Fenway Park is renowned for the Ted Williams seat, and now Citi Field has its own special spot called the Grimace seat. Recently, the New York Mets dedicated a commemorative purple seat in section 302 to honor the connection Grimace has with Mets fans. Grimace, the beloved McDonald’s character, appeared at the ballpark wearing his distinctive pear-shaped purple costume and threw a humorous first pitch before the Mets triumphed over the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 12. Following this event, a seven-game winning streak commenced, and Grimace turned into the Mets’ unofficial mascot, gaining popularity online.
Since that June 12 victory, the Mets have boasted the best record in the majors with a 53-31 standing. As they kicked off their final homestand of the season against Washington, they were in contention with rival Atlanta for the last National League playoff spot. The Grimace seat is located in the second deck in right field, specifically in row 6, seat 12, symbolizing the date 6/12. Fans can purchase tickets for this special seat during any of the Mets’ remaining home games. Mets’ senior vice president of partnerships, Brenden Mallette, expressed joy in witnessing the Grimace phenomenon created by the fanbase, leading to the installation of the commemorative seat during fan appreciation weekend.
Compared to Fenway Park’s famed Ted Williams seat painted in bright red, marking where the Hall of Fame slugger hit a legendary 502-foot home run in June 1946, the Grimace seat brings a unique charm to Citi Field. Mets executive vice president and chief marketing officer Andy Goldberg humbly stated that Grimace may not reach the realm of the “Splendid Splinter,” but acknowledged the fun and success the team has experienced throughout the season. Goldberg credited the team’s exceptional performance since the end of May as a contributing factor to the added mystique surrounding Grimace’s presence at the ballpark.
