- The Mets advanced to the NLCS after beating the Phillies on Wednesday night
- And there were wild celebrations after the team won at Citi Field
The champagne was flowing in the Mets’ locker room Wednesday night after they defeated the Phillies 4-1 to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2015.
After a season that started with an 0-5 start and saw the Mets play 11 games under .500 in June, New York’s fairytale season continues after they passed Philadelphia in four games.
And the ensuing festivities afterward were understandably wild as a raucous locker room sprayed alcohol everywhere — as is tradition after winning an MLB playoff series.
Photos from New York show the champagne and beer-soaked scenes, with many players wearing goggles to protect their eyes.
An “OMG” sign also made its way into the locker room, honoring the hit — performed by infielder Jose Iglesias — that has become an anthem for the team and its fans this season.
The Mets celebrate in the locker room after beating the Phillies 4-1 in Game 4 of the NLDS
An “OMG” sign – in honor of Jose Martinez’s hit – was passed around the locker room
The Mets had not won a playoff series in their home stadium since 2000 at Shea Stadium
A video of the MLB on Fox X account even showed the team singing the song out loud after their huge win.
Outfielder Starling Marte even brought the champagne showers to the stands shortly after the game ended, spraying fans behind home plate with a huge smile on his face.
The victory marks the team’s first victory celebration in Citi Field’s 16-season history.
The last time the Mets won a playoff series in their home ballpark was the 2000 NLCS at Shea Stadium.
With tears in his eyes, outfielder Brandon Nimmo hugged shortstop Francisco Lindor as the Mets excitedly streamed onto the field after the final out.
“This is the kind of thing I dreamed about,” Nimmo said in a clubhouse interview shown on the giant video board in the center. ‘This has taken a long time. We wanted it so bad for our fan base.”
Mets 1B Pete Alonso (right) and OF Harrison Bader celebrate in the locker room
Starling Marte sprays champagne into the stands after the Mets beat the Phillies
Mets shortstop Luisangel Acuna (2) celebrates in the clubhouse after beating the Phillies
Lindor hit a grand slam in the sixth inning, his final clutch swing in a storybook season, and the New York Mets reached the NLCS with a 4-1 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday.
Edwin Díaz retired Kyle Schwarber with two runners aboard to end it as New York shut down the rival Phillies in Game 4 of their best-of-five Division Series, winning 3-1 to make its first postseason appearance ‘ series to complete at home. in 24 years.
‘I want to win everything. And our team will be a team that will be remembered forever,” Lindor said, speaking in the interview room with one of his young daughters on his lap, drinking from a Gatorade bottle.
‘This will be a team that comes every ten years and eats for free everywhere. And I want to do that. I want to do that. But the job is not done yet.’
After three days of rest, New York opens the best-of-seven NLCS on Sunday at the San Diego Padres or Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers evened the series at 2-2 with an 8-0 win in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Alonso is seen spraying champagne in the Mets clubhouse after heading to the NLCS
New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz (39) reacts after closing the NLDS with a strikeout
“Let’s keep this thing running!” Mets slugger Pete Alonso told the reveling fans still in the stands as he left the clubhouse party for an on-field interview with his large glasses shielding his eyes. ‘So proud of this group. We have overcome so much.’
New York is chasing its third World Series championship and first since 1986.
“I want to defeat the negative perceptions of Met fans, and we are on our way to doing that,” owner Steve Cohen said.
For the NL East champion Phillies, who won 95 games and finished ahead of the wild-card Mets six times during the regular season, it was an acrimonious exit early in the playoffs and a disappointing step back after they advanced to the 2022 World Series and then lost Games 6 and 7 of the 2023 NLCS at home to Arizona.