Mr. Met Flips Off Fans

The Brewers beat the Mets on Wednesday night, 7-1.

All eyes are on the action at Citi Field but not because of the game.

Mr. Met behaved badly.

From the Associated Press, via the Chicago Tribune:

New York's funny-looking mascot flashed his "middle" finger at a fan during Wednesday night's 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the team says the employee who did it won't work in the costume again.

A person tweeted video of the incident, which soon went viral online, and the club quickly issued a statement.

...A Mets official told The Associated Press more than one person wears the Mr. Met costume during each season, and the person who donned it Wednesday night will not do so again. The Mets official spoke on condition of anonymity because the statement from the organization was the team's only authorized comment.

Mr. Met has seen enough 😲 (via @adelucia35) pic.twitter.com/IVdWKuhctF

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 1, 2017

Statement from the New York Mets. pic.twitter.com/bRVvqZoqg8

— New York Mets (@Mets) June 1, 2017

Statement from the New York Mets:

We apologize for the inappropriate action of this employee. We do not condone this type of behavior. We are dealing with this matter internally.

Not that long ago, there wouldn't have been video of the incident. Everyone is armed with a camera now. And, we have the Internet and Twitter to share the video and turn this into a national story instantaneously.

Mascots should beware. They must assume their actions are being recorded and may be witnessed by millions.

I don't think what Mr. Met did is a big deal. Actually, it's funny seeing the mascot do that.

However, if the person in the costume is fired, I can understand why. I'm sure one of the requirements of the job is to not make any inappropriate or lewd gestures. The person portraying Mr. Met at Wednesday's game shouldn't have flipped off the fans.

But, the video does show the mascot in a tunnel. The communication seemed to be more of a private moment. When I first heard about the incident, I thought Mr. Met was on the field or in the stands. Still, I suppose the Mets can't allow their mascot to be seen giving the finger at any time. When one dons the Mr. Met costume, one represents the Mets.

It could have been worse.

Regardless of your politics, you must admit Mr. Met should not have done this. pic.twitter.com/TE0URRg8UM

— Adam Jacobi (@Adam_Jacobi) June 1, 2017