Angry fans call for MLB boycott over ‘unacceptable’ Pride Month stunt during National Anthem at Mets game

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The New York Mets seem to have angered a huge part of their fan base Friday night, June 13.

Right before their matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets caused an uproar by flashing the Pride flag on their massive Citi Field screen during the national anthem.

New York Mets face backlash online over pride flag

The move, part of MLB’s annual Pride Month celebrations, was instantly slammed by fans on social media who felt it disrespected the National Anthem and the country, the Daily Mail reported.

One X user posted a video of the moment and captioned it, “The Mets showed a pride flag instead of the American flag during our National Anthem. Boycott the MLB.”

"I’m a lifelong Mets fan and this is totally unacceptable! I am beyond pissed off. Who thought this was a good idea? Today is Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of our incredible US ARMY. Mets management owes the fans a huge apology. Heads should roll!" another wrote.

"What? Boycott the Mets and make the MLB hold them accountable," a third user fumed.

"The pride flag represents about 1 or 2% of the population....the AMERICAN FLAG represents 100%....this doesn't make sense," a comment read.

"I don’t watch Sports anymore, gave up on the Communistic Sympathizers when All the Kneeling & alternate anthems were rolled out!!!" someone else added.

"Shame on you MLB... Enjoy your Bud Light Moment!" another chimed in.

For those keeping track, June has become the month MLB rolls out the rainbow carpet.

Earlier in the week, the Boston Red Sox made headlines by staging a pre-game drag show.

Out on the West Coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers were spotted donning caps that blended the team’s logo with pride flag colors. But that’s where things took an interesting turn, as Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw had his own take on the symbol.

Clayton Kershaw lauded for his version of the rainbow 

Kershaw, a devout Christian, didn’t sit out Pride Night and added a personal twist instead. He scribbled, “Gen 9:12-16” next to the Pride-colored logo on his cap, referring to a passage from Genesis that refers to the original rainbow.

The scripture reads, “And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.’”

Many on social media quickly picked up on Kershaw's quiet but powerful protest, with fellow Christians applauding his stand.

"Just became a fan of Keshaw. More attention is needed on where rainbows come from and what it ultimately means. Sad to see a sign of God’s covenant be hijacked," a person wrote.

"Classy move by Kershaw. The rainbow he supports has nothing to do with Pride month," another said.

"For those saying that wasn’t enough and he shouldn’t have worn the hat, I say he did something far better: showed what the rainbow really means," one individual added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.