Mark Vientos is no stranger to the Citi Field atmosphere. The 25-year-old slugger has played 101 games at the ballpark since making his big league debut with the Mets in 2022, and his 2024 breakout season featured some clutch moments that unfolded before raucous postseason crowds.
But there's still one early-career milestone that Vientos is eager to check off the list. The starting third baseman will finally play in his first home opener with the club on Friday afternoon, facing the Toronto Blue Jays.
Most of the sights, sounds, and smells of Citi Field will be plenty familiar to Vientos. But the festivities and atmosphere for a home opener are always special. The excitement of a long-awaited homecoming is what the players and fans deserve every spring.
"This is sick, I'm so excited to be back here," Vientos said ahead of Friday's game. "I think we do a lot of this work, a lot of the grind and a lot of the passion, for the fans. They bring it to the field every game... What is it, a week and a half waiting for this moment?
"I've been anxious and I'm about to do it right now... This is my first home opener over here. I haven't experienced it. I can only imagine [the atmosphere] because of the playoffs last year. I feel like it's super emotional, just to sit back and realize what you're doing..."
As long as the emotions are in check, wearing the home uniform may give Vientos the jolt he need at the plate. The Mets' season-opening road trip consisted of only six games, but he's currently hitting a measly .083 with two doubles and two walks across 26 plate appearances.
Of course, the consistency and power will come for Vientos, who delivered 27 home runs, 22 doubles, and 71 RBI in 111 games last season.
The annual home opener is also meaningful to the coaching staff. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has been in the dugout for several in his career, and he expects his second with the club to be just as thrilling as his first.
"It's always great to be home again, playing in front of your fan base," Mendoza said. "It's a unique atmosphere. The way the fans are into every pitch. They're right there behind you. It's a really good feeling, it's coming from a really good place. It's fun. It's kind of hard to describe, but it's such a special place here."
The Mets have a recent history of success playing Game 1 of 81 at Citi Field, as they've won eight of their last 10 home openers.
