The rivalry between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves reached a fever pitch on the final day of the 2024 season. With the Mets needing to win one game of a doubleheader in Atlanta to reach the playoffs, tensions were high when Francisco Lindor launched a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning.
The 8-7 loss was a punch in the gut for Braves fans as it helped New York clinch a playoff spot but it also was devastating considering the Atlanta bullpen coughed up a six-run top of the eighth inning that featured a two-run home run by Brandon Nimmo.
The Braves came back with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning before serving up Lindor’s go-ahead home run in the ninth. But Mets fans have adopted Nimmo’s home run as a cult hero moment as he stuck his tongue out while running the bases. The Mets’ outfielder addressed the home run for the first time since that Sept. 30 showdown during Spring Training and got some unexpected support from a Braves star when he explained his actions.
Michael Harris Jr. Laughs Off Brandon Nimmo’s Celebration in Game 161
Nimmo discussed the home run with Vito Calise on the “Meet at the Apple” podcast this week. When Calise revealed he had a shirt made of Nimmo’s home run trot in the game against the Braves, Nimmo revealed that he did it because Braves outfielder Michael Harris Jr. was flashing his tongue at the Mets the entire game.
“Michael Harris had been giving us the tongue the whole…game and he caught some regular fly ball with his tongue out. And so I thought, ‘Hey, if you’re going to give it, you got to be able to take it, too.’” Nimmo said. “So [I] gave him the tongue on the way around. And then we took the lead, and then they took the lead back. It was a heck of a game. And you know, obviously, everybody knows the rest.”
Nimmo’s recall of the home run produced plenty of laughs but also elicited a response from Harris on social media. But instead of being bitter over the home run, Harris laughed it off and tipped his cap to Nimmo’s explanation.
“We need more of this, honestly,” Harris said with three laughing emojis.
Harris and Nimmo were able to laugh at last year’s interaction and there could be more coming. The Mets are looking to take another step toward a championship after adding Juan Soto last offseason. The Braves will also be in contention when Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. return from injury. It sets up a chance for New York and Atlanta to set up some big matchups in the 2025 season and perhaps a chance for Harris to get his revenge this summer.