It’s September, which means NHL training camps open soon and the MLB pennant race is in its final stages heading towards the postseason. So, it was fitting that the New York Rangers converged with the New York Mets at Citi Field on Saturday.
Rangers defenseman Adam Fox was one of three local NHL players to throw out the First Pitch before the Mets shut out the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 for their ninth consecutive victory. Fox threw a perfect strike and received cheers from the Blueshirts Faithful in attendance.
Fox also swapped jerseys with Mets centerfielder Harrison Bader before the game. Perhaps his appearance in Flushing was an inspiration because Bader ended a prolonged slump with a solo home run in the sixth inning that jumpstarted a four-run rally.
After the game, Bader met with reporters rocking his Fox No., 23 Rangers jersey.
With their recent hot streak, the Mets are the third wild card in the National League. The Mets last made the playoffs in 2022, losing in the Wild Card round to the San Diego Padres, their only postseason appearance since 2016.
Fox and the Rangers have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs three straight seasons. Last season they set franchise records with 55 wins and 114 points, won the Presidents’ Trophy and reached the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years. They enter training camp later this month among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
Adam Fox joined at Citi Field by Rangers rivals Brett Pesce, Anders Lee
If the Rangers are to again finish first in the Metropolitan Division, they must hold off the challenges from the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders, among others. To that end, Fox was joined at Citi Field by Devils defenseman Brett Pesce and Islanders captain Anders Lee to meet with Mets players.
Like Fox, Pesce — a Westchester native who’s father is a lifelong Mets fan — threw a strike with his First Pitch opportunity. Lee, however, sailed one to the backstop.
“I grew up going to Shea Stadium, Yankee Stadium, you name it,” Pesce told NHL.com . “I loved baseball as a kid so it’s definitely surreal.”
Pesce admitted to being nervous about the First Pitch and actually threw some soft toss with Lee beforehand to prepare for the big moment.
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