Welcome to the sixth installment of Mets Sunday School: Forgotten Faces of Flushing, where we take a trip down memory lane to revisit the orange-and-blue-clad players who time—and often Mets fans—seem to have forgotten. Every week, we’ll rummage through baseball cards (or crumbling programs that smelled like hot dogs) to shine a light on the Mets who didn’t make headlines but somehow found a way to be part of the team’s unpredictable and unforgettable history at Shea, Citi, the Polo Grounds, and beyond.Think of this as a history class for the diehards, but without the pop quizzes or mandatory attendance. Whether these players were flashes in the pan, benchwarmers who turned into cult heroes, or just plain footnotes, they all have a story worth telling so grab a seat, sharpen your pencils, and let’s get to work!
Last week, we took a trip down memory lane with Claudell Washington, whose short but eventful Mets stint landed him in the same sentence as Johnny Mize and Babe Ruth—a sentence he probably never expected to be in. This week, we turn our attention to Bobby Parnell, a flame-throwing righty who rode his 100-mph heater all the way to the closer’s role. Along the way, there were highs, lows, and enough arm trouble to make a physical therapist weep. So grab your radar guns and let’s take a look at Parnell’s rollercoaster ride with the Mets.
Born in the picturesque town of Salisbury, North Carolina, on September 9, 1984, Bobby Parnell didn't exactly come into this world with a baseball in his hand. His father and grandfather were firefighters, which means throwing heat runs in the family—just not usually with a baseball.
At East Rowan High School in Granite Quarry—a place that sounds like it should be right next to Bedrock—Parnell was more focused on hitting baseballs than hurling them. But just like when Fred Flintstone met big-league scout Leo Ferocious and dreamed of playing alongside Sandy Stoneaxe, Lindy McShale, and Mickey Marble, Parnell’s role took a prehistoric shift. Instead of slugging rocks like Mickey Marble in the Cave Construction Championship, he found himself on the mound, hoping his fastball would impress more than just Boulder City Giants manager Casey Strangle. When he got to Charleston Southern University, the coaches saw his arm and decided he’d be better off firing fastballs than fielding grounders. And just like that, he went from shortstop to pitcher, proving that sometimes, even in baseball, you have to chisel out a new path.
During the summer of 2004, Parnell packed his bags for Cape Cod, where he pitched for the Chatham A's, a breeding ground for future big leaguers and sunburned tourists alike. Control was still a bit of a foreign concept for young Bobby, but his former American Legion coach saw something in him. Apparently, so did the New York Mets, who gambled on his rocket arm and snagged him in the ninth round of the 2005 MLB Draft. It’s the kind of story that makes you wonder if the scouts just flipped a coin or if they truly believed the kid could eventually find the strike zone.
Either way, Bobby Parnell was on his way to the Big Apple, ready to learn the fine line between a blazing fastball and a souvenir for fans in the outfield seats.
Bobby Parnell’s climb to the big leagues wasn’t exactly a straight shot—it was more like a winding country road with a few potholes and detours along the way. Drafted by the Mets in the ninth round of the 2005 draft, Parnell started out as a starter in the minors, logging innings for the Brooklyn Cyclones, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Mets, and New Orleans Zephyrs. Despite the constant bus rides and less-than-glamorous accommodations, he managed to stand out, earning mid-season All-Star nods in three different leagues. Not bad for a guy who originally thought he’d be playing third base.
By 2008, Parnell had impressed enough people in the Mets organization to get the call to The Show. He made his debut on September 15, proving that if you throw hard enough, teams will give you a shot. The following year, he stuck with the big club and picked up his first major league win on May 8, 2009, against the Pirates. Later that summer, on August 5, he pulled off a rare feat, getting his first big-league hit in his first at-bat. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be batting.
As injuries piled up for the Mets in 2009—because, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a Mets season without an injury crisis—Parnell was thrown into the rotation. His first major league start came on August 8 against the Padres, and just six days later, he notched his first win as a starter. On September 4, he shut out the Cubs over a career-high seven innings, proving that maybe, just maybe, the Mets had something here.
