The MLB’s Pride Month initiative has hit a wave of controversy — and at the center of it is New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who reportedly sent a defiant 8-word message to league officials after the team was fined for refusing to acknowledge Pride Month on its social media platforms.

Sources close to the league confirm that the New York Mets were issued a $50,000 fine by Major League Baseball after the team failed to participate in the league-wide campaign celebrating Pride Month, breaking from an initiative that all 29 other teams honored with graphics, messages, or themed nights.

When approached by reporters after the decision, Mendoza, never one to mince words, responded with an icy, unapologetic statement:

“We post wins, not politics. See you October.”

The quote, now ricocheting across social media, has ignited a firestorm — earning both applause from some fans and fierce backlash from others.

⚾ A Breaking Point Between Culture and Clubhouse?

While the Mets organization has not released an official statement regarding the fine, insiders suggest that the decision to abstain from Pride Month posts was discussed internally — with Mendoza reportedly advocating for a “focus on baseball only” approach to public-facing team content.

This is not the first time the Mets have stood out in a league known for carefully crafted unity campaigns. But the directness of Mendoza’s response is what’s turning heads — especially in a league where most coaches avoid hot-button topics like the plague.

One MLB insider told The Athletic:

“This wasn’t just silence — this was intentional. And Carlos’s message was loud and clear: let the bats do the talking.”

🌈 Social Media Divided — Fiercely

Unsurprisingly, Mendoza’s eight-word message has sent X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and TikTok into a frenzy. The hashtag #PostWinsNotPolitics began trending within hours — used both by those defending the Mets and those calling the move tone-deaf in 2025.

Some fans praised Mendoza for “keeping the focus on the field,” while others accused the team of cowardice and regressive values.

“So… basic human dignity is now ‘politics’?”
– @TrueBlueDodgerFan

“Carlos Mendoza is a throwback to when managers weren’t spineless. Baseball, not virtue signals.”
– @QueensFaithful

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have expressed disappointment, calling the Mets’ silence “a missed opportunity to stand with fans who’ve supported this team through thick and thin.”

🏟️ Fallout? Or Fuel?

It’s unclear if MLB will escalate the matter or consider the issue closed after the fine. Privately, league officials are reportedly frustrated with the Mets’ stance, particularly as MLB has made Pride Month visibility a cornerstone of its public image campaign since 2022.

However, others in the league are watching closely — especially managers and clubs who’ve grown wary of being pulled into social and political discourse.

One anonymous AL manager said:

“Mendoza said what a lot of us think. There’s a growing belief that baseball should be the escape — not another front in the culture war.”

📅 What’s Next?

As of now, the Mets are 2nd in the NL East, chasing the Braves with momentum — and now with an even sharper media spotlight. Mendoza, already known for his old-school attitude and intense clubhouse control, appears unfazed by the controversy.

Whether his eight words galvanize the team or alienate a part of its fanbase remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain:

Carlos Mendoza just made this Pride Month one of the most talked-about in MLB history — without saying a single word about it.