This Week in Mets Quotes: I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day

Lots of interesting, funny, idiotic, and insightful things were said by the Mets—and about them—recently. Here are some of our favorites.

Your 2024 New York Mets: Is it magic?

“No. I believe in us working hard and the results will happen after.” -Mark Vientos [FanGraphs]

Game 1: Mets 6, Phillies 2

“Wheeler was unbelievable. We haven’t seen that type of velocity out of him and stuff out of him for a while. It’s as good as it gets.” -Rob Thomson [FanGraphs]

“I did have four walks but those were me just being very careful with a 1-0 lead, and you can’t make mistakes in the playoffs. So if the pitch was up and in, I was going to make sure it was up. I didn’t want anything to leak back or anything like that.” -Zack Wheeler [FanGraphs]

“What separates aces from the others is that stuff, on top of the location, and their ability to make you chase. So honestly, you’re just trying to stay in the zone, and that’s what separates great hitters as well: Being able to stay in the zone and being able to do damage when they do come in there, but [also] being able to take your walks if that’s what the game asks of you right then. I think that’s what helped us to be able to finally get him out of the game.” -Brandon Nimmo [FanGraphs]

“This is the craziest team I’ve been on. We laugh about it. We make fun of each other, and we’re like, ‘This is a zoo.’ Because we just never know what’s going to happen.” -J.D. Martinez [MLB]

“Exactly the same [as Bowden Francis taking a no-hitter into the 9th only to lose to the Mets], Like, a guy just absolutely dominated. He’s as locked in as can be. All right. You wait for one mistake and you move. And it was great. We have a lot of guys that aren’t panicking in these situations, especially in a hostile environment.” -Ryne Stanek [MLB]

“When you compete, it’s just a matter of time.” -Jose Iglesias [MLB]

“Winning Game 1 is important. It puts pressure on the other team,” Nimmo said. “But there’s a lot of professionals here. That side has very mature players that have been here and done this before. So they understand that losing Game 1 does not put them down and out. And they will come ready to go tomorrow, there is no question about that.” -Brandon Nimoo [FanGraphs]

Game 2: Mets 6, Phillies 7

“Obviously, it feels horrible. We lost. Walk-off. Not the way we wanted it to go.” -Tylor Megill [MLB]

“Díaz, he’s one of the best closers in the game for a reason, and his stuff is electric.His fastball was running more than it has, it felt like, in the past. I was trying to beat one of those heaters to the outside part of the plate. He threw a slider that I thought I could finally hit, and was able to pull it down the line.” -Bryson Stott [MLB]

“He’s Nick Castellanos, he’s a professional hitter, and he’s hit his whole career. He came up big for us a lot this year. It feels like every walk-off hit is Nick, and that’s who he is. And his heart rate doesn’t get up, stays the same. And gets the swing off.” -Bryson Stott [FanGraphs]

“It’s a challenge, but guys will step up. You’re trying to stay away from different guys, because you’re going to need all of them.” -Carlos Mendoza [FanGraphs]

“It’s all hands on deck. You’re trying to piece it together however you possibly can to win the game.” -Brandon Nimmo [FanGraphs]

“This is a big moment for us and I’ve got to be ready always.” -Edwin Diaz [FanGraphs]

Game 3: Mets 7, Phillies 2

“I haven’t had the most amazing career but through the ups and downs and through the hardships, that’s what makes games like this mean so much.” -Sean Manaea [MLB]

“He got us today. He beat us.” -Bryce Harper [MLB]

“When he can command the slider and the changeup and the fastball, it’s like they have no shot. Because he’s locating everything. When he’s like that, he’s unbelievable.” -Francisco Alvarez [MLB]

“I’m trying to find a way to articulate it. He just doesn’t let the moment get too big for him.” -Jeremy Hefner [MLB]

Game 4: Mets 4, Phillies 1