Jonathon Niese: 2015 NL Champion Mets Left-Handed Pitcher (2008 - 2016)

Jonathon Joseph Niese was born on October 27th, 1986; the same day the Mets won Game #7 of the '86 World Series.

Niese was born in Lima, Ohio going to high school in Defiance, Ohio where he was drafted by the New York Mets in 2005, in the seventh round. The six foot four, left hander began his career pitching seven games with the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2005.

By 2007 he was leading the 11 A ball St. Lucie, Mets with eleven wins going 11-7. The next season he promoted through AA Binghamton (6-7 / 3.04 ERA) & AAA New Orleans where he was an impressive 5-1 with a 3.40 ERA for the Zephyrs. As one of the Mets top pitching talents he got a big-league September call up.

Mets Debut: On September 2nd, Niese debuted in the heat of the Mets pennant race. He got the start in Milwaukee but served up five runs on seven hits exiting after three innings. The team rallied to go onto a 6-5 win. 

First Career Win: On September 13th at Shea Stadium, he had an outstanding game, throwing eight shutout innings, striking out seven to beat the Braves 5-0.

When the day ended the Mets had a 2.5 game lead over the Phillies. But they who would go 6-9 the rest of the way missing the playoffs on the final day of the season in the final game played at Shea Stadium. 

Niese pitched one more game but allowed six runs ending his season at 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA. The Mets missed the post season, losing on the final day of the season, in the last game played at Shea Stadium.

2009: Niese spent most of the 2009 season at AAA Buffalo going 5-6 with a 3.82 ERA, striking out 82 batters in 94 innings. 

In New York he pitched five games for the Mets with two big league stints. On July 25th he earned a win over the Astros in Houston & on July 30th took a loss to the Rockies at home. 

2010: Niese started the third game of the 2010 season; he allowed three runs to the Florida Marlins taking a 3-1 loss to Nate Robertson & Marlin bullpen. 

On April 30th, he would earn his first win, allowing just one run at Philadelphia, pitching seven innings striking out seven. He made just three starts in May before going on the DL. At the end of May he was 1-2 with a 4.79 ERA.

Five Game Win Streak: In June, Niese went on a personal five game win streak, highlighted by a
one hitter at Citi Field. From June 5th to July 2nd, he made six starts allowing one run or less in four of them. He earned wins over the Marlins, Padres Indians, Twins & Nationals.

One Hit Shut Out: On June 10th at Citi Field, Niese he threw the 34th one hitter in Mets history. It was his first complete game shutout & the 26th complete game one hitter by a Mets pitcher in team history. He struck out six & walked no one, beating the San Diego Padres 3-0. In the 3rd inning Chris Denorfia doubled, then Niese set down the next 21 batters, setting a franchise record. 

Mets Trivia: He was just the second Mets pitcher since Tom Seaver in 1969 to come within one out of a perfect game.

In two games from June 10th to June 16th, he pitched 12 scoreless innings, then matched that feat at the end of the month from June 27th to July 2nd. At the start of July, his record was at 6-2, before suffering two straight losses in games he pitched into the 7th inning or beyond.

On July 16th he lost a 1-0 game in San Francisco as Barry Zito shut out the Mets on a three hitter. 

On July 27th, he beat the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field, allowing just one run in seven innings for his seventh win (7-4).

After an August 1st disaster, where took the loss giving up a season high seven runs (six earned) he allowed just one earned run in each of his next four starts. But despite pitching into the 7th inning in three of those starts, he got just one win to his credit. 

On August 26th, he gave up seven runs again, this time all earned to the Marlins for his sixth loss. In his next start he gave up eight runs to the Braves, including a grand slam to the Braves David Ross. But just three of the runs were earned due to Luis Castillo's error.

In September, he gave up five runs at Wrigley Field, but the Mets scored 18 runs as he earned his ninth & final win of the year. Niese lost his next three starts, giving up six runs in his last two starts. On September 17th in a Citi Field loss to the Braves, he allowed six runs but none of them were earned as a David Wright error led to a six-run inning topped off by Jason Heyward's three run HR.  as the Mets finished fourth at 79-83.

He finished the year 9-10 with a 4.20 ERA, striking out 148 batters, walking 62 in 173 innings pitched. Jon made 30 starts becoming the ninth Mets rookie pitcher to make 30 starts in a season. He was named to the Baseball America All Rookie Team.

2011: Niese got the second start of the year in a horrible 11-0 loss to the Phillies in Philadelphia. A terrible April had him at 1-4, but things turned around in May. 

