The Mets returned home to Citi Field for a pivotal Game 3 against the rival Phillies, and fans could be even more excited to see Grimace again.
Videos posted on social media show fans chanting “Let’s go Mets” around McDonald’s purple mascot in the subway on Tuesday as they all boarded the 7th train, which also happens to be the Purple Line, to the best-of-five NL Division Series. The game is tied at 1-all.
Grimace, who became an unlikely hero after he threw out the first pitch over the summer and the Mets went on a seven-game winning streak, was part of an MTA effort to get fans to take public transportation to the playoffs.
The MTA posted a photo of Grimace riding the Grimace-sticked Train 7 in the afternoon, as well as a video of subway riders dressed in orange and blue around him.
“Be like Grimace and take the train to Citi Field to watch the New York Mets in the NLDS playoffs! @McDonald’s,” the agency’s caption on TikTok read.
@mta Be like Grimace and take the train to Citi Field to watch the @New York Mets in the NLDS playoffs! @McDonald’s ♬ original sound – MTA
When the Mets left town on Sept. 22 after a Sunday night win over Philadelphia, their stated goal was to finish as a National League wild card and stick around long enough in the postseason to play in Queens again this year.
Not an easy task, they knew for sure. And with all the emotional highs they’ve enjoyed lately, it’s easy to forget that the Mets are just 5-6 overall since their last home game.
But here they are. Now, the Mets will be able to set up their own stadium on Tuesday and play in front of a friendly crowd for the first time in October.
“I expect it to be crazy,” said left-hander Sean Mania, who is scheduled to start Game 3 against Aaron Nola, with Alec Bohm relegated to the Philadelphia lineup. “This place could definitely be booming. The last two games we played here were absolutely fantastic.
“We all talked about what this place would be like,” he added. “There’s definitely a feeling of renewal. The road can be tough, but I’m looking forward to feeding off that energy.”
