Many times when he was asked to put the New York Mets’ season into perspective, manager Carlos Mendoza said the scenes could easily be made into a book or movie.
He had a point.
It wasn’t just that the Mets overcame a lot to get within two wins of a trip to the World Series. Certainly, there were challenges. But there were also so many fun moments. So many interesting moments. So many hard-to-believe moments.
Here’s a rundown of the 24 craziest moments from the 2024 Mets. They are ranked based on a combination of how consequential and unbelievable they were.
Yes, they all really happened.
Jeff McNeil, Rhys Hoskins, Yohan Ramírez and a brewing mess (March 30)
Unbelievable: 6
Consequential: 4
In the first series of the season, Jeff McNeil took exception to the way Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins slid into second base. Later, reliever Yohan Ramírez whizzed a fastball behind Hoskins. Ramírez, whose time with the Mets didn’t last much longer, got suspended for two games. Hoskins continued to torment the Mets.
J.D. Martinez needs new cleats (July 2)
Unbelievable: 8
Consequential: 2
Martinez revealed that his ankle soreness, which forced him to miss a game, stemmed from the lack of his preferred cleats. He regularly wears high-tops, custom for his feet. Others just won’t do. The next day, three fresh boxes of royal blue Adidas cleats arrived in the clubhouse.
Former Mets reliever mocks the OMG celebration (Aug. 14)
Unbelievable: 7
Consequential: 3
The only player who made the Mets’ celebratory “OMG” gesture in a loss to the Athletics at Citi Field was Austin Adams, the reliever New York dealt to Oakland in March for cash. In a game in which the Mets lacked energy, Adams was sure fired up.
The Pirates hit so many HRs off the Mets that they ran out of fireworks (July 5)
Unbelievable: 7
Consequential: 3
In hindsight, perhaps the folks at PNC Park shouldn’t have used so many fireworks the day before to celebrate July 4th. It was hard to blame them, though. After all, Pittsburgh was one of the worst-hitting teams in baseball. No matter; they hit eight home runs in a 14-2 win over the Mets.
Luis Severino throws a shutout (Aug. 17)
Unbelievable: 5
Consequential: 7
So much for workload concerns. Severino threw 113 pitches — his most since throwing 115 on Aug. 3, 2018. The crowd at Citi Field erupted in the ninth inning when Mendoza allowed Severino to finish the game after a mound visit.
Conversation on a flight leads to Francisco Lindor batting leadoff (May 18)
Unbelievable: 4
Consequential: 9
On a flight to Miami from Philadelphia, Mendoza chatted with Francisco Lindor about batting leadoff. Lindor’s only reservation: He wanted Mendoza to give the experiment a solid runway. Lindor ended up remaining at leadoff the rest of the way after the Mets’ offense took off.
Mets honor a veteran named Seymour Weiner (March 29)
Unbelievable: 9
Consequential: 4
In a season full of viral moments, Seymour Weiner was the first. Fitting, considering he’s 97. On Opening Day, the Mets introduced Weiner as their veteran of the game. They insisted that they didn’t think much of his name.
Jake Diekman strikes out Aaron Judge, Mets sweep Yankees (July 23)
Unbelievable: 6
Consequential: 8
There’s no denying Jake Diekman had his Mets moment. With a runner on first and one out in the ninth inning, Diekman struck out Aaron Judge to preserve a 3-2 win. The next day, the Mets beat the Yankees again to take all four games of the year’s Subway Series. Diekman was designated for assignment just six days later.
Francisco Lindor doesn’t start because of the flu, then helps Mets to a walk-off win (May 2)
Unbelievable: 7
Consequential: 7
After exiting one game because of flu-like symptoms, Lindor was absent from the lineup the next day. Still, he begged to get in the game. When he did, he made a difference. First, he had a pinch hit, two-run double in the sixth inning. Then his walk-off, two-run double in the 11th gave the Mets a 7-6 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Mets narrowly avoid getting no-hit in the ninth inning of a game — twice (May 11 and Sept. 11)
Unbelievable: 8
Consequential: 8
With one out in the ninth inning, J.D. Martinez spoiled the Atlanta Braves’ bid for a combined no-hitter with a solo home run. Atlanta still won the game, 4-1. Four months later to the day, Lindor led off the ninth inning against Toronto Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis with a home run. They then added five more runs for an improbable 6-2 win in the heat of a playoff chase.
Wild double play caps Mets win in London (June 9)
Unbelievable: 8
Consequential: 8
A reporter from London told Mendoza that this would pass as “squeaky bum time.” Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos hit a ball just in front of home plate, where Mets catcher Luis Torrens grabbed it, stepped backward to touch home then fired to first just as pinch runner Garrett Stubbs was knocking him over with a slide. It was the first game-ending, 2-3 ground-ball double play.
