Travis d’Arnaud, a World Series champion and 2022 All-Star with the Atlanta Braves, didn’t shy away from his lingering bad blood with his former team, the New York Mets, when asked about it at a recent event. His blunt response, “New York Mets,” echoed the simmering tension that dates back to his 2019 release.
D’Arnaud spent seven years with the Mets, but their relationship crumbled after a slow start to his post-Tommy John surgery season in 2019. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a near World Series appearance in 2015, inconsistent performance and injuries led to his departure.
The sting of the cut is evident in D’Arnaud’s comments. He expressed both personal frustration for not reaching his full potential with the Mets and a subtle dig at their expectations, which he felt he didn’t fully meet.
He found success elsewhere, thriving with the Tampa Bay Rays before landing with the Braves, NL East rivals of the Mets. This rivalry adds another layer to his motivation, providing a platform to prove his worth to his former team.
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While 2023 wasn’t his strongest year, D’Arnaud has historically hit well against the Mets, boasting a .326 average and .398 on-base percentage in their matchups. With a projected shared catching role in 2024, these encounters are sure to remain charged, fueled by d’Arnaud’s unresolved feelings and his ongoing desire to show the Mets what they let slip away.
