From the Swinging Friar in San Diego to the Phanatic in Philly, the MLB has its fair share of iconic mascots.
The most recent entrant to this exclusive club also happens to be a character from the McDonald's universe. What some might describe as a plush purple personified pear, Grimace is the fast food-baseball crossover that sent the Mets on a consequential winning streak that contributed to a postseason appearance.
What started as an honorary mound appearance by the mascot developed into a flourishing relationship with New York fans, all of whom have embraced their new family member into the second round of the playoffs.
The character joins the team's 2024 postseason good luck charms, the viral "OMG" sign and Pete Alonso's playoff pumpkin. Here's everything to know about Grimace and the Mets, including why the McDonald's character became New York's unofficial mascot during the team's 2024 turnaround.
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Grimace was born in 1971, making his first appearance for the franchise as a member of the McDonaldland campaign that targeted young children. The original version of the character featured two pairs of arms and was portrayed as "The Evil Grimace," often stealing milkshakes from the citizens of McDonaldland in ads.
The fast-food giant quickly figured out Grimace's negative demeanor was scaring off young customers and pivoted toward a more gentle, fun-loving version of the character. In doing so, McDonald's removed one set of arms and reintroduced Grimace in 1972 as the mascot everyone knows and adores today.
In June 2023, McDonald's ran a campaign celebrating Grimace's 52nd birthday, including a new menu item -- a limited-edition purple milkshake that became a viral sensation -- and a deal titled "Grimace's Birthday Meal." The combo included a milkshake and the choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chick McNuggets and fries.
Because of the activation, the mascot regained national attention, capturing hearts across America and around the globe. It also led many to wonder what Grimace actually is, prompting an interview with Brian Bates, the owner of a Canadian McDonald's location, to resurface. In 2021, he revealed the mascot's identity as "an enormous taste bud, but a taste bud nonetheless" to CBC News.
McDonald's celebrated Grimace's birthday again this past summer, and one of the items on his agenda on June 12 was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Mets game against the Marlins. The team's record was well below .500 at this point, and it was coming off a 20-game stretch with just eight wins to show for it.
As soon as the ball left Grimace's plush purple hand, New York's season turned on its head. The Mets took two against Miami, as was expected given the Marlins' dismal 2024 campaign, but then they swept the Padres in three games for the first time in 18 years.
The ensuing seven-game winning streak marked the second time all year New York won more than three contests in a row, and Mets players were quick to recognize the momentum shift. Soon, they were attributing their success to Grimace's mound appearance as much as they were their own adjustments, including praise for the mascot from pitcher Tylor Megill on Instagram and a tribute to the purple character on first baseman Pete Alonso's cleats in late July.
Since then, Grimace and the Mets have become synonymous, and the mascot makes frequent appearances at Citi Field to support the team, bringing his good karma with him.
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Sporting an undersized black ball cap and an oversized baseball glove, Grimace displayed great form tossing his pitch to home plate. Here's how the mascot did in his first mound appearance.
The numbers don't lie. New York went on a tear immediately after Grimace's first appearance at Citi Field, propelling the team to an eventual playoff berth. The Mets upset the Brewers in Milwaukee in the wild-card round and are currently matched up with the Phillies in the National League Division Series.
The Queens-based franchise is the only one to have played a complete series in the first round since the wild-card era began. In 2022, they lost at home to the Padres in three games -- a San Diego team that went on to beat the Dodgers in the NLDS before falling to Philadelphia for the pennant. Every other wild-card series has been won in two-game sweeps.
That wasn't the case this year, when Alonso saved New York's season with a three-run home run in the top of the ninth against Milwaukee in Game 3 to come back from 2-0 down. The win sent the Mets through to the divisional round for the first time since 2015 when they lost the World Series to the Royals.
Here's a better look at just how New York's season turned around after Grimace's birthday this year during the regular season.
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The Mets mean business when it comes to recognizing Grimace's contributions to the team's monumental 2024 season. On Sept. 16, exactly two weeks before the team clinched a postseason berth in a decisive win over the Braves just a day before the playoffs began, the franchise revealed a commemorative purple seat in section 302's sixth row.
The chair's number, 12, and its row, 6, signify June 12, the date of Grimace's season-altering first pitch. Tickets are available for the seat if fans are so inclined to honor the mascot in their own special way.