Parnell’s calling card, though, was his fastball. The guy threw gas. By 2010, he was a full-time reliever, and on August 18, he hit 102.5 mph on the radar gun—at the time, the fastest pitch in the majors that season. Of course, two weeks later, Aroldis Chapman came along and made that look like a changeup, but for a brief moment, Parnell was the hardest thrower in baseball. Unfortunately, throwing that hard comes with risks, and in September 2010, elbow issues shut him down for the year.
In 2011, Parnell continued to flash his velocity, famously throwing seven straight 100-mph fastballs in a single at-bat against Miguel Cabrera. But injuries kept creeping in, and by 2012, he found himself stepping into the closer role out of necessity rather than design. He recorded his first save that year on June 28, and by 2013, he was officially the Mets’ closer, racking up 22 saves before being shut down at the end of July.
Then came 2014, and the moment every hard-throwing pitcher dreads: Tommy John surgery. Parnell tore his ulnar collateral ligament on Opening Day, and just like that, his season was over before it really started.
He returned in 2015, but it was clear he wasn’t the same. The triple-digit heat wasn’t there anymore, and the once-electric fastball looked more like a suggestion than a threat. After struggling through the summer, he was shut down again in August with arm fatigue. The Mets let him walk after the season, closing the book on a career that had some serious highs, some frustrating lows, and one undeniable fact—when Bobby Parnell was right, he could bring the heat.
Despite his ups and downs, most Mets fans might not realize that Bobby Parnell spent eight seasons with the team, making him a long-tenured member of the franchise. Bobby Parnell’s eight seasons with the Mets over the past 25 years is no small feat. In fact, only a handful of Mets have donned the uniform for longer stretches during that time. David Wright leads the charge with 14 seasons, followed by José Reyes with 12. Jeurys Familia, Jacob deGrom, Jonathon Niese and Pedro Feliciano all logged nine seasons. For a guy who wasn’t always in the spotlight, Parnell’s longevity with the Mets speaks to his reliability and durability over a period of significant roster turnover.A hard-throwing right-hander, Parnell's best season came in 2013, when he posted a stellar 2.16 ERA over 50 innings, notching 22 saves while serving as the team's closer. Though he struggled with injuries and inconsistency at times, he finished his Mets career with a respectable 3.78 ERA across 329.1 innings. His ability to generate strikeouts (7.9 K/9) and limit home runs (0.5 HR/9) helped him carve out a significant role in the bullpen, particularly during his strong 2012 and 2013 campaigns.
As we close out this deep dive into Bobby Parnell's career, it’s important to recognize the mindset and resilience that defined his time with the Mets. In a 2014 interview prior to the season, Parnell shared insights that captured his drive and perspective as a major league pitcher. When asked about his role as a closer, he emphasized the mental preparation required, noting how the ninth inning brings its own set of pressures. "In my head, I’m coming in as the closer... I have to take it away from me, so that’s my job," Parnell said, underlining his determination to own that role. But even with that confidence, he acknowledged the unpredictable nature of baseball, especially when injuries threw him off course. Despite setbacks, Parnell’s unwavering belief in his ability to bounce back was evident, and his willingness to learn from veterans like Jason Isringhausen played a key role in his development. His journey from young prospect to a reliable bullpen piece is a testament to his growth and perseverance, even in the face of adversity. As fans, we’ll always remember Parnell for more than just his fastball—he’s a symbol of tenacity in a sport that demands nothing less.
As we wrap up this week’s edition of Mets Sunday School: Forgotten Faces of Flushing, Bobby Parnell’s journey reminds us that it’s not always the flashiest or most celebrated players who leave the most lasting marks on a franchise. Through all the injuries and ups and downs, Parnell remained a reliable figure in the Mets’ bullpen for eight seasons—an achievement not easily overlooked in an era of constant change. His story serves as a reminder that even the players who don’t always make headlines are still a vital part of the team’s rich and unpredictable history. So, as we continue to explore the forgotten faces of Flushing, let’s remember that every player, no matter how fleeting their moment or how long their career, plays a role in shaping the Mets’ story. Until next week, keep your seatbelt fastened, the game ball in hand, and your memories of Mets past alive.
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