The New York Mets’ game at Citi Field on Sunday started off perfectly, with Pete Alonso hitting big and the team securing a series victory. However, things took an unexpected turn when the Mets decided to make a bold move by inviting an 8-year-old TikTok influencer known as “The Rizzler” to throw the ceremonial first pitch for their Kids Opening Day. This decision, aimed at engaging younger fans, quickly sparked controversy.
The Rizzler, famous for his viral ‘rizz’ face on social media, was chosen to make the event memorable. However, the pitch itself was a letdown. The child, who is more accustomed to creating funny videos than pitching on a baseball field, failed to make the throw land, which disappointed many fans in the stadium. What was intended to be a fun and lighthearted gesture turned into a major talking point, but not for the reasons the Mets had hoped.
The Ceremonial First Rizz pic.twitter.com/quV3pApZVh
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 6, 2025
The backlash on social media was swift and intense, with many fans criticizing the choice to bring a TikTok star to the mound instead of a traditional baseball figure. While some people found it amusing, many felt the move was disrespectful to baseball’s traditions. The Mets, in an effort to capture the attention of younger fans, seemed to alienate the older, more traditional audience who viewed the influencer’s appearance as out of place in the professional world of MLB.
The criticism ranged from mocking the awkwardness of the pitch to accusing the Mets of prioritizing social media clout over honoring the sport’s roots. Fans expressed their frustration on social media, with some calling the decision “cringe” and even suggesting that the person responsible for booking The Rizzler should be fired. Others felt that the team was resorting to desperate measures to appeal to the younger, social media-savvy crowd, which they perceived as shallow.
Despite the viral nature of the event, the majority of fans didn’t seem to appreciate the choice. Many of them felt the Mets had gone too far in their efforts to modernize the game by involving a TikTok star, a move that seemed to overshadow the traditional values of the sport. The backlash raised questions about whether the team had lost touch with its roots by focusing too much on viral trends.
In the end, while The Rizzler’s first pitch might have gained attention online, it wasn’t well-received by the crowd at the stadium. It remains to be seen if the Mets will reconsider their approach for future events or stick to more traditional choices for ceremonial moments.