Mets president Sandy Alderson called the team’s thumb-down gesture during Sunday’s 9-4 win over the Nationals “totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The comments, posted on the team’s Medium blog, came after Javier Baez said during the post-game press conference that the gesture responded directly to the constant boos from Mets fans.
“[It’s] to leave [fans] know that when we are not successful we will be applauded, so they will be applauded when we are successful, ”Baez said.
Alderson’s statement defended the fans, saying they are “understandably frustrated by the team’s recent performance”.
“The Mets will not tolerate any gesture from the player that has unprofessional significance or is directed negatively toward our fans,” Alderson said. “I will meet with our players and staff to convey this message directly.”
The Mets have won two games in a row, after a streak that included 12 losses in 14 games, hurting hopes of a late push in the playoffs.