The New York Mets have pulled off another baffling off-field move, and this time, it has nothing to do with player acquisitions or front-office decisions. Instead, it’s their new “5 Borough Mascot Race” that has fans ready to rain down boos before the first runner even takes off. What should have been a fun, city-themed addition to Citi Field’s game-day experience has instead become an instant punchline.
This isn’t just your typical case of New York cynicism. Mets fans have a long history of passionate (and often brutal) reactions to anything that feels off-brand, and this mascot race is no exception. While other teams have successfully embraced similar traditions—like the Brewers’ famous Sausage Race—the Mets’ version feels more like a random fever dream than a celebration of New York’s boroughs. And if there’s one thing Mets fans won’t tolerate, it’s a half-baked idea dressed up as city pride.
On paper, it’s a fun idea. Each of New York City’s five boroughs gets a representative: “Brooklyn – The Pizza Slice, Manhattan – The Skyscraper, Staten Island – The Ferry, Bronx – The Giraffe, Queens – The Subway.” But in practice? It’s been a PR disaster.
The Pizza Slice feels like a Brooklyn stereotype straight out of a tourist pamphlet. The Skyscraper seems more fitting for an architecture firm’s marketing campaign than a baseball game. The Ferry? Sure, Staten Island relies on one, but does it make for a compelling character? And the Giraffe for the Bronx—what? Did the Mets just Google “Bronx Zoo” and stop there? If there’s one saving grace, it’s the Subway for Queens, which at least ties into the borough’s reality – but that’s a low bar, if we’re being honest.
The Mets will have a 5 Borough Mascot race at games this season at Citi Field
Brooklyn – The Pizza Slice
Manhattan – The Skyscraper
Staten Island – The Ferry
Bronx – The Giraffe
Queens – The Subway pic.twitter.com/0p7JefhTBm
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 25, 2025
Predictably, Mets fans wasted no time eviscerating the concept. Social media erupted with mockery, and “Gonna Boo This” became the rallying cry. On Twitter and Reddit, threads spiraled into chaos, debating whether these mascots were the product of an AI experiment gone horribly wrong. Others pointed out that the Yankees’ Bleacher Creatures would have a field day roasting these characters during interleague play.
In typical Mets fashion, they’ve managed to turn what should have been a lighthearted addition into another punchline. Whether the team will adjust the mascots before Opening Day remains to be seen. One thing is certain, though—if the Mets thought this would be a crowd-pleaser, they seriously underestimated their own fanbase.
A Mets tradition: finding a way to embarrass themselves
One fan’s statement captured the raw essence of Mets fan frustration, blending humor, self-deprecation, and the all-too-familiar pain of watching a disastrous inning unfold. “I’m gonna boo this at the top of my lungs after 4 beers and a Griffin Canning 6 run inning”, they said. It essentially says that after having a few beers at Citi Field, they’ll be fully prepared to unleash a loud, passionate criticism at the new 5 Borough Mascot Race, especially if Angels pitcher Griffin Canning – presumably starting for the opposing team – has already crushed their spirits by giving up six runs in an inning. It’s a perfect storm of classic Mets agony: a struggling pitching staff, a few drinks deep into the game, and a ridiculous mascot race that feels like the cherry on top of a bad night.
The Mets are being criticized for their priorities, which suggest that they should concentrate on enhancing their pitching staff rather than organizing a mascot race event. One fan bluntly stated: “How about getting some pitching?” They believe that the team management is more focused on off-field entertainment than dealing with the pressing on-field issues, such as the reliable pitchers in the bullpen. The ongoing pitching problems for the Mets are repeatedly mentioned in a manner to emphasize the lack of confidence fans have in how the team’s currently building its roster.
The user takes a shot at David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations: “Sleepy Sterns bringing his Brewers shenanigans to Queens.” The term “Sleepy Stearns” implies a lack of urgency or energy, a common critique from fans who feel the Mets’ offseason has been underwhelming. The “Brewers shenanigans” part likely refers to Milwaukee’s well-known Sausage Race, drawing a parallel to the new 5 Borough Mascot Race at Citi Field. Essentially, the fan is hinting that instead of building a serious contender, Stearns is introducing minor-league-level entertainment while ignoring the team’s concerning on-field issues.
Another fan used dark humor to take a jab at the Mets, implying that their 5 Borough Mascot Race is so poorly received that even the fictional subway mascot has already met a tragic fate. “I heard someone already jumped in front of the subway mascot”, they said. Beyond just mocking the race itself, it taps into broader doubts about the franchise, explaining how being a Mets fan often feels like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Given the team’s history of offseason disappointments, questionable front-office decisions, and on-field collapses, this kind of reaction is almost second nature for the fanbase.
Mets fans aren’t just mocking the 5 Borough Mascot Race for its bizarre character choices—they’re also calling it a knockoff of the Washington Nationals’ Presidents Race, a beloved in-game tradition that actually makes sense for D.C. One user commented: “Poverty franchise having to copy the Nats presidents race”. Instead of crafting something uniquely tied to Queens or Mets history, the front office has seemingly borrowed an existing idea and slapped a New York twist on it, hoping fans won’t notice. But they have, and they’re letting the team hear it. At a time when the Mets should be focused on strengthening the roster, this move feels like a distraction—a flashy sideshow instead of a meaningful improvement.
One fan said what seemed to be on many people’s mind: “Why wouldn’t one say the zoo….. it’s a famous zoo in the Bronx….. called the Bronx zoo…. lol da fuk.” Honestly, it’s hard to see any real connection between a giraffe and the Bronx. The choice feels completely random—almost as if someone was scrambling for an idea and picked the first tall animal that came to mind. Unlike Brooklyn’s pizza or Queens’ subway, a giraffe doesn’t symbolize anything widely associated with the borough. If the Mets wanted to represent the Bronx properly, they could have gone with something tied to Yankee Stadium, hip-hop culture, or even the borough’s streetball legacy. Instead, they picked an animal that feels more at home in the Serengeti than in the South Bronx, leaving fans questioning the franchise’s choices.
Basically, Mets fans aren’t against entertainment, they just want it to complement a winning team, not distract from a flawed one. And if you’re heading to Citi Field this year, don’t be surprised if the loudest boos aren’t for an opposing player—but for a racing slice of pizza.
The post “Gonna Boo This” – Mets Fans Ruthlessly Roast Franchise for “Nightmare” Mascot Race Plan appeared first on EssentiallySports.