The New York Mets were the first MLB team to take part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. They did so on in 1961 as a way to introduce New York to their new baseball team.
The Mets were given a float and toured the city in the parade. The float featured a few teenage age kids, as well as some of the future members of the team. It was highlighted by the Mets’ first manager and Hall of Famer Casey Stengel.
So, Thanksgiving will always play a huge role in Mets’ history because it is the day that they were introduced to the city of New York.