In a three-day span, Mark Vientos gets promoted, hits a walk-off home run then gets optioned to Triple A (April 28)
Unbelievable: 7
Consequential: 9
At the time, Vientos was merely filling in for Starling Marte, who was away from the team for a few days. In May, the Mets realized Vientos should be in the major leagues for good. He then had a terrific season before having an outstanding postseason. As far as pre-September walk-off wins go, this one and Jesse Winker’s walk-off home run in August top the list.
Brandon Nimmo faints in a hotel room (July 1)
Unbelievable: 9
Consequential: 7
Nimmo missed just one game. But it could’ve been a lot worse. He showed up at the ballpark with a bandage on his forehead after time in the hospital. He had gone to the bathroom, cramped up, fainted and hit his head. Fortunately, he had called the Mets’ training staff upon waking up.
Kodai Senga returns from the injured list, makes a start, goes back on the injured list (July 26)
Unbelievable: 7
Consequential: 9
Senga was originally sidelined in February with a shoulder injury. In his lone regular-season start, he hurt his calf running out of the way of an infield popup. What if he had returned, stayed healthy and the Mets went to a six-man rotation? Could they have avoided their starters running out of gas by the NLCS?
Sean Manaea watches Chris Sale from the dugout and completely changes how he pitches (July 27)
Unbelievable: 7
Consequential: 9
Already having a solid season, Manaea suddenly lowered his arm slot to mimic Sale and became one of the best pitchers in the National League during the second half of the season. Rarely do pitchers make such profound changes mid-season let alone have it work out to such a degree. In another memorable moment, Manaea honored his late aunt by pitching a gem against the Phillies in the NLDS.
The Temptations sing ‘My Girl’ at Citi Field before Game 5 of the NLCS (Oct. 18)
Unbelievable: 10
Consequential: 6
Lindor switched his walk-up tune to ‘My Girl’ months before, but it wasn’t until the playoffs that the crowd got really into it, singing along. The Mets then got The Temptations to make a pit stop at Citi Field while on tour.
The Mets lose their first five games (April 4)
Unbelievable: 9
Consequential: 8
As the camera showed a mostly empty Citi Field, SNY play-by-play great Gary Cohen wondered aloud if the Mets had hit rock bottom. Things later got worse. But then things got much, much, much better.
Edwin Díaz gets ejected, suspended for sticky stuff (June 23)
Unbelievable: 8
Consequential: 9
Díaz became the biggest name to get suspended for sticky stuff since Max Scherzer in 2023. Díaz’s 10-game suspension put the Mets’ bullpen in a bind at a time when no lead felt safe.
Grimace throws out a ceremonial first pitch (June 12)
Unbelievable: 9
Consequential: 10
After the famous first pitch, the Mets went on a long winning streak. People dressed up as the fast-food character. It never ceased being a thing. It only became bigger, with a seat at Citi Field dedicated to the moment.
José Iglesias puts on a postgame concert and sings ‘OMG’ (June 28)
Unbelievable: 10
Consequential: 10
For Iglesias, this was a dream come true. He introduced his hit song “OMG” about a month earlier. Quickly, it drummed up the vibes of the season.
Jorge López tosses his glove as Mets fall 11 games below .500, leading to Francisco Lindor calling a team meeting (May 29)
Unbelievable: 10
Consequential: 10
This was the Mets’ lowest point. They immediately let go of López. Then the players preached accountability. From here, everything changed.
Lindor’s home run helps Mets clinch a postseason berth (Sept. 30)
Unbelievable: 10
Consequential: 10
The Mets needed to play a makeup doubleheader against the Braves on the final day of the season. The opener was one of the wildest regular-season games in recent memory.
Pete Alonso extends Mets’ playoff run with 3-run home run (Oct. 3)
Unbelievable: 10
Consequential: 10
At the time, Alonso’s blast off Brewers closer Devin Williams saved the Mets’ season. They were facing elimination with one out in the ninth inning. Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose put it best when he said it was the biggest home run of Alonso’s career. While soaked with beer in a celebration for advancing afterward, Alonso introduced his “Playoff Pumpkin.”
Lindor’s grand slam powers Mets past Phillies in NLDS (Oct. 9)
Unbelievable: 10
Consequential: 10
It was called “the swing of a lifetime.” And naturally, it came courtesy of Lindor. His sixth-inning grand slam lifted the Mets to a 4-1 victory over the Phillies at Citi Field, propelling New York into the National League Championship Series.
(T0p photo of Francisco Lindor: Brad Penner / Imagn Images)
