Even though the noise from the Yankee Stadium crowd had just begun to fade, it had already set the web blazing. A seemingly innocuous off-field moment became a sensation, causing joy to ripple across the Pinstripes. It wasn’t a record-breaking performance or a highlight reel play. Still, the fans immediately hailed the pitcher as a hero for his clever and loyal showing.

It was Max Fried, the pitcher, who displayed a masterclass performance. He is the Yankees’ most recent acquisition, a $218 million southpaw with a reputation as strong as his fastball. Marking his first appearance in the Subway Series was about more than simply pitching. He made a statement. On the mound, he performed so well that Mets hitters were swinging at nothing, and Yankees supporters cheered in approval. Not only that, he led the Yankees to an 8-2 win in the series finale by striking out eight over six innings, allowing only three hits and two runs.

Fried’s on-field performance definitely won him some fans, but it was something else that made him a Bronx Faithful favorite. It was a moment that served as the cherry on top of this rivalry week. In a video that went viral, Max Fried was approached for his autograph on a Mets cap. Did he sign it? Well, no! But he didn’t exactly decline, but it was his action that caught everyone’s attention. He grinned and shook his head, a quiet but strong response to the severity of the rivalry. That wasn’t it. You know what followed?

He tossed the Mets cap, and it fell to the floor. The moment was captured and then shared by Fanatics on their X handle with the caption, “Rivalry weekend is no joke.” Looking at what Fried did, it’s obvious why. And the Yanks went viral, declaring him the hero, a pure display of emotion for their team.

Interestingly, it was his first Subway series, and he did everything to make fans admire him. The performance was on point, and his postgame reaction was also seen as a plus. Even he enjoyed the thrill of the Subway Series. When asked about his experience, he said, “It was definitely exciting. It was intense with both teams going at it. Both were giving it all they had.” 

He enjoyed it, yes. The Yankees won—yes, they did. And did the fans enjoy the game? A hundred times, yes. Not only on the field but off it too. And this latest Max Fried episode was one of those moments.

Fan reactions: Bronx cheers for its new hero

Fried has surely made a lot of fans! Yankees supporters’ first reaction was nothing short of an eruption of love. It was as if Fried had not only won a game, but also brilliantly captured the spirit of the Subway Series rivalry in one quick, dismissive action. One fan exclaimed, “I love my goat Max! 🤣😭”  It shows how much love and respect Fried has earned. He not only honored the Yankees’ tradition by turning down the Mets cap, but he also won over fans who admire loyalty and spirit.

The words echoed the same sentiment: “That’s our guy.” It represents a deep sense of belonging and respect. To be called ‘our guy’ in the cutthroat world of New York sports is to have won over the fan base for real. This indicates that Fried is more than just a member of the Yankees’ family; he is truly considered an integral part of the team and a living embodiment of the Pinstripes spirit.

But there’s a twist in the story. Was it the Yankee effect? Or is it just the old rivalry brewing?! “Dude is a current Yankee and a Braves legend you can’t believe he would entertain such a hat.” Well, he was with the Braves until last year. When Fried was a Brave, he was in the NL East, right in the thick of things with the Mets. Because of this background, his animosity toward the Mets isn’t something he made up while playing for the Yankees; it’s long-standing and genuine.

No sugarcoated words, just a straightforward remark: “The correct response.” It’s a subtle reference to the unwritten law of rivalries: you don’t blend with your enemy. Fried’s behavior was not only reasonable but also the only thing a true Yankee could do. This rivalry runs so deep that even asking for an autograph can turn into a moment.

The sarcasm and MLB fans are a love story to die for. A comment read, “404’er,” a clever jab resonating with the 404 error not found. No one is more creative than MLB fans. It makes an ironic suggestion that, in Fried’s reality, the Mets hat didn’t exist at all.

Fried’s Subway Series debut was amazing. His pitching demonstrated his brilliance, while his off-field conduct showed he understood the team’s culture and the city’s expectations. He came, he played, and he conquered the fans.