Die-hard Mets fans welcome surge in fandom as team continues Amazin’ postseason run
These are Amazin’ times in the Big Apple.
The city streets are bleeding orange and blue — as New Yorkers from all walks of life unite to cheer on the red-hot Mets’ playoff run.
“I think a lot more people are showing pride now. They’re happy that the team is performing well and everyone is excited,” Joe Lorenzo, 38, of New Jersey, told The Post before boarding the 7-train to Citi Field ahead of Game 4 of the NLDS.
That pride was plastered across the city Wednesday.
Baristas were seen sporting Mets baseball caps and doormen donned Mets-detailed ties, while bars and restaurants hosted watch parties across all five boroughs
Even decals of Grimace — the team’s good-luck mascot — were smeared across the 7-train in honor of the Mets.
“Even Yankee fans are like, ‘Let’s go Mets!'” Zach Leighton, 33, said of the electric energy in the city this week. “We’re a team that you never thought was going to make it this year — the wonder team.”
“There’s a lot of respect,” his partner Yoela Koplow, 28, added.
“I don’t know about fair-weather fans, necessarily, but I think people are kind of latching on to the ridiculousness, all the silliness we’ve had this season: Grimace, the pumpkin, the dog. All those things, and I feel like we’re just responding the Mets kind of clawing their way up.”
The fandom has exploded in recent weeks — but long-suffering Mets fans were more than happy to welcome newcomers into the fold.
Lorenzo, who “always wears” his #12 Francisco Lindor jersey, has noticed a surge in fair-weather fans sporting Mets regalia over the last week, but said the team is one of the most welcoming franchises around.
“There’s always room on the bandwagon, I guess. Now is a good time to jump on,” Lorenzo said.
The Mets boom began with the team’s heart-stopping, rollercoaster performance last week against the Braves when they clinched a spot in the MLB playoffs’ Wild Card round.
The Mets have since carried the momentum through a narrow victory against the Brewers the Wild Card playoff — before jumping out to 2-1 lead over the Phillies in the division series.
The team is now just one win away from advancing to the National League Champions Series, giving them their first chance to return to the World Series since 2015, when they lost to Kansas City in five games.
That excitement hasn’t created new fans, theorized Caragh Corsi, 48, of the Upper West Side — instead, the rare performance by the Mets is making long-dormant fans reemerge.
“All energy is positive energy. If they want to be a fan and cheer for them, we’ll take it. I don’t think there are too many fair-weather Mets fans because there’s not generally a lot to be really excited about,” Corsi said as she boarded the 7-train.
Corsi, who donned a Gary Carter jersey to watch the game live, wished to see both the Yankees and the Mets make it to the World Series for a true New York bananza.
“I think a Subway Series would be awesome,” she said. “Also we’d kick their ass.”
Financial advisor Sean Yoo, who bought a light Mets jacket at the Manhattan MLB store on his way to Wednesday’s game, said he’d love to face the Yankees in the series.
“We would like to see who is the best team in New York in the year of 2024,” he said. We are going to beat the Yankees … I’d like to see that of course in New York and for all New Yorkers to have a festival within the city.”
In Brooklyn, Mark Cerulli noticed a surge in Mets regalia throughout his Windsor Park neighborhood — and noted that the rise of bandwagon fans is a large topic of discussion among the long-suffering Mets fans.
“I think it’s nice! I’m glad that they’re coming out in support and everywhere I go people are screaming, ‘Let’s go Mets!’ It makes me feel really good,” Cerulli said.
Hari Patel, 30, walked into the store ahead of Wednesday’s game wearing a Mets cap but left with $400 worth of the team’s merchandise — which included a postseason T-shirt, Francisco Lindor jersey and a Mets jacket.
“I’m going to the game. I have to buy some things. I can’t go without my gears. It’s a big game,” said Patel, who noted he’s been “hooked” ever since seeing the Mets play at Shea Stadium when he was 10-years-old.
“I believe in them, you gotta believe now,” she said. “We won so many close games. It’s been nine years since we made it back here. I have to believe we can go all the way.”
