Steve Cohen has made a name for himself as one of MLB’s most aggressive owners since taking over majority control of the New York Mets in 2020. With all the money he’s poured into the roster, you’d expect packed stadiums in return.
But that wasn’t the case in 2024 — something Cohen publicly pointed out, saying he was disappointed by attendance at Citi Field during the pennant race.
He specifically referenced the Sept. 16 game, when only about 21,000 fans showed up — a surprisingly low turnout for a club with one of the highest payrolls in baseball. But so far in 2025, Mets fans have responded in a big way.
Steve Cohen Sends Message to Mets Fans
Cohen recently praised Mets fans for creating an electric atmosphere at Citi Field. The team now ranks eighth in average attendance, up from 18th in 2024. The jump isn’t shocking — Cohen’s callout last year likely sparked some response, and the addition of superstar Juan Soto has added another level of excitement.
On Dec. 11, 2024, the Mets signed Soto to a 15-year contract worth $765 million — the largest contract in professional sports history.
Soto is off to a slow start by his standards, slashing .233/.364/.389 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. In 2024, Soto finished at .288/.419/.569 with a career high 41 home runs in 157 games played.
But with an 18-7 start to the season, the Mets nonetheless look like a legitimate World Series contender. One of the biggest surprises has been the Mets’ starting rotation, which has outperformed expectations thanks to strong early showings from Tylor Megill and David Peterson.
We need to keep riding this wave . There will be mean reverson at some point but there is something special happening at Citifield. So much fun !
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2)
Add in Clay Holmes, plus the return of arms like Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, and suddenly the rotation looks more like a strength than a weakness. It’s a deep group — built to withstand the grind of a 162-game season.
The most impressive member of that bunch has been ace Kodai Senga. After battling injuries in 2024, Senga has been sensational in his four starts in 2025. In 22.2 innings, Senga has pitched to a 0.79 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP.
Pair that rotation with a stacked lineup featuring Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, and the Mets are clearly built to compete. If there’s a gap to fill by the trade deadline, Cohen has shown he won’t hesitate to spend and address it.
With the team surging and fans packing the park, it’s easy to see why Citi Field could stay rocking all summer. Buckle up, Mets fans — this could be one of the most exciting seasons yet.