Tom Seaver statue unveiled, Mets mash 4 home runs, beat Diamondbacks 10-3 in Citi Field opener
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NEW YORK — Opening day at Citi Field started with a salute to Tom Seaver and ended with cheers for Francisco Lindor.
The star shortstop homered from both sides of the plate to back another stingy outing from newcomer Chris Bassitt, and the New York Mets routed the sloppy Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3 in their home opener Friday.
Starling Marte launched a three-run shot, his first homer for the Mets in his first home game with the team. And on Jackie Robinson Day around the majors, Robinson Canó — named for the civil rights pioneer — connected for the first time since September 2020.
"Marte was unbelievable today. Lindor was unbelievable today. It was a good read of what this team can be for a lot of games this year," Bassitt said.
Seaver's widow Nancy and daughters Sarah and Anne spoke during a 40-minute pregame ceremony as the Mets unveiled a long-awaited statue of the Hall of Fame pitcher outside the ballpark. His grandsons, Thomas and Tobin, threw out ceremonial first pitches.
Hours later, Bassitt and three New York relievers limited the punchless Diamondbacks to three hits.
"It's a good day for our fans. Get a chance to honor Tom and Jackie. It starts there," new manager Buck Showalter said after winning his first home game with the Mets. "Regardless of what the outcome of the game was, it was the right thing to do. A lot of pressure on us to deliver."
Lindor and Canó, who sat out last season while serving his second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, both wore special cleats for Jackie Robinson Day.
Canó has four career home runs on the anniversary date, and was asked if it was especially meaningful to homer on this day.
"For sure. This is the day that myself and everybody is always going to remember," he said. "You do something special on that day."
Pete Alonso lofted a pair of early sacrifice flies for New York (6-2), which has the best record in the majors. Travis Jankowski, subbing in center after two Mets outfielders went on the COVID-19 injured list, had three hits.
"We got thrown a pretty good curveball," Showalter said. "We got off script today and our guys responded well."
Acquired from Oakland in a trade last month, Bassitt (2-0) allowed one run and two hits in six innings. He received a warm ovation from the sellout crowd of 43,820 as he walked off the mound at the end of his Citi Field debut.
The All-Star right-hander struck out six and walked two. He fanned eight over six innings of three-hit ball last Saturday in his initial outing for the Mets, a 5-0 win at Washington.
Daulton Varsho clocked his first homer of the season off Bassitt in the sixth.
"We've got to be better," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "This is a big stage for a young team. They're learning on the job.
"They made some young mistakes, we know that. I don't think anybody was overwhelmed. We just didn't execute."
Batting left-handed, Lindor chased Zach Davies (0-1) with a two-run drive into the second deck in right field that made it 5-0 in the fifth. The $341 million switch-hitter followed Marte's three-run homer in the eighth with a shot to left off reliever Caleb Smith.
It was Lindor's 14th career multi-homer game and the fourth time he's gone deep from both sides of the plate.
"It's a very lethal lineup," Lovullo said.
Lindor also walked twice, stole a base and scored three times in an auspicious start to 2022 at Citi Field after he was often booed last year during a miserable first season with the Mets. He was cheered loudly Friday from the get-go during pregame introductions.
"It's amazing to be welcomed to one of the greatest fan bases out there. It felt great to be able to hear the home crowd cheering me on and cheering the rest of the guys," Lindor said. "Fantastic. Exactly what we expected."
Marte, who signed a $78 million, four-year contract as a free agent in November, also stole a base and scored three times. He finished with three hits.
"I want kids to be able to come here and see how to play the game the right way," Marte said through a translator.
NUMBERS GAME
New York starters are 6-0 with a 1.32 ERA this season, and the Mets improved to 40-21 in home openers — including 10-4 at Citi Field.
SNAKE SKINNED
New York has won 11 in a row against the Diamondbacks at Citi Field since the start of 2018, outscoring Arizona 61-21.
SPEED AND POWER
New York went deep four times in its home opener for the first time. The Mets also have seven steals through eight games — they didn't reach seven stolen bases last year until their 29th game on May 8.
Lindor has three home runs. It took him 33 games to hit that many last season.
"I'm giving myself time to hit. I'm slowing the game down and I'm being consistent," he said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: SS Nick Ahmed (right shoulder inflammation) got seven at-bats at the team's spring training complex Thursday. ... Arizona catcher Carson Kelly was rested after starting 0 for 15 this season. ... SS Geraldo Perdomo was shaken up after getting hit just above the right elbow by a 92 mph fastball, but remained in the game.
