Anticipation was emanating through Citi Field on Sunday afternoon as the Mets trotted out their latest young pitcher for a home debut: the 22-year-old Noah Syndergaard, nicknamed Thor.
Blue Syndergaard shirts were displayed in the window of a team store. Several people brought replicas of Mjolnir, Thor’s oversized hammer, waving them much like the way Atlanta Braves fans wield foam tomahawks.
Even Syndergaard’s teammates were intrigued. At least nine pitchers and staff members watched him warm up in the bullpen. As Syndergaard walked to the dugout with a white towel draped over his right shoulder, his fellow starters Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Jon Niese followed close behind.