Some sports moves make fans celebrate. Others make them stare at their phones in disbelief. That was the reaction around New York when the New York Jets reunited with quarterback Geno Smith, a decision that quickly sparked sarcasm and confusion among parts of the fan base.
For New York Mets fans, there is a baseball comparison that captures the same feeling: the idea of the Mets bringing back former catcher Travis d’Arnaud.
Not anger. Not outrage. Just the familiar, exhausted humor that comes when a fan base sees a move that feels strangely nostalgic — and slightly puzzling.
Keith Hernandez captures the moment
The comparison even came up during a Mets broadcast when former first baseman Keith Hernandez joked about the Jets news.
Speaking with reporter Steve Gelbs, Hernandez quipped, “Steve, are you OK? I can take over for you for a half inning if you want.”
The booth laughed, but the comment captured exactly how many Jets fans were reacting online — a mixture of disbelief and humor.
A Mets parallel: Travis d’Arnaud
For Mets supporters, the closest baseball equivalent would be the team bringing back Travis d’Arnaud as its starting catcher.
When d’Arnaud first arrived in 2012, expectations were enormous. The Mets acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays in the trade that sent R.A. Dickey north of the border.
At the time, d’Arnaud was considered one of the best prospects in baseball. He ranked No. 17 on MLB’s prospect list and was widely viewed as the top catching prospect in the sport.
The hope was that he would become the franchise’s long-term solution behind the plate.
Expectations vs. reality
Unfortunately for Mets fans, injuries frequently disrupted d’Arnaud’s time in New York.
Between 2014 and 2018, he played more than 100 games only twice, and his 2018 season lasted just four games before he underwent Tommy John surgery.
Over seven seasons with the Mets, d’Arnaud produced a .242 batting average, .303 on-base percentage and a 97 OPS+, along with 47 home runs and 164 RBIs.
Those numbers were respectable, but far from the star-level production many fans had envisioned when he first arrived.
The twist after leaving Queens
Like many former Mets players, d’Arnaud found new success after leaving New York.
In 2020, he resurfaced with the Atlanta Braves and delivered a breakout performance, hitting .321 with a .909 OPS during the shortened season.
The story even mirrors Geno Smith’s career arc in some ways. After struggling early in his career with the Jets, Smith eventually revitalized his career with the Seattle Seahawks, putting together a pair of strong seasons.
Why the comparison fits
That’s why the hypothetical of the Mets reacquiring d’Arnaud feels similar to the Jets’ reunion with Smith.
Both situations involve a once-promising player returning years later after finding success elsewhere. And both moves would likely produce the same reaction from fans: a mix of nostalgia, confusion and sarcastic humor.
For Mets fans, it’s a feeling they know well — the kind that leads to group-chat jokes and the familiar question: “Is this really happening?”
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