It is well known that Chicago Cubs fans are expected to hit opposing teams’ home runs at Wrigley Field.
On Saturday, Cubs fans seemed to convince a New York Mets fan that that was the rule for visiting fans, too, to the withering disapproval of the Mets’ SNY broadcasters.
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez started the fun in the fifth inning, when he hit a solo home run with New York trailing 6-0. The ball made its way to a fan wearing a Mets hat in left center field, who picked it up and then appeared to start singing “Let’s Go Mets.”
Several Cubs fans could be seen responding to his chant, and the sequence ended with him launching his own team’s home run. SNY play-by-play announced that Steve Gelbs and color commentator Ron Darling were not fans of the decision:
“That’s too much peer pressure, grow a spine, man.”
“He is obviously not a leader.”
“Grow a man a backbone.”
“He is obviously not a leader.”
The Mets announcers criticized this Mets fan for being bullied into throwing the ball back. pic.twitter.com/P3RcEXQsWZ
– Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 22, 2024
A malleable fan was far from the Mets’ only problem on Saturday, as the game ended up being an 8-1 Cubs victory.
The Cubs took a 5-0 lead in the first inning, sending all nine batters to the plate against Mets starter Tylor Megill. Christopher Morel and Cody Bellinger homered later in the game, and former Mets catcher Tomás Nido contributed an RBI double.
The loss is the Mets’ second in three games, putting the team at risk of losing momentum from their Grimace streak. The team remains in fourth place in the National League East at 36-39, while the Cubs maintain the same position in the NL Central Division at 37-40.
