Jacob deGrom for Sports Illustrated
Posted on July 17, 2015
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
The New York Mets came to town last week to play the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park for their only trip of the 2015 regular season. This meant is was my first chance to see some of the great young arms the Mets have in their SIX man starting rotation. Their best starting pitcher Jacob deGrom was scheduled to pitch in the third and final game of the series, an awesome getaway 12:45pm start on a Wednesday afternoon. I was super excited to have the chance to shoot deGrom for the first time, especially after I got the call to photograph him on assignment for Sports Illustrated. The magazine was working on a story about the great Mets pitching staff (published in this week’s issue) and my job was to shoot deGrom from all the cool spots we have at AT&T Park. My wishes when I woke up that morning? Grey skies (instead of bright and harsh sunlight) and grey tops for the Mets (as opposed to dark blue ones). I got my wish as the game started under cloudy and drizzly skies, resulting in wonderful images that reminded me of the old days shooting Fujichrome.
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets sits in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets sits in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Because our beautiful park in San Francisco allows us to photograph the game from so many positions, including behind home plate, it is a wonderful place to shoot pitchers. Having the chance to shoot a star like deGrom who has a photogenic delivery with his long hair flying is real joy, especially when I can move around and shoot him from a different spot every inning. As the game began and he started mowing down Giants batters it was no wonder that he was the Rookie of the Year in the National League last season.
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets puts on his batting helmet in the dugout during the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets bats against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets smiles while running the bases during the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets smiles in the dugout during the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
I had so many chances to photograph deGrom during this game as he went 8 strong shutout innings only allowing 2 hits as he prepped for his dominating performance in the All-Star game the other night in Cincinnati when he struck out three American League batters on 10 pitches. This kid is the real deal as he starts the second half of the season with a 9-6 record and a 2.14 ERA. I look forward to watching him progress as he gets older. If the Mets could ever score some runs for him he could REALLY take off!
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