Stephen A Smith delivers a passionate rant on the New York Mets before storming off the First Take set.

If there is anything Stephen A. Smith is not, it's a New York Mets fan. But even he has seen enough.

The Mets' $250 million offseason spending spree failed as they find themselves out of the playoffs for the second season in a row.

Andy Green 70 of the New York Mets looks on after a pitching change against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 2, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida.
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The Mets have the second highest payroll in baseball, but have crashed and burned in 2026Credit: Getty

In a season that has been filled with embarrassing moments, perhaps the biggest came this week.

Mets fans turned on their team to cheer and celebrate Pete Alonso, who returned to Citi Field for the first time since signing with the Baltimore Orioles.

"Fire David Stearns" filled the venue all weekend with fans clearly disgusted at the decision to let the first baseman walk in free agency.

When Alonso clubbed his 300th career home run at the ballpark he called home for seven years, Mets fans gave him a curtain call.

Steven A. Smith walks off First Take after furious Mets rant

Things have gotten so bad in Queens that New York Yankees fan Stephen A. Smith took time away from talking about the NFL on First Take on Wednesday.

ESPN's $105m man claimed that former New Jersey governor Chris Christie (who sits on the Mets board of directors) should abandon the franchise.

"Former Governor Chris Christie, who consults for the New York Mets, I really, really think you should strongly consider disassociating yourself with the New York Mets, cause they’re horrible!" Smith ranted.

"I know the man knows his baseball. The Mets are trash! Probably because they ain’t listening to him. They need to listen to somebody. They stink!”

"They stink! Period! Shut up. Play better baseball.

"Steve Cohen, fire your director of baseball operations and pay attention to the hard-working New York Mets fanbase that spends their money patronizing your product.

Stephen A Smith points ahead while delivering a rant on the New York Mets
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Smith urged Christie to run away from the MetsCredit: ESPN
Smith walks off the set with his coffee in his hand
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Smith picked up his coffee and walked off the set clearly finished with the MetsCredit: ESPN

"You have robbed them the last year and a half of a product. You stink! Period!”

Smith then stood up and walked off the set, promoting the show to go to break after a passionate rant.

Smith no stranger to walking off First Take set

Smith's eccentric personality often leads to passionate rants and great reactions. It's not the first time he has walked off set.

He walked off set after clashing with Dan Orlovsky after he found out Orlovsky flew to Hawaii in coach class.

Smith also stormed off after delivering a passionate four-minute rant debating whether the NBA should offer single-elimination games.

When a self-proclaimed Yankees fanatic is so repulsed by the state of the Mets that he abandons the microphone in the middle of NFL season, it signals a rock-bottom moment for the organization.

Juan Soto 22 of the New York Mets reacts after flying out in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 16, 2026 in New York City.
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The Mets face a tough offseason aheadCredit: Getty

With fans walking out of the stadium in protest and chanting for the front office to make drastic moves, owner Steve Cohen and Stearns are set to face an offseason full of tough questions.

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