New York Mets’ Collapse: 12-Game Losing Streak and MLB’s Worst Record Explained

If you’ve been following Major League Baseball this season, you’ve probably heard the whispers—or maybe the outright groans—about the Modern York Mets. But here in Queens, NY, where Citi Field looms over Flushing Meadows like a modern-day Colosseum, the team’s struggles aren’t just a sports story. They’re a local economic pulse, a cultural barometer, and, for many small businesses and families, a source of quiet anxiety. The Mets’ 19 losses this season—the most in the National League—aren’t just a stat line. They’re a ripple effect felt from the halal carts outside the stadium to the real estate offices in Jackson Heights, where brokers field questions from nervous landlords wondering if another losing season will thin the crowds.

And then there’s Kodai Senga, the Japanese pitcher whose $75 million contract was supposed to be a cornerstone of the Mets’ rebuild. Instead, he’s become a symbol of the team’s broader collapse. With four losses and a 9.00 ERA through his first four starts, Senga’s struggles aren’t just bad luck—they’re a microcosm of a franchise that, despite spending $765 million on Juan Soto alone, can’t seem to buy a win. For Queens residents, this isn’t just about baseball. It’s about what happens when a team that’s supposed to be a community anchor starts to feel like a sinking ship.

The Mets’ Meltdown: More Than Just a Bad Season

The numbers are staggering, even by baseball’s standards. The Mets’ 19 losses are the most in the National League, and their 12-game losing streak earlier this month wasn’t just a slump—it was a full-blown crisis. But the real story isn’t just the losses. It’s the way they’re losing. Blowouts. Late-inning collapses. Star players like Soto and Francisco Lindor looking like shadows of themselves. And now, Senga, whose ERA is so high it might as well be a basketball score, has become the latest face of the team’s dysfunction.

For a borough like Queens, where the Mets are as much a part of the identity as the Unisphere or the US Open, this kind of failure isn’t just disappointing—it’s destabilizing. The team’s struggles have already had a tangible impact on local businesses. Capture McFadden’s, the sports bar near Citi Field that’s a pre- and post-game staple for fans. The owner, who asked not to be named, told a local reporter last week that foot traffic is down nearly 30% compared to this time last year. “People don’t desire to pay $12 for a beer when the team’s losing like this,” he said. “They’d rather stay home and watch the Yankees.”

And it’s not just bars. The Mets’ season-ticket sales, which typically account for a significant chunk of the team’s revenue, have reportedly dipped 15-20% this year. That’s money not being spent at local restaurants, not being used to pay for parking, not being dropped at the souvenir stands. For a team that’s already facing questions about its financial future—especially after the 15-year, $765 million contract handed to Soto last offseason—this kind of downturn isn’t just a blip. It’s a warning sign.

Kodai Senga: The $75 Million Question Mark

When the Mets signed Senga in December 2022, the move was hailed as a coup. The 31-year-old right-hander was coming off a dominant season in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he posted a 1.94 ERA and struck out 156 batters in 144 innings. His “ghost fork” pitch—a splitter that drops like a stone—was supposed to be a game-changer. Instead, it’s been a ghost in the worst way. In his first four starts this season, Senga has allowed 20 earned runs in 20 innings, with batters hitting .350 against him. His ghost fork? More like a ghost story.

But Senga’s struggles aren’t just about mechanics. They’re about pressure. The Mets are a team in crisis, and every loss feels like another weight on the shoulders of players who were supposed to be the saviors. Soto, who was brought in to be the face of the franchise, has been booed at home. Lindor, the team’s emotional leader, recently missed three weeks with a calf injury. And now Senga, whose contract includes incentives that could push its value to $100 million, is looking like a cautionary tale about the perils of overpaying for potential.

For Queens residents, Senga’s struggles are more than just a sports story. They’re a reminder of how quickly things can unravel when a team’s leadership—both on and off the field—loses its way. The Mets’ front office, led by President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, has been criticized for its handling of the team’s roster, particularly its decision to let key veterans like Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Díaz walk in free agency. Díaz, the team’s closer, was a fan favorite whose departure left a void that’s been impossible to fill. This season, the bullpen has blown eight saves already, and the team’s relief corps has an ERA over 5.00.

The Historical Context: How Bad Is This, Really?

