'That team, which insulted players for errors and poured out abusive language,' has now 'finally' suffered a 12-game losing streak → 'Lotte' did it! A 24-year drought after even sending a U.S. national team starter

*This content was translated by AI.

The New York Mets, the second-highest payroll "star squad" in Major League Baseball, have effectively descended into a "disgraceful family," continuing an endless slide. Following internal revelations that players hurled abusive language and insulted each other during games, the team has now lost 12 consecutive games, falling into a historic losing streak that will be etched in the franchise's history.

On the 22nd (Korean time), the Mets lost 3-5 in a home game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in Queens, New York, in the "2026 Major League." They collapsed after allowing two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning while tied 3-3.

As a result, the Mets have suffered 12 consecutive losses since their game against Arizona on the 9th, marking their longest losing streak in 24 years since the 2002 season. Like the KBO League Lotte Giants did last August, they failed to win for 12 consecutive games.

It is said that no team in the entire history of Major League Baseball that recorded a 12-game losing streak has ever advanced to the postseason. The Mets' franchise record for the most consecutive losses is 16, set in the 1962 season. If they lose five more games, they will break that record.

To break their losing streak, the Mets fielded starting pitcher Nolan MacLean (25), who had represented the "U.S. National Team" at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held in March. MacLean, who started the game, delivered a strong performance over 6⅔ innings, allowing five hits, striking out 10, walking none, and giving up three runs. In the lineup, Francisco Lindor, who had been at the center of criticism, hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 3rd inning, seemingly firing the starting gun for his revival.

However, they lacked the stamina to hold on. They allowed one run in the top of the 7th while leading 3-2, tying the game, but could not escape after scoring in the 3rd. In the top of the 9th, with the score tied 3-3, "closer" Devin Williams walked two batters, creating a bases-loaded, no-out crisis, and then surrendered a sacrifice fly and a walk-off walk, leading to their collapse. Even in their final offensive opportunity in the bottom of the 9th, the Mets remained silent, ultimately accepting the humiliating record of a 12-game losing streak at home.

The prevailing analysis is that the Mets' ongoing slump stems not merely from a decline in skill but from internal division. In November last year, reports emerged that key players Francisco Lindor (32) and Jeff McNeil (33) publicly exchanged abusive language and insults toward each other in open settings after errors occurred, sending shockwaves through the baseball world.

Ultimately, McNeil was traded to the Oakland Athletics, but the team atmosphere remains cold. With criticism overshadowing support for teammates, the departure of "the man worth 1 trillion won" Juan Soto and Jorge Polanco due to injuries further exacerbated the leadership vacuum. Although Lindor hit a home run today, he has yet to find his rhythm, with his season batting average stagnating at 0.209.

With this loss, the Mets' season record stands at 7 wins and 16 losses (a winning percentage of 0.304), dropping them to sole last place in all of Major League Baseball. This occurred because the Kansas City Royals, who were previously tied with the Mets, defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 today. The Mets are now firmly in last place in the National League East Division.

In particular, there are criticisms that Carlos Mendoza, the manager who was retained despite the team's failure to reach the postseason in the 2025 season, has completely lost his leadership. Unable to quell internal discord and accused of tolerating the laziness and declining performance of high-salary players, he can no longer escape blame.

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*This content was translated by AI.