Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

New Mets outfielder Keon Broxton is the super-fast, home run-robbing king of the post-catch celebration

The Mets are going to seem like a brand-new team when they take the field this spring. New York legend Robinson Canó will be lining up at the keystone, Edwin Díaz will be closing out games and, after a trade with the Brewers this past weekend, Keon Broxton will see some action in center field. 
If you haven't seen Broxton yet, don't feel bad. Loaded with tools and the kind of explosive talent that makes baseball scouts sound like Bigfoot enthusiasts screaming about how they once saw a man fly straight across the outfield to make a catch that God himself would have watched drop in for two bases, Broxton's streakiness at the plate means he's averaged only 265 plate appearances over the last three seasons. 
But when he's on the field, there's only one word for him: Wow. Despite only 51 games last season, Broxton was 22nd in the league in Outs Above Average with 7. There's not a situation when he's ever actually trapped on the basepaths

He also has no fear of the wall -- regularly leaping to rob home runs. That makes it especially fitting that he's joined the Mets, as their most enduring defensive gem is Endy Chavez going high over the wall to rob Scott Rolen in the 2006 NLCS. Get ready for plenty of cover songs from Broxton next year. 
However, while the former Brewers center fielder is among the game's most skilled defenders, he is the undisputed best at celebrating once the robbery has been completed. 
While he showed off a tremendous vertical leap when he robbed Brian Dozier of a home run, he showed off some pretty great hops on his celebration afterward: 

The best moment is toward the end of the clip when you can see him take a quick moment to peek at the scoreboard and admire his handiwork. 
That catch came one day after he had robbed Joe Mauer of a home run. Broxton couldn't help but smile and be awed by his own talent: 

The outfielder's best came in 2017, though. With the Brewers leading by one in the ninth inning, the Cardinals had a runner on first when Randal Grichuk hit a deep drive. Broxton raced back and, with his glove reaching high above the wall, robbed Grichuk of a game-winner. The catch was big, so naturally, Broxton's celebration had to be bigger. 
The catch: Good. Very good, in fact. 

The celebration: Even better. This gets everyone -- from his teammates to the fans in the stands -- in on the action. 

Of course, it's not just home run robberies that put Broxton in the mood to party. Even routine snags are enough, as he proved with this dab: 

Between Broxton's celebrations and Brandon Nimmo's infectious smile, the Mets outfield should be a very fun place in 2019. 

BarberJordan
beephero
AP_702417634020
NYC