Getty Image / Adam Hunger
On June 12, the Mets were 28-37, well out of the playoff picture, and rumors about what star players could be traded at the deadline were swirling. Then came Grimace, a McDonald’s mascot, to throw out the first pitch on June 12.
After that first pitch, the Mets caught fire, winning seven in a row, finishing the year 61-36, the best team in baseball since that day. They’ve carried the Grimace magic into the playoffs, as they are into the NLCS after dramatic series wins over the Brewers and Phillies.
Ahead of the crucial Game 3 between the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, McDonald’s took advantage of the folk hero that will live in the minds of Mets fans forever. There’s a massive Grimace billboard in Times Square.
Grimace is in Times Square for the Mets ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/PdHsguygbv
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) October 16, 2024
As a Mets fan, I’ve fully embraced the Grimace magic. Nothing else can explain how this team went from being downright awful in May to world-beaters the rest of the season. There has been other Mets memes, too, Hawk Tuah Girl threw out a first pitch, the first home game of the season featured a veteran of the game named Seymour Weiner, and 2nd baseman Jose Iglesias made a hit Latin Pop song called OMG that has become a team anthem.
Who knows if the Mets can carry this magic all the way to their first World Series since 1986. But, it’s been a great ride.