On May 12th, the Mets supported him with nine runs in Colorado, as he earned a 9-5 win over the Rockies.

Pinch Hit Triple: On May 16th, he got a surprising call as a pinch hitter in an extra inning game against the Florida Marlins. Niese delivered with a triple in a 2-1 game but was stranded, as the tying run on third base when Jose Reyes struck out to end the game. 

Mets Trivia: The last Met pitcher to record a pinch hit was Brian Bohanon in 1997 & the last Mets pitcher to record a triple was Nelson Figueroa in 2009.

From May 18th to June 14th, he allowed two runs or less in six straight starts going 4-1 posting a 1.58 ERA striking out 37 batters in 40 innings.

On May 18th, he shut out the Nationals over seven innings, leading to a seven strike out victory. On May 29th, Neise had another strong outing, pitching shutout ball into the 7th inning, to beat the Phillies for his fourth win.

On June 9th, he struck out a season high eight batters, allowing just one run in Milwaukee to get to .500 at 5-5. He would win his next four road starts for a five-game road win streak, the longest of his career to that point.

From there he would go 6-6 the rest of the way posting a 5.38 ERA as batters hit .310 against him.

On July 16th he beat the Phillies again, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out six to match his career high to that point nine wins. In Juny & August he struck out six or more batters in eight times in 12 starts.

That month Manager Terry Collins had announced he was going to be limited to 180 innings. 

Season Ending Injury: On August 24th he suffered an injury to his ribcage which ended his season. 

Niese ended the year at 11-11, second on the club (tied with Chris Capuano) in wins. He struck out 138 batters in 157 innings, walking 44 with a 4.40 ERA in 27 games.

Nose Job: In the off season, Niese got his famous nose job after much ribbing from his teammates. Carlos Beltran even paid to have the procedure done.

It was a physical improvement & also helped him breathe much better. 

He then signed a five-year $25 million contract, as the Mets showed him, they believed in him & wanted him around in better times.

2012: In his first start of the 2012 season, Niese took a no hitter into the 7th inning, against the Atlanta Braves. In the 7th, he surrendered the first hit of the game, a single to Freddie Freeman. Then Matt Diaz reached on an error, Jason Heyward doubles & it was a 7-3 game. Terry Collins removed him from the game & Mets held on for a 7-5 victory.

Jon started out the year winning his first two decisions, striking out twelve batters in twelve innings with a 2.13 ERA. 

On May 18th, he gave up a career high four HRs, while giving up a season & career high eight runs in a 15-4 loss in Toronto.

Mets Record: From June 3rd to September 7th, he set a franchise record pitching six or more innings in 17 starts walking two or fewer batters.

10 K Game: On June 10th, he struck out a career high ten batters, pitching six innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for his fourth win of the year (4-2).

From July 8th to July 22nd, he went three starts without issuing a walk, becoming the seventh Mets pitcher to accomplish the feat. In his final 15 starts over the last three months of the season, he gave up HRs in nine of the starts.

On July 27th, he matched a career high giving up eight runs in an 11-5 loss in Arizona, as his
record went to 7-5.

In August he went 3-3 keeping his ERA at 3.55 while earning his tenth win of the year, in a five-inning shutout performance in Washington. That day the Mets beat the Nat's 2-0.

In September, he won his final three starts with wins in Milwaukee, Atlanta & at home beating the Marlins. He posted a 2.79 ERA with 15 strike outs in those three games. On September 14th, Niese earned his career high 11th victory as he beat the Brewers in Milwaukee, giving up two runs in six innings.

He finished 2012 second on the staff to R.A. Dickey in wins (13-9) strike outs (155) innings (190) starts (30) & ERA (3.40). He even batted .218 second best average among pitchers to Matt Harvey’s .333.

2013: When the Mets lost Johan Santana, Niese was named the 22nd Mets Opening Day starting
pitcher in team history. That day he pitched into the 7th inning, allowing just two runs in an 11-2 win over the San Diego Padres. In that game he collected two hits for his fourth career multi- hit game. 

In his next start, he allowed one earned run to the Miami Marlins but took another no decision in a 7-3 Mets win.

On April 12th, he took a win in Minnesota, then he went on a personal four game losing streak, dropping six of seven. On May 5th he gave up seven runs & a matched a career high with six walks in a loss at Atlanta. On May 11th he gave up a season high eight runs in an 11-2 blowout loss to the Pirates at Citi Field. On May 16th he won his fits victory in over a month before dropping two more games to fall to 3-6.

