Pals Conforto, Lamb play catch-up in Miami
MIAMI — Jake Lamb finds it a little funny. He’s played baseball with Michael Conforto since they were both 16 years old. The Diamondbacks third baseman said there are few players he knows that are more laid back, quiet and low-key than Conforto.
“So I think it’s kind of funny that he’s in New York City. I guess I am just surprised he’s liked it so much,” Lamb said. “I may not be as laid back as him, but I thought it would be overwhelming or too much. But he has really done well there and seems to love his life there.”
The two friends from the Seattle area got to catch up Monday afternoon when they took the players bus from the hotel to Marlins Park.
“I was really excited when I saw he was going to be here too,” Conforto said of Lamb. “We’ve known each other a long time, we keep in touch, so I was happy when the rosters came out and he was there.”
Conforto is the lone Mets representative at the 88th All-Star Game, which will be played Tuesday night.
“Obviously I was hoping some other guys would make it. We have had some injuries. So that makes it a little difficult,” said Conforto, who was voted in by the players as a reserve. “I was hoping Jay Bruce would make it. I was hoping Jacob deGrom would make it.
“But, me being the only guy representing the Mets, in a way it makes things more special for me,” Conforto said.
Conforto also had his girlfriend, father and mother in Miami with him.
“It is such an honor and blessing that Michael made it and that we are here!!” Conforto’s mother Tracie Ruiz Conforto said in a text to the Daily News. “I was so happy to see him and give him a hug!!”
Conforto said that his wrist, which had been bruised and kept him on the disabled list for 10 days, was fine after playing for the first time on Sunday. He hopes to get an at-bat in Tuesday’s AllStar Game.
TEXTING REUNION
The apartment in Fort Pierce, Fla., was cheap and safe. Then just four Mets minor leaguers — Jacob deGrom, Michael Fulmer, Chasen Bradford and Matt Bowman — crammed into the three bedroom apartment for a season, sharing the rent and dreams of making it to the big leagues.
“We used to have a group text going all the time, but then we all moved on,” said Fulmer, who was traded to the Tigers in August 2015 for Yoenis Cespedes. “But, when (the Mets) called up Chasen (two weeks ago) we got all four guys on it again.
“It’s pretty great,” Fulmer added, “All four guys from that little apartment in the big leagues at the same time. Just like we hoped.”
Fulmer’s career since being dealt to Detroit has been a whirlwind. He won the 2016 Rookie of the Year award and he made his first All-Star roster. He is 9-6 with a 3.19 ERA in 17 starts for the Tigers this season. “I keep in touch with the guys I played with,” Fulmer said. “But I’ve moved on (from the trade), it’s worked out well for everyone.”
TITO UPDATE
Indians manager Terry Francona is “home resting and doing well,” acting American League manager Brad Mills said before announcing that Chris Sale would start for the AL Tuesday night. Mills, the Indians bench coach, is managing in Francona’s place.
“He wants to give his best wishes to everyone as well.”
Cubs manager Joe Maddon announced Nationals ace Max Scherzer would be starting for the NL.
JUST PLAY
Both managers said they were relieved that the outcome of the AllStar Game no longer determines home-field advantage for the World Series.
“From my point of view, we’re here to see these guys and celebrate these players. Celebrate this game and what they have done the first half of this season,” Mills said. “I think the biggest thing for me is to get everybody in the ballgame and let everyone see them and see the things they’ve done and see what type of player they are.”