Top Moments from the 2025 Season

It’s certainly a challenge to compile a list of memories from a season that was so forgettable. But over the course of a six-month season, there were plenty of things to celebrate despite the overall disappointment. And it’s even more bittersweet now that some of the principal characters are already written out of next year’s story.

Lindor Walks off Cards

After making a habit of delivering clutch hits in 2024, Francisco Lindor had another one leftover in the first month of 2025. But it was still uncharted territory for the Mets’ shortstop. April 18th at Citi Field marked the first time Lindor had a walk-off home run in his five seasons in New York.

There was little doubt it too. His 250th career homer was crushed into the upper deck in right field. Lindor didn’t need to watch it, or celebrate it much for that matter, but just about everyone else in the ballpark certainly did.

Not only did the Mets shortstop finally earn his first All-Star nod in New York, but he also made the 30-30 club for the second time in three years.

Nimmo Finds Nine

Among the many offseason exits, Brandon Nimmo had all indications of being a career-long Met. For his career, he is one of the best outfielders in team history. One part of the franchise record book that he shared a place at the top is single-game RBIs.

Nimmo wrote his name in that second at Nationals Park on April 28 while also getting out of a major early-season slump. He went 4-for-6 with two home runs and drove in nine to match what Carlos Delgado did at Yankee Stadium nearly 17 years earlier. Even more impressive was that all of Nimmo’s work came in the span of just three innings as New York routed Washington, 19-5.

Peterson Goes the Distance

David Peterson had a strong first half. That was never more evident than how he fared during his June 11th outing against the Nats.

He blanked Washington in a 5-0 victory for his first career complete game and the first Mets shutout by a left-handed pitcher since Steven Matz in 2019. It was also just the third complete game by a New York pitcher over the last five years.

Peterson allowed six hits and didn’t give up a walk. With 97 pitches through eight, Carlos Mendoza gave the lefty a chance to finish the job. He retired the Nationals in order with a lineout, a strikeout and a groundout.

Fireworks on Independence Day

While the June tailspin signaled the team’s eventual second-half struggles, the home series against the Yankees was a promise that it could have been an aberration. Despite less-than-favorable starting pitching matchups, the Mets held their own. Back-to-back home runs to start the opener from Jasson Domínguez and Aaron Judge were answered by a two-run homer from Juan Soto.

The lead went back-and-forth before Jeff McNeil came through with a seventh-inning homer that turned a one-run Mets deficit into a one-run advantage. The upper-deck shot, interestingly enough, was against Luke Weaver. McNeil did a little more to preserve the win with a sprawling save of a ground ball in the ninth.

Late-Game Explosion in Baltimore

It was hard to find a time when the top four in the batting order was in rhythm. July 8th was one of those times.

Trailing 6-2 into the top of the eighth, and with a 4-34 record thus far this season when trailing after seven innings, the bulk of the Mets’ lineup muscled its way back into the game. Two singles were bracketed by two-run homers from Lindor and Pete Alonso to match the Orioles at four apiece.

Juan Soto singled in the tie-breaking run on the first pitch of the 10th to score Lindor. With Edwin Díaz having already been used, it was Huascar Brazobán who finished off the save.

Alonso Does it

As fans cope with the departures of longtime favorites, none will be as hard to accept as losing the beloved “Polar Bear.” Even if there was a very real possibility he’d be in a different uniform before 2025, seeing him in orange and black instead of orange and blue will take time. That final season, at least, gave Pete Alonso the opportunity to make club history.

It was inevitable as long as he remained a Met: setting the all-time career home run record. Darryl Strawberry held it at 252 for nearly 35 years. On August 12th, he ceremoniously passing the crown over to Alonso.

A tracer that just cleared the fence in right-center field.

Welcome Nolan McLean

Within less than two months, the 24-year-old right-hander showed why he already has ace potential.

The Mets’ pitching needs had been at an emergency level by the time he was called up from Triple-A to take the mound on a Saturday afternoon versus the Mariners. His 5.1 scoreless innings were exactly what they needed.

McLean had exceeded expectations with that first outing. Then, he proceeded to take it up a few levels. He held the Braves to two runs over seven innings on August 22. Five days later, he faced the Phillies at Citi Field: eight innings, no runs, no walks. He became the first Met to win in each of his first three starts.

Over 48 innings, McLean had a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts.

Díaz Walks the Tightrope

The importance of this win, at the moment, was huge. With both the Mets and Reds neck-and-neck for the final Wild Card spot, this could’ve meant the difference between a postseason berth and being on the outside looking in. No matter what, it’s still one of Edwin Díaz’s greatest escapes.

Not even a bases-loaded, no-out situation or an untied shoe could stop him. Díaz tied his cleats and prevented Cincinnati from scoring, even getting over to cover first as Luisangel Acuña made a marvelous play at second base to help get the final out. New York preserved it’s 5-4 lead in the ninth…somehow.

Rally Time at Wrigley

The clutch gene was lacking all season. The ability to get off the mat was lacking. But on September 23rd, some of what made 2024 so special was unearthed in Chicago. Down 6-1 entering the fifth, the Mets came all the way back as Lindor and Alonso’s run-scoring hits preceded Brandon Nimmo’s three-run homer.

New York and Chicago traded scores before Francisco Álvarez answered in the loudest way possible. Alvarez spent much of the year either injured or in the minor leagues. Now, with less than ten working fingers, he had given the Mets their biggest swing yet. New York held that 9-7 lead with a six-out save from Díaz.

Juan Soto Goes 30-30

One of the most sought-after (and well-paid) free agents ever enjoyed one of the greatest statistical years by a Mets position player. Soto’s final totals in walks, home runs, runs scored, OPS+, and bWAR were each among the franchise’s all-time single-season top 10 in their respective categories.

Hitting more than 40 homers might’ve been expected for the 26-year-old slugger. Stealing 38 bases, easily a career-high, was not. It tied him with Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz for the most in the National League and helped Soto finish third in the MVP voting.

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