Partially Torn Rotator Cuff: He then went down with injury with a partially torn rotator cuff. He chose to rest & rehab instead of have surgery.  He went on the DL & returned two months, later in mid-August. 

He had a good comeback, winning three straight decisions, not allowing more than one earned run in three of four August starts. That month he posted a 1.93 ERA eighth best among all MLB pitchers.

On August 11th, he gave up four runs to the Arizona D-backs, but the Mets scored nine runs for him.

On August 16th in San Diego, he allowed just one run & struck out a season high nine batters in a 5-2 win over the Padres for his fifth win (5-6). 

On August 21st, he allowed just one run over six innings to the Braves at Citi Field in a no decision. In that game he matched his season high nine Ks.

In the 6th inning he hit Jason Heyward in the face with a pitch, breaking his jaw. 

Niese left in the 7th inning with the score tied 1-1, but the Mets lost the game 4-1, as the Braves scored three runs in the 10th inning. Niese struck out nine batters that day as well.

Three Hit Shut Out: On August 27th at Citi Field, he had his best start of the year; pitching a three-hit complete game shutout, striking out five Philadelphia Phillies. It was this third straight win which was also a season best streak. It was Niese's third career complete game & second career shutout.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, he cleared the bases with a three run double off Kyle Kendrick. He was the second Mets pitcher in franchise history to drive in three runs in his own shut out, Pete Falcone did it in 1981.

In September he went 2-2. In six starts he gave up two runs in four of the games.  After a no decision at Washington, he took a loss at Cleveland when the Indians scored five runs off him in a 9-4 Met loss. In that game, Michael Bourn stole second base & it was the first stolen base he allowed all season. He would allow one more in his final start.

On September 19th, he lost a heartbreaker 2-1 game to Madison Bumgarner & the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. Niese had pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with four strike outs. 

On September 24th, he won his final game of the season, with a victory over the Reds in Cincinnati.

In 2013 he was 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA, 97 strike outs & 45 walks in 130 innings over 22 games. At Citi Field although he won just four games, he posted a 2.70 ERA in 14 starts.

2014: In February of 2014 he had discomfort in his shoulder, he was flown to New York had an MRI & nothing was found wrong. 

In March he had a second MRI after having more pain. This one also came back negative, but he it caused him to miss starting another Opening Day.

On April 16th, he made his first start, allowing two runs on six hits in 5.2 innings taking a 1-0 loss to the Reds Alfredo Simon. After starting the year at 0-2 he beat the St. Louis Cardinals & Philadelphia Phillies in consecutive starts where he pitched into the 6th inning, allowing just one run each time.

On May 5th he pitched seven shutout innings in Miami but took no decision in the 4-3 loss to the Marlins. 

From May 27th to June 12th, he allowed two runs or less in four straight starts without earning a win. The Mets bullpen blew two of those games.

In July he suffered from soreness in his shoulder & went on the 15-day DL, missing almost three weeks of action.  

On July 21st he returned & would take four straight losses giving up 16 earned runs in 25 innings of work. On July 21st Niese gave up eleven hits & four runs to the Mariners in Seattle. He then gave up three runs in his next two starts to fall to 5-8. On August 6th in Washington, he gave up a season high six runs for his fourth straight loss.  

In mid-August he won two straight games but then lost his next two falling to a 7-10 record, although his ERA was a respectable 3.48. 

50th Career Victory: On August 16th he beat the Cubs at Citi Field for his 50th career win. He
became the seventh Mets lefthander to reach 50 wins & the 16th pitcher overall.

On September 2nd, he earned a win even though he had a terrible outing in Miami, where he gave up a season matching worst six runs, on ten hits in just six innings of work

In his final four starts he gave up two runs or less each time, with two games of one run or less. In 26 innings of work, he allowed just four runs but earned just one win in those games.

In his last start of the season, he removed himself from the game after experiencing an accelerated heart rate. 

He finished the year with a 9-11 record, matching a career high in losses with his 2011 season. He matched career bests in starts (30) & allowed three runs or less in 27 of those starts. 

On the season he posted a 3.40 ERA. At Citi Field he posted a 2.74 ERA in 14 starts. 

Dating back to 2013 he set a franchise record allowing three runs or less in 23 straight home starts, passing Johan Santana's 22 starts. Up to that point in time, Niese had the most wins at Citi Field since the ballpark opened.

Niese struck out 138 batters with 45 walks in 187 pitched. He struggled with runners in scoring position as they hit .309 against him.

