How McDonald’s Grimace inspired New York Mets to become the most viral team in baseball history with NLCS next

It started like it often does with the New York Mets – losing, disappointment and mounting fan frustration.

Seven months later, the Mets are the hottest — and most viral — team in Major League Baseball, and now they’re waiting to learn their opponent in the National League Championship Series.

The Mets are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2015, when they eventually lost the World Series to the the Kansas City Royals.

After overcoming the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the NL Division Series, a surreal season – which included an eventful trip to the UK for the London Series – is set up for more October magic.

“I want to win it all. And ours will be a team that will forever be remembered,” said Francisco Lindor, who hit a sixth-inning grand slam that led the resilient Mets to a 4-1 win over the Phillies before 44,103 fans at raucous Citi Field.

“This will be a team that comes every 10 years and eats for free everywhere they go.

And I want to do that. I want to do that. But the job is not done.”

The Mets fired veteran manager Buck Showalter after a disappointing 75-87 finish last season, marking the fifth time in six years that New York moved on from its skipper.