“Well, I don’t know what rock bottom feels like, but this seems like it’s awfully close,” Mets announcer Gary Cohen said in the spring of 2024. The Mets’ season seemed to be unraveling before it even began, with bullpen struggles, hitting slumps, and tension in the clubhouse. Despite a competent roster on paper, the Mets found themselves sitting at the bottom of the division, with a pitching staff ERA over 5.00 and a team batting average that ranked among the lowest in the league at .232. This slow start left fans frustrated and wondering if the season was already a lost cause. The fans weren’t the only ones frustrated, in a moment encompassing all of the Mets disappointment and struggle over the years Mets pitcher Jorge López hurled his glove into the stands after being ejected against the Dodgers. When questioned, López vented, saying, “I think I’ve been on the worst team in probably the whole fucking MLB.” It was a painful scene, one that seemed to capture years of disappointment and frustration with a franchise that had often fallen short in big moments.
The Mets were determined to change the narrative. On June 12, Grimace threw the first pitch for the Mets, turning the tide. The Mets followed this game with 7 straight wins while averaging .302 at the plate igniting a fire for the Mets that was tough to put out. The Mets then surged into July, winning 23 out of 30 games, climbing back into playoff contention, and instilling belief in their fans. By midseason, they transformed what looked to be a disaster of a team into a juggernaut.
The Mets kept the bats hot ending the regular season 67-40, and first-year Mets manager Carlos Mendoza defied the expectations that they would once again be disappointments. Their turnaround wasn’t just improbable; it was historic.
The Mets flawlessly transitioned from the regular season into October and continued to feed off of the pressure in big moments.
In the postseason, Mets captain Francisco Lindor ensured this fire wasn’t extinguished, batting leadoff, Lindor set the tone for the Mets consistently making plays defensively and creating opportunities for the team. Next to the plate, Mets rookie Mark Vientos couldn’t be stopped in October, hitting .367 with five home runs, making himself a name in New York. While already a household name in the City, Pete Alonso created the most memorable moment of the season while wearing Grimace customized shoes. Alonso hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the 9th against the Brewers, re-energizing the Mets. His homer lifted the Mets through the Wild Card and turned Citi Field into a scary place for opponents. It was the kind of moment Mets fans had been waiting years to experience.
The playoffs proved that this wasn’t the same old Mets. Facing one tough team after another, the Mets played with a grit and resilience that shocked everyone, winning and fighting through tight games with a record of 28-16 in one score games and led the league in comeback games totaling 45 comeback wins this season.
When they finally reached the National League Championship Series, all of Queens was behind them. Though they ultimately fell two games short of the World Series, the 2024 Mets had rewritten their narrative. Reflecting on the season, Gary Cohen encapsulated the remarkable journey with words Mets fans won’t soon forget: “When you’re lying around during the offseason anticipating the next one and you think about what the 2024 Mets were all about, you won’t be able to keep yourself from smiling. Remember the talk over the winter? Transitional year. They’re punting on the season. Well, they’ve kicked all the way to the sixth game of the National League Championship Series.”
For a fanbase accustomed to disappointment, the 2024 Mets delivered a season that was the opposite. They fought, they surprised, and they created memories that will last a lifetime. This team, once predicted to crumble, showed resilience, growth, and heart, leaving Mets fans with something they hadn’t felt in years: pride.