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NEW YORK — Mets luminaries from a bygone era packed a room in the bowels of Citi Field on Saturday afternoon. Most on hand were protagonists during the franchise’s last World Series championship in 1986. Doc Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Kevin Mitchell, Jesse Orosco, Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez and others were in attendance to celebrate their former teammate Darryl Strawberry, who sat at the podium for a news conference reminiscing about his eight seasons starring in Flushing.

Strawberry’s No. 18 was retired during a pregame ceremony a little later. Mets fans arrived early to watch, filling the stands on a day that will be remembered in this organization’s history. It was a timely palate cleanser, on the first day of June, after a month that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

The Mets are 11-21 since May 1, but the slog has been even uglier lately than that record indicates. The misery really picked up steam on May 13, when All-Star closer Edwin Díaz blew his second save of the season, and over the ensuing weeks the team has been dropping games in every way imaginable.

There was a flurry of bullpen implosions and roster moves. There were injuries, injury setbacks and injury scares. There was a called third strike that went viral, announcers voicing sarcastic optimism on air, a glove angrily thrown into the crowd, an emergency players-only team meeting and a bizarre, misunderstood clubhouse outburst. The frustration leaked onto owner Steve Cohen’s X account.

There are encouraging trends within the turmoil, but getting good offense, good pitching and good defense to align on the same day has been rare. The bullpen is leaky. Fielding miscues are too regular. The rotation lacks a front-line starter with Kodai Senga on the injured list.

There is time for the club with MLB’s highest payroll to rebound. The chaotic stretch, however, has plunged the Mets into a deep hole, with the third-worst record in the National League, and on track for a trade deadline exodus for the second consecutive summer.

The Mets head to London for two games against the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend. Facing the best team in the National League isn’t a recipe for a turnaround, but traveling across the pond might be the change of scenery the team needs to reverse course in a season careening toward disaster.

“They’ll continue to fight, they’ll continue to work and we’ll get through it,” Mets first-year manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But it’s not a secret. It’s been hard for us these past three, four weeks here.”

Here’s a look back at the lowest moments of that stretch.

May 13: Díaz melts down, again (and again and again)

Questions about Edwin Díaz’s injury comeback begin to mount as he blows his second save of the season, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in a loss to the Phillies

Díaz, the Mets’ All-Star closer known for his festive entrances from the bullpen, has endured a nightmarish season so far, after missing all of 2023 with a knee injury sustained at the World Baseball Classic. After the May 13 loss, he would blow another save in his next outing three days later before squandering a four-run lead against the Miami Marlins two days after that. He managed a clean seventh inning in his next appearance after a five-day layoff, but less than 24 hours later, he blew another save in a loss to the San Francisco Giants.

“He’s our closer,” Mendoza said after the loss to San Francisco. “In order for us to win games and get to where we want to get to, he’s got to pitch. And I felt like that was the right spot.”

Four days later, Díaz landed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement.


May 15: Cohen’s ‘DM’ debacle

Responding to a fan arguing that the front office should sell at the trade deadline, Mets owner Steve Cohen tweets, “All in the future, not much we can do until trade deadline,” during another Mets loss to the Phillies

Cohen often engages with fans on social media, though this time doing so backfired for the billionaire owner. The post was widely deciphered as Cohen’s acknowledgment that the Mets again intend to wave the white flag in July, as they did last year when they traded future Hall of Fame pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Cohen quickly deleted the tweet. The next day, he told SNY that the tweet — which he said was meant to be a direct message — was misinterpreted. He emphasized he “fully” expects the team to reach the postseason.

Still, nine days later, after another bullpen implosion, Cohen tweeted that the team’s disastrous stretch was “mind boggling.”

“I didn’t see it,” Mendoza said when asked about the second tweet. “I said it last night: You get pissed. It’s frustrating, but we’re professionals. We know we’re going through it right now, but I just met with our hitters again, we just have to keep going.”


