Right back at you, boo birds.
The Mets’ disappointing season took a different kind of jaw-dropping turn Sunday, when Javier Baez said the new “thumbs-down” sign players have been displaying on the bases is directed at the Citi Field fans.
Baez, Francisco Lindor and Kevin Pillar were among the players who turned thumbs down after delivering hits in the Mets’ 9-4 victory over the Nationals.
Asked about the thumbs down, Baez said it was related to the boos Mets players have received. The Mets are 8-19 in August, a stretch in which they have fallen from first in the NL East to trailing the Braves by 7 ½ games.
“[It’s] to let [fans] know when we don’t have success we are going to get booed, so they are going to get booed when we have success,” Baez said.
Hours later, Baez’s message was sternly rebuked in a statement issued by team president Sandy Alderson.
“These comments, and any gestures by [Baez] or other players with similar intent, are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Alderson said, adding that he will be meeting with players and staff to convey the message directly. “Mets fans are understandably frustrated over the team’s recent performance. The players and the organization are equally frustrated, but fans at Citi Field have every right to express their own disappointment. Booing is every fan’s right.”
Baez blasted a two-run homer in the fourth inning and offered the thumbs down salute. Throughout the homestand he has received smatterings of boos, following his return from the injured list the previous weekend. Baez, who arrived at the trade deadline from the Cubs, owns a .210/.258/.452 slash line in 17 games for the Mets.
“We are not machines, we are going to struggle,” Baez said. “We are going to struggle seven times out of 10. It just feels bad. When I strike out, I get booed, it really doesn’t get to me, but I want to let [the fans] know that when we have success we are going to do the same thing to let them know how it feels, because if we win together then we are going to lose together and the fans are really a big part of it.”
Baez was asked if he was the force behind the thumbs down signal.
“It was my opinion — that is how I feel,” he said. “I love the fans and I like playing for the fans, but we can’t have our fans against us.”
Responding to a fan asking if the Mets were booing their fans, after saying the fans love the team, Pillar wrote: “Love y’all too! Felt nothing but love in NYC. No I’m not booing the fans. We are having fun. No different than earlier this year when we were churving. please don’t look to much into this.”
Marcus Stroman backed his teammate up, saying, “FACTS! Media always searching for anything to cause controversy. Stop playing into these narratives. It’s all fake bullshit. We won today. That’s all that matters. On to the next not dwelling in the past…same mindset we’ve had all year! Thankful for this squad!”
Lindor on various occasions this season has said it “sucks” being booed. The shortstop, who received a 10-year contract extension before the season worth $341 million, has been among the team’s primary underachievers, with a .224/.317/.370 slash line in 92 games. Lindor returned on this homestand after missing more than a month with a strained right oblique. Lindor has turned thumbs down toward the crowd in recent days.
Manager Luis Rojas, who last week was serenaded to a “Fire Rojas” chant at Citi Field, indicated he was unaware of the meaning behind the thumbs down signal.
“I didn’t know that’s what [Baez] meant,” Rojas said. “They have been doing all sorts of salutes from the dugout and … the bases. I didn’t know there was any intention of giving anything back to the fans.
“I think our job is to prepare and come out and play the best version of baseball that the fan base needs. We prepare every day as a team, as a family, we want to win for the organization, we want to win for ourselves, we want to win for our front office and owner and we want to win for our families.”
In his statement Alderson praised the fans.
“Mets fans are loyal, passionate, knowledgeable, and more than willing to express themselves,” he said. “We love them for every one of these qualities.”