It started like it often does with the New York Mets – losing, disappointment and mounting fan frustration.
Seven months later, the Mets are the hottest — and most viral — team in Major League Baseball, and now they’re waiting to learn their opponent in the National League Championship Series.
GettyStarling Marte celebrated another viral moment with New York Mets fans[/caption]
The Mets are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2015, when they eventually lost the “Subway Series” World Series to the cross-town rival New York Yankees.
After overcoming the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the NL Division Series, a surreal season – which included an eventful trip to the UK for the London Series – is set up for more October magic.
“I want to win it all. And ours will be a team that will forever be remembered,” said Francisco Lindor, who hit a sixth-inning grand slam that led the resilient Mets to a 4-1 win over the Phillies before 44,103 fans at raucous Citi Field.
“This will be a team that comes every 10 years and eats for free everywhere they go. And I want to do that. I want to do that. But the job is not done.”
The Mets fired veteran manager Buck Showalter after a disappointing 75-87 finish last season, marking the fifth time in six years that New York moved on from its skipper.
To start the 2024 campaign, the Mets began 0-5, then fell to 24-35 on June 2.
They were 11 games below .500 and their season was effectively over.
Until the Mets went viral.
Grimace, a McDonald’s character who’s best known for being large and purple, threw out a humorous first pitch in June when New York was still below average.
GettyThe Mets knew how to party after beating the Philadelphia Phillies[/caption]
GettyJose Iglesias is the OMG king for the Mets, who turned around their season[/caption]
“Easily one of the greatest moments in Mets history,” one fan sarcastically tweeted.
“Grimace be our closer, I’m begging you,” another fan posted.
What followed changed Mets history and could end up with New York back in the Fall Classic.
The Mets went 66-38 after Grimace threw out the first pitch.
They’re also a perfect 4-0 with a McDonald’s character who mostly says “duh” in attendance.
Grimace has now taken the 7-line subway train to watch the fun-loving Mets in person, and the team is 8-1 since his purple seat was installed in the stands.
“Thank you Grimace, we made the postseason because of you,” one fan tweeted.
“Me in 2100 talking to my grandson: ‘And ever since then, the Mets never lost a game,’ ” a second fan wrote.
Throw in a good-luck playoff pumpkin, Hawk Tuah’s first pitch, a “rally pimp,” a military veteran called Seymour Weiner, and a hot dog-eating dog in Mets gear, and New York has become much more than just another baseball club best known for OMG and Jose Iglesias, whose scorcher hit No. 1 on the iTunes Latin Pop charts in June.
The Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves are already out of the MLB playoffs.
Led by David Stearns in the front office, plus Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso and MVP contender Lindor at the plate, a franchise that often rates second in New York is now the hottest team in October.
And easily the most viral.
“Grimace bringing the good vibes to Citi Field!” one fan tweeted.
Outfielder Brandon Nimmo had tears in his eyes when the Mets advanced again in the postseason — they entered a decisive Game 3 at Milwaukee in the NL wild-card round trailing 2-0 entering the ninth inninig.
Mets fans were delirious, fully believing in a team that needed a brilliant first pitch from Grimace to save the 2024 season.
“This is the kind of stuff that I was dreaming about,” Nimmo said.
“This has been a long time coming. We wanted it so bad for our fan base.”
Now, the magic continues, and Grimace already has a seat if the viral Mets return to the World Series.
