Photo credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA
From Pete Alonso’s pumpkin to “OMG” signs, the New York Mets have had several quirky good luck charms that helped them go from below .500 at one point in the season to one win away from this year’s National League Championship Series. Perhaps none greater than Grimace, the McDonald’s mascot. To get to Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, the purple cartoon character boarded a Citi Field-bound 7 train at Hudson Yards decked out in Grimace decals.
After Grimace threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field on June 12, the Mets went on to win seven games in a row at a point in the season when the team’s record was below .500. The character soon was seen on a pair of cleats and a purple seat was unveiled at Citi Field last month.
As part of a promotion from McDonald’s, decals of Grimace were placed across all 10 cars of a 7-train headed to the ballpark on Tuesday. The mascot boarded the train at Hudson Yards just before 1:30 p.m., according to the MTA.
“This celebratory moment was inspired by the fans who took to social photoshopping Grimace’s face on the purple train line after he threw the first pitch,” a McDonald’s representative told The New York Post.
“Joining them, everyone’s favorite purple bestie made a surprise appearance riding with fans to Citi Field to cheer on the Mets.”
In a post on X, the MTA recommended baseball fans take the subway to Tuesday’s game. “Be like Grimace and take the train to @CitiField to see the @Mets in the NLDS playoffs!”
The Mets lead the Phillies in the best-of-5 division series 2-1. First pitch for Game 4 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. on Wednesday.
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