Former Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell goes viral for hilarious quip about former Vols teammate Drew Gilbert
Earlier this week, former Tennessee Vols RHP Blade Tidwell received the news that he's been waiting to hear for nearly his entire life. Tidwell, a second round selection by the New York Mets in the 2022 MLB Draft, is set to make his major league debut on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Mets […]
Earlier this week, former Tennessee Vols RHP Blade Tidwell received the news that he's been waiting to hear for nearly his entire life.
Tidwell, a second round selection by the New York Mets in the 2022 MLB Draft, is set to make his major league debut on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Mets will start Tidwell in game one of a split double header against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.
Tidwell, who started the 2025 season in Triple-A with the Syracuse Mets, told reporters that when he received the news that he's getting called up, he picked up his 12-week-old Cavapoo puppy named Bentley, walked outside barefoot, and called his parents.
Unfortunately for Tidwell, Bentley won't be making the trip to St. Louis. Instead, Tidwell is leaving the 12-week-old Cavapoo in Syracuse with Mets outfielder Drew Gilbert.
Tidwell and Gilbert were teammates at Tennessee for two seasons.
"We left it (the puppy) back in Syracuse with Gilbert," said Tidwell when asked about Bentley.
"Do you trust [Gilbert]?" asked a reporter.
"Not really," quickly responded Tidwell.
Bentley and Gilbert might be joining Tidwell in the big leagues in the not-too-distant future.
Gilbert, who missed most of the 2024 season due to injury, is off to a hot start in the minor leagues in 2025.
The former Tennessee outfielder hit .375 in six rehab games with Single-A St Lucie (during what was essentially a rehab assignment) before getting promoted to Syracuse. In 13 games at the Triple-A level this season, Gilbert is slashing .275/.426/.425 with 10 walks to only nine strikeouts.
Gilbert actually hit his first Triple-A home run of the season on Saturday.
The Mets don't have a longterm answer at centerfield, but Gilbert is an option that the team will likely consider at some point in 2025.
