The Greatest Moments from the 2024 Mets Season

By the measurement of time, it was a season. But if you compare  the amount of incredible events to what you’d expect in a typical season, it felt like five… at least. It would have been difficult to predict this kind of year for the Mets before the schedule began, especially after starting 0-5, and pretty much inconceivable at the end of May. Just as challenging is trying to narrow down the best of these memories. But what a terrific problem to have. To ease that burden, here is the sequence of moments divided into chapters—a fitting way to commemorate a storybook season.

Pre-Grimace Era

3. The Lindor Flu Game

Before this September, Francisco Lindor‘s presence in the lineup was an everyday occurrence. After exiting early on May 1 with flu-like symptoms, Lindor was not a starter for the next afternoon’s game at Citi Field versus the Cubs. But he was the finisher. He entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth and delivered a two-run double. Then in the bottom of the 11th, down by a run with men on first and second, he went the other way with an extra-base hit down the left-field line. Brett Baty and Harrison Bader scored easily. Even if Lindor was still feeling bad, he made Mets fans feel great. Four RBIs and a walk off isn’t bad for an off day.

2. Mark Vientos Maximizes His Opportunity

He made the most of his time in the majors—even when it was just for a few days. Mark Vientos‘ brief stint in the bigs while filling in for Starling Marte might have had tremendous long-term effects. He hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th as the Mets avoided a sweep against the Cardinals on April 28. About 48 hours later, he was sent back to Triple-A. It would be less than three weeks before Vientos got the call-up again. It was an opportunity he never let go.

1. Torrens Saves the Day in London

A two-game series in the UK was on the brink of a two-game Phillies sweep before Luis Torrens made a play that was both intelligent and physically impressive. The Mets had rallied to take the lead with three in the top of the ninth and held a 6-5 edge with the bases loaded and one out for Philly. Nick Castellanos hit a weak grounder in front of home. Torrens picked it up, then stepped back and touched the plate. He heaved it to first just before Garrett Stubbs slid in and knocked him over. Pete Alonso handled the throw in time to complete the first-ever game-ending  2-3 ground-ball double play.

Walk-off Home Runs

3. Francisco Alvarez vs. Orioles (August 19)

The young catcher endured a tough year full of injuries and slumps. So when he connected off of Baltimore’s Seranthony Domínguez, Francisco Alvarez savored it. He was given the green light a 3-0 count in a tie game. What followed was a no-doubter to center field, estimated at 421 feet. Alvarez didn’t waste time to celebrate as Citi Field went wild.

2. Mark Vientos vs. Reds (September 6)

Now established as the Mets third baseman, Vientos was on his way to a 111-game performance highlighted by 27 home runs and an .838 OPS. Perhaps the best highlight in this regular season full of them came as New York extended its win streak to eight. He started the Mets scoring with a two-run shot in the first and ended it with a two-run shot in the tenth. The latter was a low and inside pitch that he golfed over the left-field wall. The Mets won a big game…and Vientos lost his shirt.

1. Jesse Winker vs. Orioles (August 21)

Two days after Alvarez’s dramatics, the veteran who had been a friendly pest to Mets fans throughout his career unofficially became a true member of the orange and blue. Winker’s first home run as a Met came at the perfect time. Domínguez was the victim again. This homer went nearly to the same spot as Alvarez. And like his teammate, Winker showed his emotions once it was official—stopping to slam his helmet before rounding the bases in full flow.

Pitching Performances

3. Jake Diekman Owns Aaron Judge

Admit it. The left-hander in the midst of a terrible season pitching to Yankees’ slugger in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and a one-run lead had all the makings of a Yankees walk-off. Everyone thought it—except maybe Carlos Mendoza. With a depleted bullpen and Edwin Díaz unavailable, the call went to a man with a 5.28 ERA to get the save. Diekman got Judge to strike out looking with a 96 mile per hour fastball on the inside corner. He then retired Ben Rice to preserve the Mets victory. Diekman was DFA’d two days later.

2. Sean Manaea‘s Development

After observing the Braves Chris Sale, Manaea lowered his arm slot to mimic the fellow southpaw and possible Cy Young winner in the NL. From July 30 on, he struck out 83 over 75.2 innings as the Mets won 10 of his 12 appearances. Not only was he missing more bats, but he was providing length. He went into the seventh inning 10 times and posted nine quality starts. He didn’t allow an earned run against the Twins, Cardinals, and White Sox while unofficially garnering ace status. Manaea was one example of the remarkable performance of the entire the rotation down the stretch—posting a 2.67 ERA in September.

