It took a doubleheader between the Mets and Braves on Monday to determine the National League's final two postseason participants. The long day worked out well for everyone on the field, as each team won a game and secured a playoff spot.
But for Diamondback players and fans watching back in Arizona... not so much. The Diamondbacks needed one team to sweep the doubleheader. The split ended their postseason hopes.
Here's a clip of the bizarre double-celebration held in Atlanta's Truist Park after the second game:
Members of the Mets and Braves join up on the field to congratulate each other on making the postseason pic.twitter.com/FISi2s42Vn
Gross.
A split was always the most likely outcome on Monday, because the team that won the first game would not have much incentive to win the second. Sure enough, the Mets scratched game two starter Luis Severino after winning game one. Their offense managed just three hits. The Braves secured their spot in the postseason bracket. And the joint party was on.
The Mets' lack of a game two incentive was not really anyone's fault. The Monday doubleheader was the result of late-season rainouts, not something pre-planned. And playoff teams mailing in meaningful games is nothing new.
But something about this felt worse.
Diamondbacks at home watching this https://t.co/JZtuwDrUBf pic.twitter.com/bqJsPKCKMu
On one hand, this scene is a show of mutual respect from competitors. Players on the Mets and Braves don't have to hate each other personally just because the two fan bases hate each other.
On the other hand, the love on display here is a bad look. Mets fans didn't want to see this. Braves fans didn't want to see this. And Diamondback fans certainly didn't want to see this. Maybe keep the celebrations in your own clubhouses?
It takes a certain level of maturity to understand that professional baseball is more of a brotherhood than fans typically think. It's fantastic when players despise a division rival as much as their fans, but sadly, those occasions will always be exceptions to the rule.
“Perfect answer.” pic.twitter.com/woc1zAgx6q
When that hatred develops, it should be celebrated. But it can't be assumed.
