When Mets reliever Erik Goeddel was assigned to Triple-A at the end of spring training, he sought an apartment for what he expected to be a second straight year in Las Vegas. He was touring a unit with a real-estate agent when his phone rang. Wally Backman, manager of the Las Vegas 51s, was calling with good news.

Less than 48 hours after Opening Day—and mere minutes before he had committed to a lease—Goeddel had been summoned to the major leagues.

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