Uh-oh, what just happened at Citi Field? Let’s just say it’s something beyond the bounds of belief. The New York Mets have unintentionally crossed a fine line between PR nightmare and clever fan service. Now, if you’re wondering how bad it could be, we’ll have to tell you that it’s so bad the Metsies aren’t talking about their 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Instead, the full burnt of backlash is coming their way.
Enough with gatekeeping. It all went wrong when, in the middle of the game, the scoreboard mistakenly displayed seven ghost emojis with three consecutive Ks. And naturally so, everyone associated the screen with the reference to white supremacist groups.
Oh this is unfortunate… pic.twitter.com/r86HnOhxo8
— The Mets Newsletter (@metsnewsletter) May 14, 2025
Sure, it was an oversight, but it came off as offensive to many. The group that attendees referred to with the display is a racist, far-right hate group founded in 1865. Now, what prompted the Mets Nation to be so sure that the Mets have crossed a line is the presence of white supremacist emblems.
The white pointed hoods and robes these groups wear, along with the ghost emojis on the scoreboard and three consecutive Ks, drew the association. What’s even worse is that this isn’t the first time the Mets have found themselves in the middle of such controversy.
It goes back to 2014 when the Mets had to issue a public apology for accidentally referring to Dice-K as ‘Dice’ with two additional Ks instead of just one, forming three consecutive Ks. Apparently, it was Daisuke Matsuzaka who had struck out the side in the first inning. And the Mets took to their social media and referred to Matsuzaka as Dice’ and three Ks, tweeting that he was off to a quick start.
OOPS! Just when they realized the severity of the situation, they deleted the post and issued an apology, saying, “That was unintended. We’re glad he struck out the side. #DiceK.”
They weren’t spared the backlash even then, and this time, the backlash has only gotten intense. This time, the picture of the scoreboard has gone viral, and the Metsies are not holding back.
Fans react to Mets’ scoreboard with a mix of wrath and sarcasm
No, fans didn’t see the scoreboard reference as just a mishap. Just as the image of seven ghost emojis with the letters that represent a white supremacist group appeared on the scoreboard, fans, especially the Metsies, were quick to react with pure disbelief, sarcasm, and rage.
Well, sure, whoever was behind this blunder definitely didn’t know the consequences: “Oh no. Someone did not think this through.” The emojis and the three K letters read together immediately created controversy for the Mets. Because, of course, at one end of the spectrum, people do not want to be associated with white supremacists. On the other hand, there are the Mets, who have once again associated themselves with this controversy.
Then, a straight shot came towards the Mets’ systems and lack of control: “dude you’ve gotta be fxn kidding me…how does no one see this in the control room.” It was clear that for a franchise like the Mets, such oversights will obviously spark backlash. Fans suggested that they should have been at least a bit more careful since the incident of 2014.
Not all were offended. Some just found it hilarious: “the jokes write themselves .” This time, juxtaposition couldn’t be any more ironic, unsettling, and purely offensive. However, there are always those who manage to take a sarcastic jab at such instances.
The scoreboard evidently portrayed emblems of white supremacy that the fans had no reason to be doubtful about. “Yeah, this is gonna kill with the mistaking obvious ghosts for kl—men crowd. You’re a true comedy genius.” The three Ks with ghost emojis, along with LGM (Let’s go Mets), were so easy to spot if the concerned people were attentive. However, it was baffling to the fans that this oversight was not rectified. And moreover, it was successful in disappointing the attendees.
The fans even speculated that it’s not possible that it was just a mistake. “There’s no way someone didn’t do this shit on purpose.” Well, it was certainly unintentional but the damage was already done. So, naturally, fans found this visual to be significantly harmful imagery.
We are in an era in which any unintentional oversight about something dark is just enough to go viral in seconds and ignite immediate outrage. The Mets responded with an apology last time. Now, the fans await to see if the Mets have anything to say about it.
The post Disturbing Mets Display Disaster Sparks Fan Fury With Offensive Imagery: “Someone Did Not Think This Through” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
