They Play a Boy's Game for Millions a Year and Act Like Children

 

Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez Give a Thumbs Down to the Fans after Yesterday's Game

It is a privilege to be a Major League Baseball player.  Millions of kids have to dream to play in the Major Leagues but at a given point in time, there are only 780 players on team rosters.  All players have an obligation to perform to the best of their abilities.  Ticket prices are quite high these days and even those not attending in person are playing through their cable TV subscriptions.

For three months the Mets were leading the weak National League, but have collapsed in August.  Francisco Lindor's batting average is .224 this season with an OPS of .686.  He signed a contract of $341 million over the next 10 years. Javier Baez who is currently making $11.6 million a year has hit .210 in his 17 games as a Met.  He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

You can see in the photo above the two of them are giving a thumbs down to the fans.  Are they blaming the fans for their poor performances?  The fans have every right to boo them at the stadium as long as profanity is not used.

Below is a statement from Team President Sandy Alderson

In a post-game press conference today, Javy Báez stated that his “thumbs down” gesture during the game was a message to fans who recently have booed him and other players for poor performance. These comments, and any gestures by him or other players with a similar intent, are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Mets fans are understandably frustrated over the team’s recent performance. The players and the organization are equally frustrated, but fans at Citi Field have every right to express their own disappointment. Booing is every fan’s right.

The Mets will not tolerate any player gesture that is unprofessional in its meaning or is directed in a negative way toward our fans. I will be meeting with our players and staff to convey this message directly.

Mets fans are loyal, passionate, knowledgeable and more than willing to express themselves. We love them for every one of these qualities.

My suggestion would be to bench those two players for a few games.  In this way they cannot file a grievance since they would not lose salary.