Tom Brennan - Sometimes, the Fierce Heart Trumps All

Takes a licking', keeps on tickin'

Kevin Pillar and his iron will hit a huge 3 run homer Monday night.  The Mets had just grabbed a one run lead in the 11th, but with just-called-up Anthony Banda due to pitch the 11th, more than a one run lead was needed.

The man in the face mask not too long ago, who made the bravest, fastest return from a severe injury that I've ever seen in baseball, had just tried to catch a fly in the corner, heading face-first and full tilt towards the side wall.  

Just missed the catch, but who else who had a shattered nose surgically reassembled not that long ago would have been that aggressive?  Who would have blamed a guy for shying away from the fence.  No one, that's who.  A hockey-tough player in a baseball uniform.

He didn't snare that ball, but what effort.  

Always, Pillar gives EFFORT and DETERMINATION.

Then, Mets leading 11-10 in the 11th, 2 men on, Pillar stepped to the plate a struggling hitter, but my guess is all he could see was Mano a Mano, no fear, no "what if I fail?", no thoughts of his recent hitting struggles, just intent on doing damage.  

Expecting to do damage.

And damage he did, hitting a majestic 3 run shot into the dark night.  

I am sure the ball had written on it, "ya gotta believe," and on the flip side "LFGM".

Pillar's shot was the cushion they needed - and clearly it was then "party is on" time, as Conforto, who has been struggling, swatted a dead center blast to put the icing on the 15 run cake.

Toughness rubs off.

Pillar's career OBP is slightly under .300, and he is hitting slightly under .220 this year, but his value to this team, his extraordinary toughness and resolve and encouragement, is worth so much more than his stats.

When Pillar hit his 3 run shot, was I surprised?  Not at all. 

Were you? 

After all:

He's Kevin Pillar.

A guy who has put together a solid MLB career, despite being drafted in the 32nd round.  No limits, no boundaries.