#jacob-degrom

#jacob-degrom

This was the most loaded pool of candidates, with Hall of Famers, MVPs and World Series champions populating the list. How could someone eclipse Derek Jeter, who recorded 2,658 hits from 2000-14, or Mariano Rivera, who saved 523 games from 2000-13? That's a testament to the greatness of Judge. Since his MLB debut in 2016, Judge leads the majors in home runs (368), OPS (1.028) and wins above replacement, or WAR (61.6).

There has always been a certain degree of stoicism to Jacob deGrom's game. The veteran right-handed ace's composure on the mound is almost as much of a trademark as his often unhittable stuff. His old teammate Brandon Nimmo even likened him to a bulldog when he's on the mound a smile, or any sort of showing of emotion, comes few and far between.

The Jacob deGrom we knew and loved and were forsaken by when the money was too good to pass up elsewhere returned to Citi Field Friday night, and Jacob came home with a vengeance. Actually, Jake went about his business as he usually did as a Met. He was elegant, he was efficient, he walked off the mound with nothing to regret on his end.