The first ever pitcher to be used in a doubleheader after Major League Baseball’s inception of the 26th Man Rule was former Met Jeremy Hefner.  On April 23, 2012, Hefner would make his big league debut pitching three scoreless innings in the first game of the doubleheader.  Since that point, Hefner would need not one but two Tommy John surgeries.  After the second surgery, the Mets would not offer him a contract making a free agent.  Currently, he is pitching for the Cardinals’ AAA affiliate the Memphis Redbirds.  His story might have began as one of a statistical oddity to one of perseverance.

With that in mind, it is fitting that Josh Smoker was called-up by the Mets to be the 26th man for the second game of the doubleheader against the Cardinals last night.

Smoker had originally been a first round pick by the Washington National back in 2007.  However, Smoker would never make it past A ball.  There was the first surgery in 2008 to remove bone spurs from his pitching shoulder.  There would be two more surgeries in 2013 to repair his labrum and rotator cuff.  After that, he was released by the Nationals organization leaving him with two options: (1) retire from baseball altogether; or (2) give it one last shot.

His shot would come with the Rockford Aviators of the Independent Aviator Leagues.  That Illinois team is located approximately 886 miles away from Citi Field, but in reality, Smoker seemed further away from the big leagues than that.  Initially, his three times surgically repaired shoulder didn’t have its velocity leaving him with an unspectacular 1-0 record with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.793 WHIP.  However, his velocity would come back, and the Mets would take notice offering him a minor league contract.

Suddenly, Smoker and his fastball that could top out around 98 MPH was blazing through the Mets minor league system.  He would start the year in the Sally League, and he would finish the year with AA Binghamton.  The pitcher who had trouble getting independent leaguers out had a 3-0 record with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.184 WHIP.  Given his prior years of service in the Nationals’ organization, the Mets were forced to decide whether to put Smoker on the 40 man roster or to expose him in the Rule 5 Draft.  Not only would the Mets put him on the 40 Man Roster, but they would also allow him to start the year in AAA.  Like most pitcher’s in the Pacific Coast League, Smoker’s ERA and WHIP would take a hit.  However, what really stood out this season is the fact that Smoker is striking out 13.2 batters per nine innings.  With the Mets having an open roster spot, and the team not wanting to tax the bullpen, the Mets had little choice but to add the pitcher who is striking out more batters per nine than anyone in their farm system.

And with that, Smoker has officially made it.  He is now a big league pitcher.  He persevered through three shoulder surgeries and diminished velocity.  He has overcame each and every obstacle thrown his way.  He didn’t get in the game, but it doesn’t diminish what he’s accomplished. Given the quirks of the 26th Man Rule, he’s on his way back to AAA. Without a doubt, he will be back with the Mets, and he will pitch in a game next time. 

Congratulations Josh Smoker.