Bumpy Road To The Mets

Dix Hills native John Mincone is living his dream as a new pitcher for the Mets’ minor league team, but the road was not without a few curveballs. 

The 22-year-old Half Hollow Hills High School East graduate has been put through the ringer during his short baseball career. Despite professional and personal setbacks including injuries and the loss of his father to cancer, Mincone continued to work on his game and stay close to his family roots. Preparation met opportunity last week when he was signed to his dream team, the New York Mets.

During a 12-hour Amtrack ride to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where spring training is underway, the pro ball player reflected on his road to the Mets.

What went through your head the moment you were signed by the Mets? 

It was incredible. The last couple of years have been rough between injures and personal family problems. It’s a huge relief to see all the work you put in pay off. The Mets have been my favorite team since I was born and it’s an honor that they would sign me.

Do you have any pre-game rituals that you do?

Not really, I’m not superstitious, but I mentally prepare myself. I do golf the day before. I do pitch better after I golf.  I’ll listen to music to stay calm.

What kind of music?

I’m old school. I listen to Billy Joel, the Beatles. It calms me down and helps me focus.

I researched you a bit and read that this isn’t the first time you’ll be on a field with other Mets players. Tell me about that childhood experience. 

My dad would take me to the local park when I was about 5 years old. Eric Stampfl, who was a minor league pitcher for the Mets, would be there practicing with his son too. From that point on, his son and I would always play together and we became best friends. Eric would practice pitching with me. He became like a second dad.

What’s it like to come full circle and now be pitching for the Mets minor league too?

It’s just an incredible dream come true. Now that I have a chance to be with them, I think it gives me that much more incentive to make it.

You’ve been bounced around a bit in the world of professional ball. What would you say have been the low point in your career and the high point?

The high point is just everything. Pitching pro ball was a dream for me. My low point I would say was my injuries with the Cubs. After I was released from the Cubs, I played for the ThunderBolts, but my whole entire baseball career really snapped when I tore my ACL. The rehab process was rough and my dad was sick while I was in Arizona. I came back home to help mom with my four brothers. I would drive them around to doctors’ appointments and to college. Knowing what my family was going through back home made it tough to stay away. After time, I had to be there for my family. My dad passed away in August.

Your dad was a big part of your baseball upbringing, can you tell me about that?

I picked up a ball and bat for the first time when I was two. My dad coached me. One time when I was in college, I called him the night before a game to tell him I was going to play. I didn’t think he would be able to make it, but right there, he hung up the phone and drove to North Carolina just to see me play. I know he’s still out there watching me pitch. He was a Mets fan, a die-hard Mets fan, which makes me feel so honored. I think he always wanted me to be a Met.

What are you going to miss about Long Island?

Definitely my family. Since my dad’s passing we’ve all become really close. My mom and brothers are moving out of our house in two weeks. It’s a rough thing to move into a new home.

If you weren’t a baseball player, what would you be doing?

Probably golfing. I drive two or three rounds everyday. I play with my brothers and anything goes with them. It’s a fun rivalry between us.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Last year was basically a lost year for me. This year though, I’ve lost 25 pounds. I’m lean and healthier than I’ve ever been since my freshman year of high school. I physically feel great and I mentally feel great. I got a second chance that not many people get. Seeing my family go through rough times, that really is my incentive to work even harder. With the ThunderBolts, I only got a month of playing in so I never got into a routine or comfortable on the mound. Now I’m looking to get back into rhythm.

You’re only 22 and you’ve already done what many people can only dream of.  Any tips for young players looking to go pro?

Work hard. Talent can only get you so far. That was a reality check for me. I was one of the better players until I was on a higher level. Nothing is going to come easy.