Mets: Showalter said RHP Taijuan Walker (right shoulder bursitis) and reliever Trevor May (triceps) are doing well, and he thinks Walker has a chance to come off the 10-day injured list as soon as he's eligible on April 22. Showalter said LHP David Peterson is a "solid option" to start Sunday in Walker's place. ... OFs Brandon Nimmo and Mark Canha were placed on the injured list after a Mets coach tested positive for COVID-19. The team did not say whether Nimmo and Canha tested positive, and Showalter would not say whether either player is vaccinated.
UP NEXT
Arizona RHP Zac Gallen faces Mets RHP Carlos Carrasco on Saturday. Humberto Castellanos is scheduled to start Sunday for the Diamondbacks after Smith was moved to the bullpen.
Mets home opener photo gallery
Citi Field sells out, Mets fans confident on perfect day in Queens
Friday was an amazin' day for baseball in Queens. Under clear and sunny, a sellout crowd of almost 44,000 fans came to Citi Field for the Mets' home opener.
The newly-unveiled statue of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver now greets fans outside the ballpark. Between that and MLB's celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, this was a day Mets fans couldn't miss, CBS2's Steve Overmyer reported.
"Oh my God, I have not stopped smiling since 7 this morning. I woke up and I was like 'It's opening day! Let's go, let's go, we got to go!'" one woman said.
2022 marks the 60-year anniversary for the Mets. Over the years, fans have endured and loved the team nonetheless.
The anticipation for the home opener started with a silk sheet draped over the bronze statue, and a widow still grieving, but grateful.
"Hello, Tom. It's so nice to have you here where you belong," Nancy Seaver said.
Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza called Seaver the greatest Met of all time.
"Stunning, beautiful. It's such an amazing tribute to the man, the team and everything he represented. We couldn't be happier. I mean you can see, it's stunning. It's also going to be great for future generations when they come in to the ballpark to see him there. It's a glorious day, we got great weather. Now we just need to win today. It'll be perfect," Piazza said.
The new statue of Tom Seaver showcases "The Franchise," in his iconic drop and drive delivery, unleashing another strike.
"The Mets were always the underdogs and Tom Seaver allowed us to cheer for the Mets and bring us a World Series," a fan said.
1969 seemed like a miracle. But this year's team is hoping to return to the Fall Classic for a fan base that's brimming with confidence.
Mets get it done
The Mets hit four home runs and defeated the Diamondbacks 10-3 in their home opener.
Lindor goes back-to-back
Francisco Lindor's second home run of the game gives the Mets a 10-1 lead.
Marte's 3-run shot
Starling Marte hit his first home run as a Met, a 3-run shot in the 8th.
Lindor crushes one
Francisco Lindor gives the Mets a 5-0 lead with a 2-run home run in the 5th.
Cano homers on Jackie Robinson Day
Robinson Cano's first home run of the season extends the Mets' lead to 3-0 in the 4th inning.
Mets fans thrilled to be back at Citi Field
If you ask these Mets fans, Citi Field is the tailgating capital of New York - and nothing is better than Opening Day.
"It's like Christmas morning to all Mets fans," one fan said.
It's a tradition that most can't miss.
"It just kinda happened, I suppose. We started doing it and we just kept doing it, and now we can't miss it! Have to do it. Twenty-nine years," said Evan Marcus.
Word of mouth helped organize and grow one group of fans from 10 to 270 people over 15 years. They all share food, drinks and laughs.
"We do it just because we love the team, we love the game. It's the spirit of getting everyone together to have fun on Opening Day. It's the best day of the year," said Dan Walz from Port Washington.
Others, like Henry Granison from Ithaca, were first timers. Granison was born a few days after the Mets played their first game in 1962.
"It's just a special bond. I've always been a Mets fan," Granison said.
Speaking of special bonds, Shane Pallotta bought his 2015 Mustang because it was advertised on the field during a Mets game. He said driving it in on Friday felt like he was bringing it home.
"I walked into a dealership in Queens and I saw it, and it still had the Mets banner on the front, on the hood. Jacob deGrom had signed it, so I snatched it up," Pallotta said.
With rolled-back COVID restrictions, the stadium will be at 100 percent capacity this year, something fans have been eager for.
"We watch every game at night at home too, but there's nothing like being there in person and cheering 'Let's go Mets' with 45,000 other people," said Carol Marcus.
There are only a few things that could make the day even better for Mets fans.
"I like when they hit home runs, and I like when they win," said 9-year-old Aidan Biglin.
Watch the full Tom Seaver statue ceremony
Starting lineup for the Mets
First look at the Tom Seaver statue
Special moment for Seaver family
The Mets presented Tom Seaver's wife, Nancy, with a bouquet of flowers before unveiling a 10-foot statue honoring the late pitching legend.
