his guitar.
With little to fill his time, his physical therapist in Arizona turned him on to a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States: Formula 1. Curtiss watched the final nine races of the 2021 season and was hooked.
“Thelastnineracesof2021 werekindofacrazychampionship season,” Curtiss told the Daily News this week at Clover Field. “That kind of drew me in. And then over the offseason and during the lockout, I spent a lot of time researching the history and the cars and how it worked. I got really into it.”
The Mets signed Curtiss last April knowing they would be unable to use him in 2022 and they moved his rehab to Port St. Lucie. With nothing do to except rehab, the F1 fandom continued to grow.
“Last season, I had all the timeintheworldtowatchall the qualifying races,” Curtiss said.“it’sreallycoolandeasy to follow along with.”
Somewhere along the line, it became about more than entertainment. Curtiss saw the winning mentalities of the drivers and executives,especiallytotowolff, a former driver from Austria who is now a part owner of Mercedes’ F1 team, and the team’s star driver, Lewis Hamilton. He felt he could apply those lessons to baseball.
Spending time around other athletes while rehabbing in his native Oklahoma helped him understand this as well. Now, he has to take that mentality and use it to try and crack the Mets’ Opening Day roster.
The Mets have at least onespot,possiblytwo,upfor grabs in the bullpen. Curtiss, a 29-year-old Dallas native drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Twins out of the University of Texas, is competing with a group of young pitchers who all have options. Curtiss has one option year left as well, which fits with the Mets’ overall goal of having a flexiblegroupthatcanbeshuttled backandforthfromtriple-a Syracuse as needed.
Right-handers Jeff Brigham, Sam Coonrod, Elieser Hernandez, Stephen Ridingsandzachgreeneare in the same group. However, since Greene was a Rule 5 Draft pick, the Mets are unable to use his options. He’ll have to be placed on outright waivers and should he clear, offered back to the Yankees.
Left-hander Joey Lucchesi could be used as a long reliever, though with Tylor Megill and David Peterson needing innings, it seems more likely he could begin the season as a starter in Triple-a. Right-hander Stephen Nogosek put up good numbers for the Mets last season, but his spot isn’t guaranteed and he’s out of options.