Archive
SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTERS
ADVERTISE| CLASSIFIEDS| JOBS| E-TRIB
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NETWORK
Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Mr. Met's bird-flipping incident latest in history of unfortunate mascot behavior | TribLIVE.com
MLB

Mr. Met's bird-flipping incident latest in history of unfortunate mascot behavior

Tribune-Review
GettyImages494457914
Getty Images
Met Opera and Mr. Met perform 'Meet the Mets' at Lincoln Center Plaza on October 27, 2015 in New York.
MrMetFiredBaseball39217jpg08e65
FILE - In this April 11, 2005, file photo, New York Mets mascot Mr. Met reacts with the crowd during the Mets home opener against the Houston Astros at Shea Stadium in New York. Even Mr. Met is frustrated with the team's start. New York's beloved mascot flashed an upraised middle finger at a fan during Wednesday night's, May 31, 2017, 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the employee will not work for the Mets again. A Mets official told The Associated Press more than one person wears the Mr. Met costume during each season, and the person who donned it Wednesday night will not do so again. The Mets official spoke on condition of anonymity because the statement from the organization was the team's only authorized comment. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

He did it all with a smile on his face.

Mostly because that's the only face he can make.

But whoever was wearing the Mr. Met mascot suit at Citi Field in New York on Wednesday made a quick gesture that exploded across the country.

While being filmed by fans, Mr. Met flipped his middle finger — with some help of his other hand — quickly at the camera before scurrying down a hallway.

You can see the video here (some readers may find this offensive).

The Mets issued a statement after the game, when the video went viral.

It's at least the third time the Mets have made headlines for something other than their play on the field (their 23-28 record might have something to do with that, too). One incident involved a sex toy in the locker room that was captured in a photo the team posted. A few weeks later, pitcher Matt Harvey was suspended by the team for three games after failing to show up at the stadium after a late-night party session.

In honor of Mr. Met's poor judgment, here's a look at other mascots who were involved in unfortunate incidents.

(We know it's a short list: Feel free to share your favorite videos of mascot-related incidents to the story on our Facebook page )

Benny Beaver vs. The Duck: Fight Club

It's Oregon State vs. Oregon, so there's built-in bad blood. These guys made sure that was plainly evident.

Sausage vs. Randall Simon: Swing and a hit

OK, so a sausage, in this case, is not a mascot. But it's someone dressed in a ridiculous costume, so close enough. The Pirates' Randall Simon felt it appropriate to smack an Italian sausage with a bat during the sausage race in Milwaukee in 2003. If there's anyone out there who has come up with a reason yet for why he would do this, feel free to contact us.

Mariner Moose: Ankle vs. wall

Not sure who thought this was a good idea to begin with, but a broken ankle probably secured this stunt never being tried again.

Mr. Redlegs: Don't lose your head

You had one job! If there's something aside from flipping the bird that a mascot should never do, it's losing his or her head. The guy playing Mr. Redlegs here, well, lost his head.