NEW YORK (AP) — Fenway Park has the Ted Williams seat. And now Citi Field has the Grimace seat.
The kid-friendly McDonald’s character made another appearance at the ballpark Monday, when the New York Mets unveiled a commemorative purple seat in section 302 to honor “his special connection to Mets fans.”
Wearing his pear-shaped purple costume and a baseball glove on backwards, Grimace threw out a funny-looking first pitch — as best he could with those furry fingers and short arms — before New York beat the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 12.
That victory began a seven-game winning streak, and Grimace the Mets' good-luck charm soon went viral, taking on a life of its own online.
New York is 53-31 since June 12, the best record in the majors during that span. The Mets were tied with rival Atlanta for the last National League playoff spot as they opened their final homestand of the season Monday night against Washington.
The new Grimace seat in the second deck in right field — located in row 6, seat 12 to signify 6/12 on the calendar — was brought into the Shannon Forde press conference room Monday afternoon. The character posed next to the chair and with fans who strolled into the room.
The seat is available for purchase for each of the Mets’ remaining home games.
“It’s been great to see how our fanbase created the Grimace phenomenon following his first pitch in June and in the months since,” Mets senior vice president of partnerships Brenden Mallette said in a news release. “As we explored how to further capture the magic of this moment and celebrate our new celebrity fan, installing a commemorative seat ahead of fan appreciation weekend felt like the perfect way to give something back to the fans in a fun and unique way."
Up in Boston, the famous Ted Williams seat is painted bright red among rows of green chairs deep in the right-field stands at Fenway Park to mark where a reported 502-foot homer hit by the Hall of Fame slugger landed in June 1946.
So, does this catapult Grimace into Splendid Splinter territory?
“I don’t know if we put him on the same level,” Mets executive vice president and chief marketing officer Andy Goldberg said with a grin.
“It’s just been a fun year, and at the same time, we’ve been playing great ball. Ever since the end of May, we have been crushing it,” he explained. “So I think that added to the mystique.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
FILE - McDonald's character Grimace throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets, June 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sam Surridge scored a goal in the 19th minute, Joe Willis had three saves the Nashville SC beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 Wednesday night.
Surridge played a header, off an arcing entry from Hany Mukhtar, that went high above the crossbar before dropping inside the post to give Nashville a 1-0 lead.
Nashville (8-13-8) has won back-to-back games following an eight-game losing streak.
The Fire had 58% possession and outshot Nashville 10-5.
Chicago (7-15-8), which beat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last time out, has lost four of its last six games.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis defends the goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville SC forward Teal Bunbury, left, and Chicago Fire defender Ariel Lassiter, right, battle for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis, front, punches the ball away from Chicago Fire forward Tom Barlow, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Fire forward Tom Barlow, center, heads the ball past Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz, left, and Nashville SC defender Jack Maher, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge, right, gathers the ball in front of Chicago Fire defender Tobias Salquist, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) celebrates a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville SC midfielder Anibal Godoy (20) grabs Chicago Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie, left, as they chase the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie, right, blocks a kick by Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Fire midfielder Fabian Herbers, right, kicks the ball past Nashville SC defender Jack Maher, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) celebrates a goal with defender Daniel Lovitz, left, and forward Teal Bunbury (12) during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
