- The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 1, 2014

New York Mets fans have spoken — and clearly Mayor Bill de Blasio isn’t a pitching mound favorite.

Citi Field fans mercilessly booed him Monday as he stepped on the field to deliver the first pitch on opening day, then booed some more as he left, the New York Post reported.

The mayor just shook it off, painting the outside corner for a strike.

“As for the response of the crowd, I think everyone is going to be too cold to respond,” he said, according to the Post. “But whatever it is, it is — I’m a sports fan. Sports fans have a right to express themselves any way they want.”

Mr. de Blasio was decked out in a Mets jersey with a No. 6, in honor of former Boston Red Sox great and Brooklyn native Rico Petrocelli, mayoral aides told the Post.

The Mets ultimately lost, 9-7, to the Washington Nationals in 10 innings.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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