Mets fans display sign of the times at Citi Field in wake of 12-game losing streak
A fan wears a bag on his head during the ninth inning of a game between the Mets and Minnesota Twins at Citi Field on Tuesday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Mets fans are angry, and who could blame them?
The team returned to Citi Field for Tuesday night’s series opener against the Twins as owners of an 11-game losing streak and the National League’s worst record (7-15).
Although there were plenty of empty seats Tuesday night, an announced 32,798 fans still were in attendance, including cousins Brandon Maltese, 29, and Kyle Maltese, 25, of Massapequa. They walked into the ballpark with a sign reading “PLAY LIKE YOU MEAN IT!”
From left: Cousins Brandon Maltese, 29, and Kyle Maltese, 25, of Massapequa outside Citi Field on Tuesday. Credit: Ben Dickson
It didn’t make any difference to the final outcome though, as the Mets lost their 12th in a row, 5-3.
The message encapsulated how many Mets fans feel with the team spiraling: frustrated, but ultimately a bit hopeful with 139 games remaining.
“A lot of lifeless games where the players look like they don't care,” Kyle said. “But you know what? Long season ahead. So a lot of time to change that, and hopefully they could do it here in this home stretch.”
Said Brandon: “We’re here. We got good seats. We want them to see the sign. We want them to take this on the road with them, if possible, just so they can try and snap out of this. It's been terrible. Hard team to watch, but you got to believe. That's why we're here. It's why we wear the blue and orange.”
Joe Pipia, 62, of East Rockaway, attended the game with his daughter Olivia. He said that he’s “never experienced anything like this” and “the team looks very flat.”
Joe Pipia of East Rockaway with his daughter Olivia Pipia. Credit: Ben Dickson
“It's hard to watch them,” Pipia said. “It's just not exciting baseball whatsoever. Firing Carlos (Mendoza) is not the answer because it's too early in the season, but I just think they're lacking chemistry compared to what they had last year with (Pete) Alonso and (Brandon) Nimmo and (Jeff) McNeil.
“So I understand they wanted to break it up because they weren't getting anywhere, but this doesn't look any better.”
Juan Soto, who has not played since April 3 with a right calf strain, is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday. Since the Mets’ losing streak began on April 8, their offense has been the worst in baseball by many metrics, including runs scored, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Soto’s return couldn’t come at a better time, but fans recognize a turnaround will take more than just him.
“Well, he can't do it by himself,” said Eddie Hood, 57, of Ronkonkoma. “These guys got to do it hit by hit, and hopefully we get an 11-game winning streak going.”
Hank Deegan, 60, of Mineola, is “not jumping on the panic bandwagon because it's April” but “would like to see them figure it out sooner rather than later.”
From left: Mets fans Dan Wallace, Chris Deegan, Hank Deegan and Michael Brosnan. Credit: Ben Dickson
“I wouldn't change anything yet,” he said.
Some Mets fans were agitated by owner Steve Cohen’s X post after the Mets had lost their seventh straight game last Tuesday in Los Angeles. He said he saw some “green shoots” in the 2-1 loss and concluded the post with a message to the Mets faithful, writing: “Hang in there fans, we will turn this around !”
“He's just trying to pacify the fans before they jump ship,” Pipia said. “I mean, you can see the parking lot’s empty. I know it's cold tonight, but still. I'm sure if they were winning a lot more, there'd be a lot more people here.”
Said Kyle Maltese: “(Cohen) likes to look at the bright side of things. . . . When you're a Mets fan and you've seen the failure year after year, it's hard to believe that they are gonna make it happen.
“But it's more fun to believe as a Mets fan than to just be a Debbie Downer all the time.”
Other fans have even pointed to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a curse leading to the team’s slide, as the Mets lost 10 straight after he hugged Mr. and Mrs. Met on April 9. The New York Post’s front-page headline Tuesday was “CURSE OF THE MAMBINO.” He addressed the topic Tuesday, when he made an early childcare announcement in Brooklyn neighborhood Boerum Hill.
“I'll first say that there's a lot of baseball left to be played,” Mamdani said. “And I am still keeping the faith, as I know that many Mets fans are across the city, though I will accept being addressed as Mayor Mambino for the day.”
But only one thing truly can turn the tide.
“Score more runs,” Brandon Maltese said. “Play like you mean it.”
Newsday’s Matthew Chayes contributed to this story.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
