NEW YORK — What was supposed to be a moment of national pride quickly turned into a wave of public outrage at Citi Field on Friday night, after the New York Mets displayed the Pride flag—not the American flag—on the jumbotron during the playing of the national anthem.
Fans had gathered to watch the Mets face off against the Tampa Bay Rays. As the national anthem began, spectators rose to their feet expecting to see the Stars and Stripes proudly displayed. Instead, the jumbotron featured the rainbow-colored Pride flag, and the reaction was immediate—and furious.
What made matters worse? It was Flag Day, a day dedicated to honoring the American flag.
It didn’t take long for fans to voice their frustrations. Social media exploded, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), with fans accusing the Mets of disrespecting the flag, the anthem, and the country.
“How do you forget the American flag on Flag Day? Disgraceful,” one user posted.
“I came to watch baseball and honor the flag—not get a lecture,” another fan wrote.
Many noted that they weren’t objecting to Pride Month being acknowledged at some point during the game—but doing so during the national anthem, and on a day meant to honor the U.S. flag, crossed a line for many.
Major League Baseball has gone all-in on LGBTQ+ Pride Month, encouraging teams to host themed events and fly the Pride colors throughout June. Every team, with one exception—the Texas Rangers—participates in some capacity.
But this marks the first known instance of a team displaying the Pride flag during the national anthem itself, and many see it as a step too far.
Conservative site Breitbart weighed in, noting the timing of the display: “It’s one thing to recognize Pride Month, but swapping out the American flag during the anthem—on Flag Day, no less—is deeply tone-deaf,” one writer noted.
As of Saturday morning, the New York Mets have not issued a public statement about the decision or who was responsible for the jumbotron image during the anthem.
That silence is only fueling further frustration among fans, especially veterans and patriotic Americans who feel this was not just a mistake—but a deliberate political statement at a time meant to unify.
For many fans, the ballpark has long been a place to escape politics—a sanctuary where people of all backgrounds can unite behind a shared love for America’s pastime. But recent years have seen that space become more politicized, especially during nationally televised moments like the anthem.
Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777, holds a special place in American hearts. And for fans in the stands on Friday night, replacing Old Glory with the rainbow flag during the anthem felt like a snub to patriotism and the values that day represents.
Whether it was an oversight or a deliberate move, displaying the Pride flag instead of the American flag during the national anthem—and on Flag Day—struck a nerve with many Americans. For a franchise like the Mets, steeped in tradition and with a broad fan base, the backlash was swift and loud.
Until the Mets speak up, the frustration and confusion will likely continue to simmer. And for many fans, the bigger question remains: Is Major League Baseball listening?
