Pete Alonso's "Who Let the Mets Out" Becomes Rallying Cry for Slumping New York Team

The Story Behind "Who Let The Mets Out"

In 2024, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso had a rough start to the season. After a stellar 2023 campaign where he hit 53 home runs, Alonso struggled at the plate to begin 2024. Through the first month of the season, Alonso was batting just .198 with only 2 home runs.

Frustrations started to boil over for the young slugger. During a prolonged slump in May, Alonso finally let his emotions get the best of him. After striking out for the third time in a game against the Atlanta Braves, Alonso returned to the dugout and screamed "Who let the Mets out!"

The Meaning Behind Alonso's Outburst

"Who let the Mets out" was Alonso venting his frustrations with both his own play and the team's disappointing start. He felt the Mets were playing far below their potential and his uncharacteristic lack of power was a microcosm of the team's struggles.

The phrase "Who let the Mets out" was a play on the popular song "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men. By using this clever spin, Alonso was essentially saying the Mets were playing like a bunch of loose canines making mistakes and not living up to expectations.

The Phrase Goes Viral

Even though Alonso's outburst occurred in the privacy of the dugout, cameras and microphones picked up the first baseman's lapse in composure. Video and audio of the rant quickly went viral online among baseball fans.

"Who Let the Mets Out" became a rallying cry for frustrated New York fans who felt the talented club was massively underachieving. Social media memes and hashtags like #LGM (Let's Go Mets) went wild with Alonso's new catchphrase.

Alonso Embraces the Meme

After initially being embarrassed by his dugout meltdown, Alonso eventually embraced "Who Let the Mets Out" as a meme and rallying cry. He started using it as his walk-up song and printing it on t-shirts to raise money for charity.

The first baseman also bounced back excellently from his slow start. He rediscovered his power stroke and went on to hit 47 home runs while leading the Mets back to the playoffs for the first time in years.

A Rallying Cry is Born

While "Who Let the Mets Out" began as a humorous outburst, it ultimately helped bring Mets players and fans together. The phrase encapsulated the frustration of the team's underperformance, while also serving as a rallying cry to come together and live up to expectations.

For Alonso, the meme served as motivation to overcome early season struggles. For the New York faithful, it became a unifying anthem to cheer on their beloved Mets. That seemingly silly dugout rant will now forever live on in Mets lore thanks to Pete Alonso unintentionally letting the Mets out!

FAQs

What does "Who Let the Mets Out" mean?

It was Pete Alonso venting his frustrations with the Mets' poor play to start the 2024 season. It is a play on the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" to say the team was making too many mistakes.

Where did Alonso first say the phrase?

He first yelled "Who Let the Mets Out" in the dugout after striking out during a game against the Atlanta Braves in May 2024.

How did the phrase go viral?

Cameras and microphones captured Alonso's dugout outburst. Video and audio of the rant quickly spread across social media among baseball fans.

How did Alonso respond to the viral meme?

Initially embarrassed, he soon embraced it by making "Who Let the Mets Out" his walk-up song and selling t-shirts with the phrase.

How did the phrase impact the Mets' season?

It became a rallying cry that brought the struggling team together. Alonso bounced back with 47 HRs as the Mets returned to the playoffs.