The New York Mets are spiraling, and in true baseball fashion, fans are searching for anything, or anyone, to blame.
After an alarming losing streak that has derailed their season early, a surprising figure has been dragged into the spotlight: Zohran Mamdani.
What started as a routine public appearance has now taken on mythical proportions. During a visit to Citi Field on April 9, the New York City mayor shared a lighthearted moment with team mascots Mr. Met and Mrs. Met.
Since then, according to frustrated fans, everything has gone downhill.
The Mets have dropped 11 straight games, including 10 consecutive losses following that now-infamous photo opportunity.
The slump has left the team with a disappointing 7-15 record, a shocking mark considering their $381 million payroll-one of the largest in Major League Baseball.
And with expectations high, the fan base has turned restless, and creative.
“It’s the Curse of the Mambino!” some have declared, invoking memories of the infamous “Curse of the Bambino” that haunted the Boston Red Sox for decades.
While that superstition tied to Babe Ruth carried historical weight, this latest version leans more toward humor, though not without a hint of genuine frustration.
“He gave them bad juju. Bad juju. That was bad juju, that was no good,” said one fan, echoing a sentiment that has quickly spread across social media and sports talk circles.
Another added, “When he hugged them, I was like what’s going on? Nobody touches Mr. Met, only Mrs. Met, that’s it.”
Fans vent as Mets’ struggles deepen
While the so-called “curse” makes for entertaining headlines, the Mets’ struggles are rooted in more tangible issues.
Injuries, inconsistent pitching, and underwhelming offensive production have all contributed to the skid. Still, in a sport steeped in superstition, it’s no surprise fans have latched onto the narrative.
Social media has amplified the reaction, with jokes and criticism flying in equal measure.
“The Mets are embracing Mamdani Socialism: they’re spreading wins around to teams with far lower payrolls,” one user quipped, referencing both the mayor’s politics and the team’s inability to capitalize on its financial advantage.
Another fan sarcastically suggested the losing streak was about redistributing wins “each according to their need.”
Even some high-profile voices have chimed in. Personalities like Dave Portnoy and Clay Travis pointed out the odd timing between Mamdani’s visit and the team’s collapse, further fueling the conversation.
Yet not everyone is buying into the superstition.
“I mean, it’s the Mets,” one commenter wrote bluntly. “I don’t think hugging Mamdani really mattered.”
That perspective reflects a harsher reality: the Mets’ issues likely run deeper than any symbolic “curse.”
Despite a roster loaded with talent and one of the highest payrolls in baseball, the team has struggled to find consistency.
Their recent road trip against contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs only exposed those flaws further.
Still, baseball has always thrived on its quirks and folklore. From rally caps to lucky jerseys, fans often look beyond the box score when things go wrong.
As the Mets prepare to return home to face the Minnesota Twins, the pressure is mounting.
Whether or not Zohran Mamdani has anything to do with their misfortune, one thing is clear: the team needs answers, and quickly.
Until then, the legend of the “Mambino” may continue to grow, even if it’s more about coping with disappointment than explaining it.
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