Mets’ T.J. Rivera stays in parents’ home in Bronx before going to Citi Field for playoffs
T.J. Rivera of the New York Mets follows through on a second-inning base hit against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Steven Matz may be recovering from elbow surgery that will keep him from pitching for the Mets in the postseason. But it appears there will be at least one member of the Mets who will commute to a playoff game from their parents’ house this year, as Matz did last season.
Rookie T.J. Rivera will have that honor on Wednesday when he takes the 15-minute car ride from his childhood home in the Bronx to Citi Field, where the Mets host the Giants in the National League wild card game.
“It used to be ‘Mom, bring me to the game,’” said Rivera, who will have an entirely different experience on Wednesday.
Rivera, 27, has emerged as one of the best stories of October. Undrafted, overlooked and passed over several times this season, Rivera has made the most of his first chance with the Mets.
He finished the regular season hitting .333 with three homers and 16 RBIs. When the Mets take the field against the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner, Rivera is expected to start at second base.
Said Rivera: “You always want to face the best.”