May 24: Another setback for Senga

Mendoza announces Kodai Senga will be shut down for three to five days after an MRI revealed inflammation in his triceps

Senga was supposed to be the Mets’ ace this season, but he hasn’t thrown a pitch yet. The diagnosis came amid his longer-than-expected recovery from a strained posterior shoulder capsule that has sidelined him since February. The Mets expected the right-hander to return before June, but Senga had already made the decision to slow down his rehab– just as he resumed throwing off a mound — to work on mechanics. The triceps inflammation reset his throwing program to playing catch upon being cleared.


May 25: Lindor caught looking — and ‘the sun will come up tomorrow’

With one out, a runner on second, and the Mets leading the Giants 2-1 in the seventh inning, shortstop Francisco Lindor decides he’s not going to swing and instead takes a breaking ball right down the middle of the plate for strike three

Lindor’s early decision not to swing at anything was clear — so clear that the clip went viral. After the game, Lindor explained he wasn’t picking up the spin on reliever Randy Rodríguez’s first five pitches. Lindor, however, swung at two of them — so he simply decided not swinging at all was the best option to reach base.

“He hadn’t thrown a strike,” Lindor said. “I made every pitch a strike, and was helping him out. My best bet was to take a pitch. It just so happened that was the one strike the whole at-bat.”

The Mets would lose 7-2 in 10 innings, producing some wry words of encouragement from SNY play-by-play voice Gary Cohen for viewers: “The Mets are now 9-22 in their last 31 games. … Remember, the sun will come up tomorrow, as difficult as that may be to realize.”


May 29 (Part 1): ‘An inflection point’

David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, tells reporters it is too early to decide whether the team will offload veterans at the trade deadline

The Mets’ record was 22-30 ahead of a doubleheader against the Dodgers when Stearns insisted he will give the roster until the July 30 trade deadline to claw back into the postseason race. He acknowledged the Mets “haven’t played like a playoff team” but said he believed he had “plenty of time” before weighing trades.

“We haven’t won enough games,” Stearns said, “and we certainly recognize that that’s going to need [to] change.”

Stearns, who was hired after the end of the last season, inherited the most expensive payroll in the majors and a team that had massively failed to reach expectations in 2023. He and Cohen pursued free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the offseason, but they settled for several minor moves once Yamamoto chose to sign with the Dodgers.

The offseason didn’t include a contract extension for Pete Alonso, making the star first baseman a prime trade candidate and intensifying speculation as the Mets struggle to win games.

“Nothing’s changed with Pete’s situation,” Stearns said. “Our goal is, on a daily basis, [to] help this team succeed as much as possible so we can win as many games as possible. And that’s where I expect we’ll continue to be.”

The Dodgers went on to sweep the doubleheader that night.


May 29 (Part 2): The Mets-less Mount Rushmore

Asked to name his Mount Rushmore of New York athletes, Mets outfielder Harrison Bader names zero Mets and three New York Yankees — Derek Jeter, Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe. The fourth spot goes unoccupied

Bader grew up a Yankees fan in Bronxville and spent parts of the last two seasons playing in the Bronx. Still, the Mets are paying him $10.5 million this season. The bit went viral. Fans were not pleased.


May 29 (Part 3): Injuries, an outburst and a team meeting

Minutes before first pitch against the Dodgers, the Mets announce Díaz was placed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement. Just as that was being digested, Alonso exits the game after being hit by a 93 mph pitch on his right hand in the first inning. Seven innings later, reliever Jorge López is ejected and throws his glove into the stands. After the loss, Lindor calls a players-only team meeting before López splashes gasoline on the fire, telling reporters he doesn’t regret his actions

López’s postgame comments caused a stir, both for his unfiltered candor and a subsequent debate over what he actually said in his second language. Speaking in English, the reliever called himself “the worst teammate in probably the whole f-ing MLB,” though initially there was confusion over whether he said “teammate” or “team.”

Either way, the Mets had seen and heard enough, and he was designated for assignment the next day. In a statement released shortly thereafter, López apologized for his behavior “on and off the field” and clarified his comment.