2015 Mets Pennant Season: Niese found himself at the back end of a fantastic pitching staff that would be one of the league's best. With Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Bartolo Colon & the late additions of Noah Syndergaard & Steven Matz, Niese was a man forgotten. His biggest problem has always been when he gets into a jam, the flood gates open and it all comes crashing down on him.

On April 10th, Niese got the fourth start of the Mets season allowing just one run through eight innings but got no decision in a 5-3 Met loss at Atlanta. 

His won his next two starts over the Phillies & Braves at Citi Field, allowing just one run in each game while pitching into the 7th inning. 

He was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA.

From May 2nd to June 30th, Niese would struggle earning just one win against seven losses, giving up 32 runs, with seven HRs in 67 innings for a 4.30 ERA. From May 14th to May 30th, he gave up four runs or more each time, with a season high eight runs allowed on May 19th.

In July he would turn things around winning five of six games thru August.

15.2 Scoreless Road Innings: On July 6th, Jon had his best outing, pitching eight shutout innings in San Francisco where he struck out four Giants earning the 3-0 win. On 

Two starts later in St. Louis, he pitched into the 8th inning shutting out the Cards but go no decision. Over those last two road games he posted a 15.2 scoreless innings. 

On July 30th he threw six innings at Citi Field allowing one run to the Padres but got no decision. 

On August 4th, he gave up just one run in seven innings at Miami beating the Marlins 5-1 with a season high six strike outs to get to 6-9, lowering his ERA to 3.51.

On August 22nd, the Mets were still red hot starting to run away with the NL East, Niese gave up seven runs in Colorado but still earned a 14-9-win as the Mets belted out 21 hits. Niese got to 8-9 on the season.

In September, as the Mets were on looking to clinch the NL East, it seemed he hadn't gotten the start in many of the big games. Four straight outings of allowing five runs or more eventually led him to the bullpen. 

In relief he pitched three scoreless innings in three appearances. That's where he'd find himself in the post season as well.

For 2015 he went 9-10 with a 4.13 ERA 113 strike outs, 55 walks in 176 innings. He made 29 starts in a career high 33 appearances, finishing one game in relief. 

At the plate he had nine hits in 60 at bats (.173 average) with four RBIs.

2015 Post Season: In the post season Neise found himself in the bullpen as Terry Collins went with his four-man young pitching stud rotation.

In the NLDS win over the Dodgers, he made His first appearance came in Game #2 in Los Angeles as he struck out pinch hitter Justin Ruggiano in the 6th inning of the Mets 5-2 loss. 

2015 NLCS: In the NLCS sweep of the Cubs he made one appearance. In Game #2 he appeared in the 6th inning at Citi Field, striking out Anthony Rizzo with a runner on second base to end a Cub threat. The Mets beat Chicago 4-1 in that game.

2015 World Series: In the World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals, he made three appearances. 

His first, came in Game #1 where he pitched two solid shutout innings (the 10th & 11th) while striking out three along the way. The Mets would lose in the 14th inning.

Next, he got bombed in Game #2 giving up three runs on three hits in one inning of work in the 7-1 Met loss. In Game #5 he came on in another extra inning performance, throwing a shut-out inning as well.

Overall, in the post season he appeared in six games, 5.1 innings allowing three runs on five hits, six strike outs & three walks.

Traded From & Back to Mets: In December Niese was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for second baseman Neil Walker. It was a sad day for Niese who the promising pitcher of the Mets future was once, to find himself with no place on the staff. 

But after just 23 games in Pittsburgh going 8-6, he was traded back to the Mets for reliever Antonio Bastardo.

2016 Mets Return: Niese would see just action in six games for the Mets going 0-1 in two bad starts where he allowed seven runs in five innings combined, before going down for the season with injury. His season ended on August 23rd.

In 2017 he signed with the AL New York team then was released in March. He signed a minor league deal with Texas but was released there as well.

In 2019 he began the year with the Long Island Ducks. In late April his contract was purchased by the Seattle Mariners where he pitched 14 games at AAA Tacoma. He was released in July.

Career Stats: In his nine-year career, Niese was 69-68 in 197 starts. He has 914 strike outs with 367 walks in 1189 innings in 211 total appearances.

Family: In 2009 Jonathan met his wife Leah at a Bonfire with friends in Ohio, when he was rehabbing a torn hamstring. In January 2013, the two married in & lived in Long Island City during his Mets career.

On Opening Day 2015 she said in an interview that she goes to as many games as she can. She is the superstitious one & wears Mets underwear for good luck.

Together they have one son, which Jon watched being born on his cell phone.