It’s no secret that Mr. Met loves his Queens fans and they adore him, but the lovable mascot learned last week that his fan base reaches from coast to coast.
Mr. Met was recently chosen as the nation’s No. One sports mascot based on a number of factors, including his likability and familiarity to fans across the country.
On his way to the title, Mr. Met struck out fellow mascots, the Philly Phanatic, Benny The Bull (Chicago Bulls), The San Diego Chicken and Wally The Green Monster (Boston Red Sox).
Loyal fans are calling the decision a home run for the team—and for Queens.
“Met fans are down-to-earth, working people who love the game of baseball and don’t need a mascot that runs around the field doing stupid stunts,” Stevie Johnson, 32, said. “Mr. Met is lovable because he’s just one of the guys.”
Kieran Kelly, 6, told the Queens Gazette that Mr. Met won the title because, “He sits with kids at baseball games.”
Kelly’s father, Jamie, 30, said his daughter remembers going to a Mets game on her sixth birthday, and how Mr. Met sat beside her, patting her on the head and clapping when he learned it was her “special day”.
The Astoria second-grader said she has a tee-shirt with a photo taken on that day. “Mr. Met has his arm around her in the photo,” Jamie Kelly said.
Mr. Met, who never speaks a word, showed his appreciation in a photo released last week by team officials.
A beaming Mr. Met, smiling seam-to-seam across his big baseball head, is holding a sign in the photo that reads, “Thank You!”
—Liz Goff