BRO! Met GM Van Wagenen braves Seven Line Army, sits in stands

Brodie Van Wagenen was prepared to face the music on Tuesday night at Citi Field.

The Met general manager watched the first game of the Subway Series in center field surrounded by the Seven Line Army, a large group of die-hard Mets fans.

Van Wagenen honored the commitment he made back in February to the director of the group, Darren Meenan, who has been a member for 11 years.

“I think it takes a lot of balls,” said Meenan, decked out in his orange Seven Line jersey that all members receive. “To commit to this in February not knowing where the team would be come July is a pretty big statement, and shout out to him standing by his word.”

The former agent-turned-GM was prepared for a barrage of displeased Mets fans, consistent with the feedback he gets on his Twitter feed, and newspaper back pages across New York.

“I read my social media feed, I listen to (Mike) Francesa, and I read the papers,” Van Wagenen said. “So, the criticism or the responses from fans good and bad are something that I encourage.”

Most of the displeasure from Mets fans stems from the supposed “blockbuster trade” Van Wagenen made this winter with the Seattle Mariners that brought Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to Queens in exchange for former top prospect, Jarred Kelenic.

Seven Line Soldier Chris Caputo made it abundantly clear that the trade has been an unmitigated disaster.

“About half way through this season, the trades don’t look good,” said Caputo. “When everyone looks back on it, it’s probably going to be one of the things that define (Van Wagenen) and that’s not very good.”

Despite all the frustration, Tuesday was nothing short of a love fest for the man in charge of the Amazin’s.

The GM took pictures with fans, and even with a huge cutout of himself that one fan had printed out. He shared laughs and even took part in Seven Line traditions of chanting and waving his arms for a strikeout. Meenan expected nothing less. “There’s a lot of Twitter tough guys out there that thought this was going to be a negative experience,” Meenan said. “We’re a very positive crew. I knew it was going to be fine.”

Instead of hearing complaints and trade recommendations from the Mets faithful, Van Wagenen was motivated and inspired by what he saw.

“Being out here and seeing the fans not quitting is inspiring,” Van Wagenen said after spending four-and-a-half innings with the group. “And to make sure that we aren’t quitting in the front office, we’re not quitting on the field, we owe every ounce of hard work and energy to make these fans happy and proud.

“It wasn’t (a negative experience) at all, because I think these people want to win. I think these people care about the games, they show up here, they’re part of a community and we’re all working together and trying to help our team win.”