The World Series is the pinnacle of professional baseball, where the two best teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) compete in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion of the league.
Winning a World Series is the ultimate achievement for a baseball player, as it requires exceptional skill, talent, and teamwork.
One player who has been in the spotlight in recent years is Noah Syndergaard, a starting pitcher for the New York Mets.
Syndergaard is known for his powerful arm and dominant pitching, and he has helped the Mets to several playoff appearances.
In this blog post, we’ll explore Syndergaard’s career highlights, his involvement in the 2015 World Series, and whether or not he has won a championship ring.
Syndergaard’s Career Highlights
Noah Syndergaard, also known as “Thor” due to his long blonde hair and imposing stature, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010 and later traded to the New York Mets in 2012.
He made his MLB debut in May 2015 and quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league.
Throughout his career, Syndergaard has been known for his fastball, which can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, as well as his sharp breaking ball and devastating changeup.
He has been a key member of the Mets’ starting rotation and has helped the team to several successful seasons.
Syndergaard’s accomplishments and honors include being named an All-Star in 2016, finishing eighth in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2016, and winning the Silver Slugger Award in 2018.
He also holds several Mets franchise records, including the most strikeouts in a single season by a rookie pitcher (166) and the most strikeouts in a game by a Mets pitcher (15).
In addition to his individual accolades, Syndergaard has made significant contributions to the Mets’ success over the years. He was a key member of the team’s starting rotation during their playoff runs in 2015 and 2016, and he has helped to anchor the Mets’ pitching staff in the years since.
Despite battling injuries and setbacks in recent years, Syndergaard remains a talented and formidable pitcher who has left an indelible mark on the Mets franchise.
Syndergaard’s Involvement in the 2015 World Series
The 2015 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals took the first two games of the series and were looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead in Game 3. However, Noah Syndergaard had other plans.
In Game 3, Syndergaard took the mound for the Mets and immediately made his presence felt. He threw the first pitch of the game behind Royals leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar, sending a message to the Royals that the Mets were not going to back down.
Syndergaard went on to pitch six innings, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out six batters.
Syndergaard’s performance helped the Mets win the game 9-3 and prevented the Royals from taking a 3-0 lead in the series. His dominant pitching, combined with the Mets’ strong offense, allowed the team to get back in the series and keep their championship hopes alive.
Although the Mets ultimately lost the series in five games, Syndergaard’s performance in Game 3 will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the 2015 World Series.
His willingness to stand up to the Royals and his dominant pitching helped the Mets to avoid a potential sweep and gave the team a chance to fight back in the series.
Syndergaard’s Post-2015 World Series Career
Since the 2015 World Series, Noah Syndergaard has experienced his fair share of injuries and setbacks. In 2017, he was diagnosed with a partial tear in his right lat muscle, which kept him out of action for several months.
He also suffered a strained ligament in his right index finger in 2018 and was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in 2020, requiring him to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Despite these setbacks, Syndergaard has continued to perform at a high level when healthy. He posted a 13-4 record with a 2.60 ERA in 2016, finishing eighth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
In 2019, he went 10-8 with a 4.28 ERA, striking out 202 batters in 197 2/3 innings. He has also continued to be a strikeout machine, averaging 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings throughout his career.
In terms of playoff appearances, Syndergaard has only made one appearance since the 2015 World Series.
In 2016, he started Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Game against the San Francisco Giants, pitching seven innings and allowing just two runs while striking out 10 batters.
The Mets went on to win the game and advance to the National League Division Series, but were ultimately eliminated by the eventual World Series champion Chicago Cubs.
Despite his injuries and lack of playoff success in recent years, Syndergaard remains one of the most talented and dominant pitchers in the league when healthy.
He is a key member of the Mets’ pitching staff and will be looking to help the team return to the playoffs and potentially win a World Series championship in the future.
Noah Syndergaard’s career highlights and postseason appearances:
| Season | Team | Record | ERA | Strikeouts | Postseason Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Mets | 9-7 | 3.24 | 166 | World Series Runner-Up |
| 2016 | Mets | 14-9 | 2.60 | 218 | National League Wild Card |
| 2017 | Mets | 1-2 | 3.29 | 34 | N/A |
| 2018 | Mets | 13-4 | 3.03 | 155 | N/A |
| 2019 | Mets | 10-8 | 4.28 | 202 | N/A |
| 2020 | Mets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | Mets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | Angels | 12-9 | 3.51 | 204 | N/A |
| 2023 | Mets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: N/A indicates that the player did not make any postseason appearances or did not play that season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Noah Syndergaard won any major awards in his career?
Yes, Syndergaard has won several awards and honors during his career, including being named to the All-Star team in 2016 and winning the National League Pitcher of the Month award in April 2016.
What is Syndergaard’s best pitch?
Syndergaard is known for his devastating fastball, which routinely clocks in at over 95 miles per hour. He also has a strong slider and changeup in his arsenal.
Has Syndergaard ever pitched a no-hitter?
No, Syndergaard has never pitched a no-hitter in his career. His closest attempt came in 2018 when he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres.
What is Syndergaard’s contract status with the Mets?
Syndergaard is currently signed to a one-year, $21 million contract with the Mets for the 2023 season. He is eligible to become a free agent after the season.
What is Syndergaard’s nickname?
Syndergaard is commonly referred to as “Thor” by fans and teammates, in reference to his long blond hair and resemblance to the Norse god of thunder.
To Recap
Noah Syndergaard is a talented pitcher who has made significant contributions to the success of the New York Mets over the years.
He has earned numerous individual accolades and helped the Mets reach the playoffs in 2015 and 2016, including a standout performance in Game 3 of the 2015 World Series.
While he has faced injuries and setbacks in recent years, Syndergaard remains a dominant force on the mound and a key member of the Mets’ pitching staff.
With his talent and determination, he has the potential to help lead the Mets to future playoff appearances and potentially a World Series championship.
