The New York Mets players and their Central New York fans got along well Tuesday afternoon in the Carrier Dome.
On their feet.
A crowd I thought to be somewhat comparable to a Syracuse University spring football game watched the players get ready for Thursday’s season-opener in D.C. against the Washington Nationals with plenty of enthusiasm. (On the way home, I heard Syracuse play-by-play announcer Matt Park estimate the number at 4,000 to 5,000 on his Orange Nation radio show.)
The players seemed to make the most of the two hours spent away from home, too.
Seth Lugo and Jed Lorrie sign for fans.
Really, with the limitations of fitting into a football field, the actual playing couldn’t amount to much.
Big pitcher Noah Syndergaard loosens his valuable arm.
Pitchers worked short stints from a portable mound.
Brandon Nimmo takes his cuts in the portable batting cage.
Two batting cages were set up so the position players could swing.
Throw it around.
The Mets played catch with each other.
But they seemed to have more fun looking distant fans in the eye, pointing, and sending baseballs way up high toward the intended target, a couple hundred feet away. Some of the fans caught the ball in the stand bare handed. Some balls bounced off and the around the bleachers. Youch!
How do you like me now?
After his honest interview about wishing that the Mets did not have this trip to Syracuse on their agenda, pitcher Noah Syndergaard appeared to make amends by grabbing the Syracuse University cheer squad’s “S” flag, taller even than him, and walking and waving it around the field.
Yay, team.
The players gathered as a group as New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen took the microphone and closed the festivities with a heartfelt thank you for the support and promise that the organization’s link to the Syracuse Mets would be good for all involved.
Symbolism.
Mascots Mr. Met and Scootch shared the moment with fans as the event ran down and manager Mickey Callaway ran off.
Outfielder Juan Lagares and many of his teammates threw their hats to fans in the stands before disappearing into the tunnel for last preparations for Thursday’s game against the Nationals.
Here’s to you.
The Syracuse Mets open the following Thursday, at home against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Let’s Go Mets.
Mark Bialczak 
Glad amends were attempted and people had a good time. 🙂
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Yes, they tried to get along, MBC.
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Syndergaard’s actions were perfect, and his tweet “Thank you Scranton!” — hilarious! Gotta love the Mets!
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I just wish he would have picked an ‘S’ city that wasn’t the home of the Yankees Triple-A squad, Mike. Yeah, I know.
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in spite of some pre-event worries and irritations by players and other, it sounds like the event was a positive experience for all and lucky you had a chance to be there.
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I got to see my Mets up close without having to drive down to NYC. That was a good thing, Beth.
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What a cool event. Lots of MLB teams do outreach to the fans in other parts of their states but this event seemed special.
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I think it’s a good think, Tony.
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Thanks for all the niceness in this post, Mark!
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You’re welcome, Red Sox fan Ann.
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