The New York Mets were dealing with a silly controversy this week involving Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor giving a thumbs down gesture to the crowd in response to boos.
As expected, this did not go over well with the Mets faithful.
But baseball is played on an everyday basis and that allows for short memories to prevail.
In the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, Baez was greeted with plenty of boos.
Mets fans boo Javy Baez & give him thumbs down gestures as he comes up to bat 👀
(via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/ivWlmklsg4
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 31, 2021
An inning later, he did this.
THE METS WIN!!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING pic.twitter.com/qTMRVH07RG
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 31, 2021
Talk about a sudden turnaround in less than an hour.
Baez Brings The Magic
The Mets played two games against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and came away victorious in both.
Baez reached on an infield single in the ninth and magically came around to score the winning run after the ball was booted in left field.
The crowd was sparse, but everyone in attendance clearly fell in love with Baez again for his late-game heroics and perfect slide into home.
The whole thumbs down controversy was a bit laughable and to Baez’s credit, he apologized for his actions and made it clear he is just competitive and wants to win.
#Fans We just need to stay together! We want to win too! El Mago gonna be El Mago! #LGM
— Javier Báez (@javy23baez) August 31, 2021
But New York fans are brutal and want players to back up their words with actions.
That is exactly what Baez and his teammates did in a game that appeared to be lost.
Still Fighting For Something
The sweep put the Mets at 65-67 on the year and six games back of Atlanta in the division heading into Tuesday night.
September begins Wednesday and the schedule starts to get a bit easier.
The Mets still have two more against Miami, followed by five against Washington.
That series is then followed by a three-game set against Miami again.
So if the Mets are going to make up ground this is the time to do it.
Baez being motivated again, alongside Lindor, only means good things and should have the fans cheering them on in pursuit of the postseason.
Will Baez now stick around in 2022 and beyond?
The drama seems to be in the past, which does bode well for his reputation in town.
But if he doesn’t have a hot September, owner Steve Cohen will likely want to look elsewhere after already paying a struggling Lindor such a large fortune.
NEXT: Javy Baez Likely No Longer Has A Future With The Mets