In Queens, the Mets Give Their Fans a Bronx Cheer

Showing off their sensitivity, Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez and Kevin Pillar celebrated a win by making thumbs-down gestures at the fans who had previously booed them.

The funniest thing about the Mets is the players’ pious self-image. Over and over, they stress that they’re all about positivity — and if you doubt them or point out a flaw, you’re a hater. They seem to believe they’re entitled to praise, no matter their performance. “Mets fans: Believe in us, and don’t just believe, know,” Pete Alonso said after the Mets fell out of first place three weeks ago. “Just smile and know that we got this.” Mostly the fans play along; they want to believe in Alonso and his talented teammates. But now it’s gotten personal, and with an aggrieved attitude infecting this Mets roster, it was all but inevitable.