The New York Mets Players Are Booing Their Own Fans
Photo Via: Wendell Cruz — USA TODAY SportsIt is something I have never seen before: the Mets players led by Javy Báez, Francisco Lindor, and Kevin Pillar, are engaging in conflict with their own fan base. During the series against the Nationals, the three players gestured a thumbs-down toward the crowd. Nobody in the crowd knew the meaning, so life went on.
But in a post-game press conference on Sunday, Báez was asked about the gesture. Here is what he said:
“When I strike out and I get booed, it doesn’t really get to me, but I want to let them know that when we (have) success, we’re going to do the same thing, to let them know how it feels. Because if we win together, we’ve got to lose together. The fans are a really big part of it. In my case, they’ve got to be better. I play for the fans, I love the fans, but if they’re gonna do that, they’re just putting more pressure on the team and that’s not what we want.”
At this moment, my jaw hit the ground. Mets players are booing their own fans. The fans who have stuck around every year since their last title in 1986. The fans who have seen crushing losses, epic collapses, and a circus in the front office for years. The players are booing them and making it public.
Not to mention, Báez just arrived in Queens. Lindor has not even had a full season with the Mets. Kevin Pillar just showed up this offseason as well. The chemistry between these players and the fans has barely been established. Now, it may be irreparably damaged. Báez is set to become a free agent this offseason, but Lindor is on year-one of a ten-year deal.
The Mets have lost 12 of their last 16 games. They dropped from first place to third in the NL East and currently have a 0.4% chance of making the Postseason, per Baseball Reference. This team is in no position to be worrying about what its fans think. Just a few weeks ago, Pete Alonso told Mets fans to “smile” and said, “We got this.” Marcus Stroman refused to answer questions from the media following a loss. The Mets need to stop thinking about their own likability and focus on winning baseball games.
Mets’ President Sandy Alderson even released a statement on the mess.
From top to bottom, this is one of the most absurd stories I have seen. Championship teams never blame or address their fans as anything other than “the best fans in the world.” The New York Mets have some housekeeping to do.