The relationship between New York Mets fans and Noah Syndergaard began to deteriorate when the pitcher decided to leave as a free agent last season, to sign a one-year, $21 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Fans didn’t like it, and they aren’t afraid to show their feelings on social media, where Syndergaard is more active than your average player.
Then, even more fans were angry at Syndergaard when he said that Reid Detmers threw a “real” no-hitter, implying the Mets’ collective no-no wasn’t as valuable.
After that, he had his turn against the Mets in a couple of games (even after he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies) pushed back in mysterious ways, so he didn’t face the Mets.
“While a member of the Angels, Noah Syndergaard told the organization that he did not want to be dealt to a team in the same division as the Mets. He is said to now ‘love it’ in Philadelphia,” SNY tweeted.
While a member of the Angels, Noah Syndergaard told the organization that he did not want to be dealt to a team in the same division as the Mets.
He is said to now "love it" in Philadelphia: https://t.co/Hz9yvQldya pic.twitter.com/luecBkzd7U
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) October 28, 2022
It’s another case of the “what do you expect him to say” saga, but the change in tone is interesting.
He Does Seem Happy With The Phillies
Whatever the reason behind that turnaround, Syndergaard does seem happy to be with the Phillies.
He is chasing a World Series for the second time in his career, and he is an important member of the staff.
After his Tommy John surgery in 2020, “Thor” did not get his full velocity back, and it shows on his strikeout rate.
He used to be 97-98 mph with his fastball, and is now more at the 94-95 range.
He still had a good 3.94 ERA in 134.2 frames, so he remained effective even if he lost some upside.
Whether he doesn’t want to pitch against the team that gave him an MLB career, or whether he just doesn’t want to deal with angry fans shouldn’t matter at this point.
All Syndergaard wants is the chance to lift the World Series trophy.
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