His former teammates, meanwhile, were seemingly reenergized after airing out their thoughts and concerns in the team meeting that lasted nearly an hour.

Clubhouse leaders, without offering many details, summarized the meeting to the media, with Lindor explaining he believed it was a chance for players to vent and hold themselves accountable. Brandon Nimmo, who said López’s behavior wasn’t directly addressed, called it “very constructive” and “positive.”

“It just felt like a boiling-over point,” Nimmo said. “It felt like the right time to do it.”

Reliever Adam Ottavino explained the floor was open to anyone who wanted to speak. He noted most of the team, including players who usually don’t openly express themselves, volunteered. They spoke of process and of keeping perspective.

“I mean, we stink right now,” Ottavino said. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to stink going forward.”

The good news was tests on Alonso’s hand showed no structural damage. He delivered a pinch-hit double in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks the next night.


May 31: The roster shake-up

The Mets make six roster moves. Brett Baty, Christian Scott and Omar Narváez are sent out. José Iglesias, Dedniel Núñez and Luis Torrens are brought in

Optioning Baty, a former top prospect, to Triple-A Syracuse was largely expected, because the Mets needed a backup middle infielder and rookie Mark Vientos had outperformed Baty for the starting job at third base.

Demoting Scott, one of the team’s few bright spots this season, was explained as a temporary move as the team navigates an unusual portion of its schedule thanks to this weekend’s trip to London. Acquiring Torrens from the Yankees to replace Narváez was a production-based decision. Narváez was struggling mightily both offensively and defensively.

On the field, the Mets beat the Diamondbacks for the second straight night to open a four-game series. After Friday’s 10-9 win, Vientos noted there was a palpable difference in the vibe after the team meeting.

“Completely different,” Vientos said. “As in — we walk in, the room feels light. There’s good energy. We listen to music. We’re enjoying the game. It’s a kid’s game. So let’s just have fun and play.”

Will June play out better than May did? So far, the results are mixed. The Mets’ post-team-meeting winning streak lasted all of two games, giving way to consecutive losses to Arizona to begin the month and conclude their 10-game homestand, including another draining bullpen implosion Sunday.

Still, the Mets will try for a three-game sweep against lowly Washington on Wednesday. After two much-needed days off, the London Series begins Saturday.

“The front office, they’re going to make decisions no matter what,” Lindor said. “Whether it’s to add or subtract. And whether it’s to focus on the next season or focus on August and September.

“So they’re going to make decisions. I want to be on the side of adding. We don’t have 100-plus games for that moment. But we do have time to make sure we’re above water.”

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Canes reach 3-year, $9.5M extension with Hall

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Canes reach 3-year, .5M extension with Hall

The Carolina Hurricanes have reached a three-year, $9.5 million extension with forward Taylor Hall through the 2027-28 season.

The team announced the signing Wednesday, a day after the Hurricanes closed out the New Jersey Devils in their first-round playoff series. It marked the seventh straight year that Carolina has won at least one postseason series.

Hall, 33, acquired in a blockbuster January deal that included Mikko Rantanen‘s arrival, scored the first of Carolina’s four second-period goals that helped it erase a 3-0 deficit before winning in double overtime. He’s a 15-year veteran who won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP in the 2017-18 season.

“Taylor has proven to be an outstanding fit for our team, and we are thrilled that he is excited to make Raleigh his home for another three seasons,” general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. “He’s been a solid veteran presence in the locker room and a difference maker on the ice.”

Hall had 18 goals and 24 assists in 77 regular-season games between Chicago and Carolina, and also had two assists in the five-game series win against New Jersey. He had missed most of the previous season due to knee surgery and was making $6 million this year with free agency looming, then led Carolina skaters with four power-play goals in the regular season after his arrival.

The Hurricanes acquired the 2010 No. 1 overall draft pick on Jan. 24 in the three-team deal that snagged Rantanen from Colorado, though they later sent Rantanen to Dallas with forward Logan Stankoven as the primary trade-deadline return when it became clear Rantanen was unlikely to sign long-term to stay with Carolina.

