Luis Robert Jr. is making quite the impression in his new digs with the New York Mets. The former Chicago White Sox center fielder has hit the ground running, racking up five hits in his first three games, including two multi-hit performances. In a thrilling moment, Robert smashed a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th, sealing a 4-2 victory for the Mets over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After six seasons on Chicago’s South Side, Robert's offseason move to the Mets seems to be paying off. He didn’t shy away from making a pointed comment about his former team, particularly regarding fan attendance.
Before his home debut at Citi Field, Robert noted the expected crowd and drew a stark contrast with his experiences in Chicago.
“I am sure that Thursday, the stadium is going to be packed,” Robert remarked. “Which is something that over the last few years in Chicago, I didn’t get to experience that. It’s going to be a new experience for me.”
White Sox fans are no strangers to such comments. Attendance jokes have long been part of the narrative, especially compared to their crosstown rivals.
Last season, the White Sox averaged just over 18,000 fans per game, ranking 27th in the majors. They last surpassed the 20,000 mark in 2023, with an average of 21,405.
The decline in attendance has mirrored the team’s struggles, with the White Sox losing 100-plus games in each of the past three seasons. When the team performs well, fans do show up. In 2021, during their AL Central-winning season, they ranked 14th in attendance, and the following year, they averaged 24,704 fans per game.
Robert, having witnessed sell-out crowds during the 2021 ALDS, knows this well. His comment seems a bit misplaced, considering his own on-field contributions were inconsistent.
Expected to be a cornerstone for a competitive team, Robert instead dealt with injuries and inconsistent play. Despite moments of brilliance, including a Gold Glove and an All-Star nod in 2023, his overall performance didn’t meet expectations.
Even with his standout 2023 season, Robert struck out in 26% of his plate appearances and posted a .259/.313/.456 slash line. These numbers, while respectable, didn’t justify the hype surrounding his six-year, $50 million contract.
A fresh start was likely beneficial for both Robert and the White Sox. While there doesn’t appear to be lingering animosity, Robert’s jab seems unnecessary.
The White Sox have enough challenges without their former player adding fuel to the fire. With a combined .659 OPS over the past two seasons, Robert has plenty to focus on as he settles into his new role with the Mets.