David Stearns, of the Mets, credits Francisco Alvarez as the team’s recent hot streak’s igniter.

Without a doubt, a collective effort went into the Mets’ season turnaround in less than a month. With just one or two players, very few teams can go from 22-33 to 39-39 with a 17-6 run. Despite this, David Stearns, president of baseball operations, didn’t let it stop him from presenting Francisco Alvarez with flowers on Friday in appreciation of his contributions to the team.

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In response to a query about who has spurred New York’s current remarkable run, Stearns singled out the rookie catcher who has missed six weeks due to a thumb injury this year.

We can all see Alvy’s impact on the team, in my opinion, according to Stearns. “It’s evident in the way we’ve performed both during his active periods and, to be honest, during his inactive ones.”

The Mets are an absurd 22-3 in their past 25 games with Alvarez in the mound. New York went 18-28 when he was taken out in April after he slipped awkwardly into the second base bag and sprained his thumb, necessitating surgery.

The Mets have roared back into the NL Wild Card race since Alvarez’s return on June 11. They are now 11-3 and only one game off of the final slot, and they are frantically hammering on the door.

Of course, Alvarez isn’t the only player on the Mets that has started to play to their potential; in addition, there have been a few unexpected performances, making New York one of the most exciting teams in baseball.

“Some of our better players have become hot all at once, and when you do that, your lineup gets longer and you can score runs in bunches, which is what we’ve been able to do,” Stearns stated.

In addition, Alvarez deserves credit for improving the pitching in addition to the Mets offense, which has been a formidable force lately.

“A catcher’s significance and ability to affect the entire game is a contributing factor in some of that,” Stearns remarked. It can have a significant effect when a catcher hits the ball on both sides.

In addition to his obvious skills, Alvarez’s intangibles provide something special to the game that sets him apart from other players.

According to all reports, the 22-year-old, who is only in his second major league season, is a dedicated worker who aspires to be the greatest in his field. Despite rumors that his catching skills were lacking prior to his call-up, his hard work has paid off as he has excelled at major league defense, play calling, and pitch framing.

In addition to his strong work ethic, Alvarez is a pleasant and upbeat presence in the dugout and locker room—something you would anticipate from a young player. The zeal with which Alvarez plays was a breath of fresh air during a season that could have easily gone south, and it looks to mesh well with a team that has excellent chemistry this year.

“When you’re not playing great baseball, it’s difficult to always have great chemistry, vibes, and enthusiasm. Given how often we are all around each other, I believe it’s also difficult to continue playing excellent baseball if you don’t have the chemistry, the energy, or the vibes,” Stearns stated. “So, I believe that goes hand in hand, and I’m not sure what produces what, but it’s enjoyable to have a group like that that takes pleasure in being around one another.”