The rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets is one for the ages, filled with unforgettable moments that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Even when both teams aren't at their peak, the tension never fades, and Phillies fans are always ready to revel in any missteps by their rivals. Tuesday night's World Baseball Classic action was no exception.
The offseason saw the Mets land free agent Bo Bichette, a move that left Phillies fans reeling. Philadelphia had been confident Bichette would don their uniform, making the Mets' acquisition a bitter pill to swallow. With the regular season looming, Phillies fans are eager for a chance to see the Mets falter.
Enter Nolan McLean, a promising young pitcher for the Mets, who took the mound for Team USA against Team Italy on March 10. Expectations were sky-high for McLean, touted as a future star. Phillies fans were quick to pounce when things didn't go as planned.
McLean started strong, striking out the side in the first inning and giving Mets fans a glimpse of his potential. But the second inning was a different story, much to the delight of Phillies supporters.
McLean gave up a home run to Kyle Teel, putting Team Italy ahead 1-0. Things unraveled further as he hit Jac Caglianone with a pitch and allowed another homer to Sam Antonacci, giving Italy a 3-0 lead.
Social media lit up, especially among Phillies fans, who couldn't resist poking fun at the Mets' misfortune. The phrase "Mets always gonna Met" captured the sentiment, as fans enjoyed the irony of the Mets' earlier boastful post about McLean's prowess.
The game ended with Team USA losing 8-6 to Italy, and McLean's rough inning became a talking point. Phillies fans now have fresh ammunition for the season, using McLean's WBC performance as a reminder of the Mets' ongoing struggles.
The "LOLMets" meme made the rounds, highlighting the Mets' knack for unexpected collapses. McLean's initial dominance quickly turned into a nightmare, feeding into the narrative of the Mets' supposed curse. Phillies fans will undoubtedly keep this moment in their back pocket, ready to bring it up when McLean faces Philadelphia in the regular season.
While Mets fans may argue that their team's success will render the meme obsolete, Phillies fans see McLean's WBC outing as proof that "LOLMets" will always hold relevance. The rivalry continues, with each side eager for the next chapter in this storied clash.