Báez, Lindor apologize for thumbs-down jab at Mets fans
NEW YORK – Javier Báez and Francisco Lindor have apologized to Mets fans after Báez revealed that a thumbsdown celebration gesture adopted by players was in part a dig at New York fans who have booed the underperforming ballclub.
Báez and Lindor took turns saying they were sorry less than an hour before first pitch of a game Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. That followed a stern statement from team president Sandy Alderson on Sunday night disavowing the gesture, as well as a team meeting Tuesday in which players said they would stop making it.
“I didn’t mean to offend anybody,” Báez said.
The 28-year-old Báez was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 30 and has hit .210 with four homers and a .709 OPS in 17 games since. Mets fans booed him and others throughout August, when the team has gone 8-19 to fall out of playoff position after leading the NL East for nearly three months.
Players began making the thumbsdown gesture toward their dugout after base hits and other positive plays while at Dodger Stadium from Aug. 20-22.
“When we don’t get success, we’re going to get booed,” Báez said Sunday. “So they’re going to get booed when we have success.”