Opening Day at Citi Field for the New York Mets had its share of drama even before the first pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets stumbled early, falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, but let's rewind a bit.
Tony Award winner Chris Jackson, tasked with singing the national anthem, hit a sour note-literally. Jackson, who famously plays George Washington in "Hamilton," missed a line from “The Star-Spangled Banner,” leaving fans puzzled. It's not every day you see a Broadway star falter on such a big stage.
But let's shift the focus back to baseball, where thousands of Mets fans are hoping for a fresh start in 2026. After a disappointing 2025 season, finishing 83-79 and missing the playoffs, the Mets are eager to rewrite their narrative. Despite a record-high payroll and the addition of Juan Soto, last year's second-half collapse was a bitter pill to swallow.
Thursday's game initially felt like déjà vu for the Mets faithful, as they quickly fell behind. However, they soon flipped the script.
Pittsburgh's ace, Paul Skenes, who entered the season eyeing another Cy Young, found himself in trouble. The Mets chased him off the mound after just 2/3 of an inning, tagging him for five earned runs on 47 pitches.
By the time Skenes exited, the Mets had turned the tables, leading 5-2. It's the kind of resilience the fans hope to see more of this season-a promising sign that perhaps this year, the Mets are ready to fulfill their potential and make a serious run in the NL East.