A young fan of the New York Mets captured attention during the team’s spring training opener against the Houston Astros on February 22, 2025, after his candid criticism of reliever Danny Young’s pitching went viral. The game, held at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, showcased not only the team’s efforts to shake off the rust of the offseason but also provided a moment of levity that resonated with fans.
As Young took the mound in the fourth inning with Pedro León at bat, he delivered an errant pitch that sailed far outside the strike zone, reaching the backstop. This prompted a nearby young fan, caught by the crowd microphone, to voice his displeasure. "None of those. Those are bad pitches," the boy remarked, a comment that elicited laughter from the SNY broadcast team and quickly spread across social media.
The light-hearted moment highlighted the unfiltered honesty of youth and drew responses from various viewers online, with some jokingly suggesting that the young critic might have been influenced by the vocal parents often heard at little league games. Others praised the child for recognizing the importance of a good pitch, showing that even the youngest fans are keen observers of the game.
In his outing, Young pitched one inning, allowing one run on a hit while striking out one batter. Despite his struggles on the mound, the Mets secured a 6-2 victory over the Astros, with Clay Holmes earning the win in his debut with the team. The game also marked a notable moment for star player Juan Soto, who hit his first home run in a Mets uniform, launching a ball 426 feet over the left-center field fence.
After the game, Soto expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the hard work put in during the offseason. "It means everything we have been doing is paying off," he said. The combination of a win and memorable moments like the young fan’s critique made for an entertaining start to the Mets’ spring training season.