Hall and Tulsky are scheduled to address reporters by Zoom later Wednesday.

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Avs’ MacKinnon finalist for Ted Lindsay Award

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Avs' MacKinnon finalist for Ted Lindsay Award

Colorado Avalanche standout Nathan MacKinnon is in contention to repeat as the recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award.

MacKinnon was named a finalist for the award on Wednesday along with Avalanche teammate Cale Makar and Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov.

The award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players’ Association.

MacKinnon, 29, tied Kucherov for the NHL assists lead with 84 and totaled 116 points this season. MacKinnon is the reigning Hart Trophy recipient as the league’s MVP.

Makar, 26, is a first-time finalist for this award and is also up for the Norris Trophy, which was announced Tuesday. He led all defensemen this season in goals (30), assists (62) and points (92).

Kucherov, 31, won his second straight Art Ross Trophy after leading the NHL in scoring with 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists).

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Mammoth gaffe? Utah mum on name after leak

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Mammoth gaffe? Utah mum on name after leak

Utah Hockey Club officials wouldn’t confirm whether “Mammoth” was their new name after it allegedly leaked on the team’s official YouTube channel Tuesday night.

Fans and media noticed that the channel’s handle was changed from “@UtahHockeyClub” to “@UtahMammoth,” on both its landing page and URL. The channel was soon deactivated and remained so on Wednesday morning, but not before screenshots of the name change went viral.

Utah Mammoth was one of three finalists featured in a fan vote at Delta Center to help determine the permanent name of the team, which played its inaugural season in 2024-25 after SEG purchased and relocated the former Arizona Coyotes franchise. Fans voted with iPads located at stations around the arena that featured the names, logos and potential branding for each option.

Originally, the three names voted on were Utah Mammoth, Utah Hockey Club and Utah Wasatch, which was quickly swapped out for Utah Outlaws after the team saw early vote returns.

Mammoth made the final four in the initial fan vote last year.

Utah HC executives wouldn’t confirm or deny that Mammoth will be the team’s new nickname.

Mike Maughan, an executive with Utah HC owner Smith Entertainment Group, said on Wednesday that “progress continues on exploring all three of the name options that were chosen as finalists by our fans. We’re fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25-26 NHL season and look forward to sharing that with our fans when we do.”

When pressed for an explanation on the alleged YouTube leak, Maughan would only say, “We’re fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25-26 NHL season.”

One NHL source told ESPN that the revelation for the team’s new name and logo could come before the NHL draft in late June. This year’s draft is a “decentralized” event, meaning that teams will be making selections from their own sites rather than in one central location. That opens the door for Utah to have an event in Salt Lake City with team officials around the draft.

In other Utah HC news, the team announced Wednesday that Delta Center, home to Utah HC and the Utah Jazz, will be undergoing a renovation to optimize hockey sightlines while maintaining the proximity of basketball fans to the court using a state-of-the-art retractable seating system. It’s a multiyear project that will also create a new main entrance and outdoor plaza.

The first-of-its-kind seating system accommodates a nearly 12-foot variance in elevation between rink and court endlines to offer optimal sightlines for both the NBA and NHL. Every seat in the lower bowl will have a complete view of the ice at the start of next season — the team estimates that 400 seats currently can only see one goal net during games.

The new hockey configuration adds capacity behind the goals and above and around the event tunnels on the north and south side of the lower bowl and improves access to seating behind the boards.

When all renovations are complete, seating capacity for hockey will increase from 11,131 to approximately 17,000 — with every seat in the upper and lower bowls having full views of both goals — and capacity for basketball will increase from 18,206 to nearly 19,000 seats.

“Delta Center was built for basketball. When you come and put the size of an ice sheet in that venue with those sight lines, the geometry just doesn’t work. So that’s where you come up with the riser system configuration. You come up with raising the floor 2 feet,” said Jim Olson, president of the Jazz and executive representing SEG on all facilities projects.

“We are absolutely protecting the basketball experience, but then also creating a great hockey experience where all the seats can see all the ice,” he said.

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