Baez: Mets using thumbs-down celebration as message to fans

The New York Mets are giving their disgruntled fans a taste of their own medicine.

Infielder Javier Baez said the Mets are using a thumbs-down celebration after big hits to send a message to spectators who have booed him and his teammates.

"In my case, they (the fans) gotta be better," Baez said postgame Sunday, according to Tim Healey of Newsday. "It's just how I feel. I love the fans (and) I like playing for the fans, but we can't have our fans against us."

The two-time All-Star added, "It feels bad when I strike out and I get booed. It doesn't really get to me, but I want to let them know that when we're successful, we're going to do the same thing, to let them know how it feels. ... They're going to put more pressure on the team."

Baez gave the fans at Citi Field a thumbs-down after a mammoth home run Sunday.

Mets manager Luis Rojas said he wasn't aware that his players were responding to fans with their celebrations over the last week.

Team president Sandy Alderson isn't impressed with the players' actions.

"These comments, and any gestures by him and other players with a similar intent, are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Alderson said Sunday in a statement. "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 right-hander Taijuan Walker apparently found the whole situation humorous.

Club owner Steve Cohen also couldn't resist making light of the situation.

New York acquired Baez from the Chicago Cubs prior to the July 30 trade deadline. The 2018 NL MVP runner-up has gone deep four times with a .709 OPS over 17 games with the club. He also leads the majors with 153 strikeouts in 108 contests this season.

The Mets sit 7 1/2 games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves after coming into the 2021 campaign as World Series contenders.