Sunday’s game at Citi Field kicked off like a dream for the New York Mets: Pete Alonso crushed it, a series victory, and everything clicked for the Cohen squad. But just when it seemed like everything was going well, the Mets tossed a curveball that nobody expected. Forget the Toronto Blue Jays; the real pitch that got the Mets fans riled up wasn’t from the mound but from an influencer!

The only problem? Not all fans were ready to catch it!

If you have spent time on TikTok, you have probably come across this influencer. An 8-year-old social media sensation known as the Rizzler, who is known for his famous ‘rizz’ face. The Mets, in a bid to make their Kids Opening Day unforgettable, brought The Rizzler to throw the ceremonial first pitch. The outcome? A moment that was supposed to be fun and lighthearted soon became the talk of social media – surely not for the reasons the Mets had hoped.

And if you think this was enough, there was more! The Rizzler, who is accustomed to posting funny videos rather than stepping onto the mound, couldn’t even make the pitch land. The fans watching at the stadium were less than impressed. It wasn’t just the pitch; it was the fact of how a kid makes it to the MLB field!

As the crowd looked on, expecting a more traditional baseball figure to mark the occasion, the Rizz pitch became a target of widespread criticism. The Rizzler may have had the iPad kids buzzing, but adult fans were not having it at all! What was intended as an innocent and entertaining gesture turned into a fiery debate among the Mets’ faithful. Was this just a modern twist on the tradition, or had the Mets lost sight of the game’s roots?

The backlash was fast and furious, like a 100 mph fastball!

As the game wound down and fans filed out of Citi Field, the conversation was far from over. The controversy over the ceremonial pitch had ignited a storm of opinions, and as the dust settled, the social media fallout was inevitable, with passionate responses flooding in from all sides.

From cheers to jeers: Mets’ Rizz leaves fans fuming

When the New York Mets chose the Rizzler for the ceremonial pitch, it sparked more than just excitement. While some embraced the moment, others clearly weren’t as thrilled with the choice.

The “OMG CRINGE” reaction was one that echoed throughout the Mets” faithful in the aftermath of the Rizz pitch. For many fans, the appearance of a TikTok influencer felt totally out of place in the professional, traditional world of MLB. The moment that was supposed t bring joy to a younger crowd instead felt like a forced and cringe spectacle to others.

The backlash against the ceremonial pitch wasn’t just about disappointment, it turned into full-on frustration. One fan expressed the sentiment perfectly: “Whoever booked this should be fired.” While perhaps an exaggerated response, but captured the feeling that the Mets missed the mark. Instead of going with the idea of a traditional beloved figure, the team went for social media clout, which left many questioning the decision-making behind the scenes.

This fan’s reaction hit at the heart of what many others were thinking: that the Mets had gone too far in their efforts to appeal to younger fans. The line “scraping the bottom of the barrel” suggested that the team was resorting to things that felt desperate for attention. It left many fans questioning whether this was a genuine effort to engage fans or just a stunt for social media clout.

The criticism didn’t hold back, with this faithful’s comment poking fun at the lack of substance they felt was present in the event. “Content for people with completely smooth brains” was a sharp jab at the idea that the Mets were pleading to a younger, social media-savvy crowd in a way that felt shallow.

For some Mets faithful, the whole idea of the ceremonial pitch by an influencer was a clear ‘No’. This reaction captured the disappointment of those who felt the Mets had crossed a line. It wasn’t much about the pitch by a kid but about the broader issue of tradition being ignored and overshadowed by trends.

In the end, The Rizzler’s pitch might’ve been a viral hit, but it definitely wasn’t a crowd favorite. Maybe after the backlash, the team will stick to something a little less viral. For now, it looks like the Mets might need a new idea book – preferably one without TikTok stars on the mound!