1. Severino Blanks Marlins

The right-hander wanted it. The Citi Field crowd wanted it. Complete-game shutouts are rare these days. The atmosphere on this Saturday afternoon on August 17 reflected that into the ninth inning. Luis Severino was carrying his scoreless effort against the Marlins, but hit Jake Burger with his first pitch. Mendoza went to visit with his starter and, after a brief conference, left him in to try and finish it. Severino retired the next three batters to preserve a four-hitter. His 113th and final offering got Derek Hill to swing at strike three.

Miscellaneous OMGs

3. Pop Star Second Baseman

While Grimace was the mascot of the Mets’ revival, “OMG” was the anthem. Jose Iglesias signing a minor-league contract on December 5 went, as expected, unnoticed. He arrived to the Mets on May 31. His insertion was one of many catalysts to New York’s charge—slashing .337/.381/.448  and ending the regular season with a 22-game hitting streak. Oh, and the singing career isn’t bad either. His song blared each home at-bat, fans recited every lyric, a sign with the title letters was carried in the dugout and showed up among the crowd. And after a June 28 win over Houston, giving the Mets their 16th victory in the turnaround month of June, Iglesias transformed into “Candelita” and performed it live on the field.

2. Lindor Homers to End No-No

He did what MVPs are known to do. For much of this September afternoon game in Toronto, the Mets offense was lifeless…and hitless. Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis cruised through eight with a 1-0 lead. Lindor led off the ninth, fell behind 0-2, and proceeded to end the no-hitter and the shutout all at once. The homer to right field was the wake-up call they needed. New York went on to score five more in the frame and win the game.

1. Exorcizing the Demons in Atlanta

The blast against the Blue Jays was Lindor’s biggest home run for less than three weeks. Entering the doubleheader of make-up games at Truist Park to conclude the regular season, both the Mets and Braves needed one win for a playoff berth. Everything was pointing to a do-or-die finale when New York was down 3-0 through seven. But the Mets’ resilience showed in the eighth. The six runs scored were an afterthought as Edwin Díaz gave the lead back. Mets fans’ thoughts went to another nightmare in Atlanta. New York’s shortstop and face of the franchise dispelled all negativity with one swing of the bat. Credit to Starling Marte for getting on ahead of Lindor’s heroics. Edwin Diaz redeemed himself in the bottom of the ninth and the Mets put champagne on ice.

Postseason Heroics

T3. Still on the Mark

The playoff stage really had an effect on Mark Vientos—because it made him better. It was exciting enough that he had a great regular season. But Vientos became a star in October. He slashed .327/.362/.636 with a .998 OPS, five home runs over 13 games and his 14 RBIs set a new Mets postseason record. Four were collected on one plate appearance against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS, when he finished a terrific at-bat with a second-inning grand slam.

T3. Masterful Manaea

The culmination of his second half adjustment came in the Division Series with Philadelphia. After splitting the first two games and hoping to finish it at home, Manaea made sure the Mets would have the edge. He honored his late aunt with a brilliant outing of one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven against a potent Philly lineup. Leading 2-0, he escaped a sixth-inning jam with two on and none out by fanning Bryce Harper and getting Nick Castellanos to hit into a line-drive double play. New York would soon break it open to get one step closer to the NLCS.

2. Grand-cisco Lindor

Citi Field had never seen a Mets clinching celebration. Game 4 versus Philly was that opportunity, but the offense was squandering their chances to score. Down 1-0 in the sixth, New York loaded the bases for the third time. With one out, the Mets needed someone to step up. Lindor had been the one to do it most frequently in 2024. So why not now? The 2-1 pitch was sent out and into the bullpen. It was the kind of situation he was brought to Queens for. He circled the bases like he expected it to happen. Surrounding him was the loudest cheer this 15-year stadium had ever experienced. Three innings later, after a 4-1 win, it got to host the party fans had long been waiting for.

1. Pete Alonso Saves the Season

It may have been the best moment of 2024. It certainly was the best moment of Alonso’s career. On a night when he tripped over his own bat, dropped a pop up, and prolonged his struggles at the plate, the Mets’ first baseman erased all those bad memories—and so much more—when he came up with two runners on and his team down two with two outs left in New York’s season. Alonso has 226 regular season home runs as a Met. There might not be another, depending on how free agency goes. Regardless, he earned a special place in team history with his top-of-the-ninth drive over the right-field wall in Milwaukee.

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