The New York Mets fan behind the famous thumbs-down gesture is ecstatic to see Todd Frazier join his team.
Gary Dunaier, more commonly known as thumbs-down guy, will always be linked to Todd Frazier, who’s reportedly joining the New York Mets. The fan, who met Frazier in January, is excited that the third baseman is joining the Mets, according to Steven Marcus at Newsday. After meeting earlier this month, they crossed paths again at Frazier’s introduction in a Mets uniform.
So this happened. pic.twitter.com/R8bX0rYRxu
— Sean Farrell (@seanfarrell92) February 7, 2018
“It’s a whole new chapter in the wonderful world of thumbs down,’’ Dunaier, a season-ticket holder, said Tuesday from Manhattan Criminal Court, where he is a court office assistant. He intends to invite Frazier out to dinner to show him around Queens.
“I think it’s great that Todd Frazier is going to be playing with the Mets and I’m certainly looking forward to him motivating his new teammates like he did last year.’’
Frazier joins the Mets after spending a half of a season with the New York Yankees. He slashed a disappointing .222/.365/.423 during his 66 games with the team, although he did slug 11 home runs in pinstripes.
For his career, the third baseman has shown himself to be a pure power hitter. He has 175 home runs in his seven-year career, but has only slashed .245/.321/.459. Power hitting is not something the Mets lack with Yoenis Cespedes, Adrian Gonzalez, Michael Conforto, and Jay Bruce already on the roster.
Frazier, who turns 32 on Feb. 12, has struggled defensively at the hot corner, with a fielding percentage of .965 at the position throughout his career. With the Yankees he exclusively played third base, where he produced a .962 fielding percentage, and that’s the position he is likely to play with the Mets.
Frankly, Frazier appears to be a redundant signing for the Mets. Another power hitter who struggles to hit for average and isn’t great defensively in a pitcher’s park isn’t a change from an already flawed philosophy. However, at least one internet-famous fan is excited by the move.