To put the Mets’ struggles into perspective, it’s worth looking at some of MLB’s most infamous seasons. The 1899 Cleveland Spiders, widely regarded as the worst team in baseball history, finished 20-134. The 1884 Kansas City Cowboys, another historical punching bag, went 16-63. And then there’s the Colorado Rockies, who this season are on pace to set a new standard for futility. With a record of 9-50, they’re not just bad—they’re historically bad. The Mets aren’t at that level yet, but with a 19-loss start, they’re inching closer to the kind of season that leaves a permanent stain on a franchise’s legacy.

For Queens, a borough that’s seen its share of hard times—from the fiscal crisis of the 1970s to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy—sports have often been a unifying force. The Mets’ 1969 “Miracle Mets” season, when the team went from last place to World Series champions, is still a point of pride for older residents. The 1986 championship, with its iconic Bill Buckner moment, is a cultural touchstone. But this season? It’s shaping up to be something else entirely—a cautionary tale about what happens when a team loses its way, both on the field and in the community.

The Ripple Effect: What Happens When the Mets Lose

For most Queens residents, the Mets’ struggles aren’t just about wins and losses. They’re about livelihoods. Take Flushing’s Chinatown, where businesses rely on game-day foot traffic to stay afloat. Restaurants like Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao and Szechuan Mountain House typically see a surge in customers on game days, but this season, owners say the crowds are thinner. “People don’t want to reach out if the team’s losing,” said one restaurant manager, who asked not to be named. “It’s not just about the food. It’s about the experience. And right now, the experience is bad.”

Then there’s the real estate market. In neighborhoods like Wilhelmsburg (yes, it’s in Queens) and Long Island City, where new developments have sprung up in recent years, brokers say the Mets’ struggles are making it harder to sell properties. “Buyers question about the team,” said Maria Chen, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman. “They want to know if the stadium will bring in business, if the area will stay vibrant. Right now, the answer isn’t clear.”

And let’s not forget the psychological toll. For many Queens residents, the Mets are more than just a team—they’re a source of identity. When the team struggles, it’s not just a bad season. It’s a blow to the borough’s pride. “I grew up in Corona, and the Mets were everything,” said Carlos Rivera, a lifelong fan and local high school teacher. “Now, I don’t even want to talk about them. It’s embarrassing.”

What’s Next for the Mets—and Queens?

So where does the team travel from here? The short answer: nobody knows. The Mets’ front office has insisted that the season isn’t over, and that the team’s core—Soto, Lindor, and Pete Alonso—is too talented to keep losing. But talent alone doesn’t win games. Chemistry, leadership, and a little bit of luck all play a role, and right now, the Mets have none of those things.

For Queens residents, the question isn’t just about the team’s future. It’s about the borough’s future. Will the Mets’ struggles lead to a long-term decline in game-day revenue? Will businesses that rely on the team’s success start to suffer? And what happens if the team’s ownership, led by Steve Cohen, decides that the only way to fix things is to blow it all up and start over?

One thing is clear: the Mets’ problems aren’t just a sports story. They’re a Queens story. And for a borough that’s always prided itself on resilience, this season is a test. Can Queens weather another losing season? Or is this the beginning of something worse?

Given My Background in Sports Economics, Here’s What Queens Residents Should Watch For

If you’re a Queens resident feeling the ripple effects of the Mets’ struggles, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a small business owner, a real estate investor, or just a fan trying to build sense of it all, this season’s collapse is a reminder of how deeply sports are woven into the fabric of a community. Here are three types of local professionals you might want to connect with as the season—and the fallout—unfolds:

Sports Business Consultants

These aren’t your typical agents or scouts. We’re talking about experts who specialize in the economic impact of sports teams on local communities. They can help businesses—especially those in the hospitality and retail sectors—adjust their strategies to account for lower foot traffic. Look for consultants with experience in:

• Game-day revenue modeling (how to predict and offset losses from poor attendance).
• Partnerships with minor league teams or other local attractions to drive alternative revenue streams.
• Data-driven marketing strategies to attract non-baseball fans to your business.

What to ask: “How can I diversify my customer base so I’m not reliant on game-day traffic?”

Real Estate Analysts with Sports Market Expertise

If you’re a property owner or investor in neighborhoods like Flushing, Long Island City, or Willets Point, the Mets’ struggles could have long-term implications for your portfolio. A real estate analyst with experience in sports-adjacent markets can help you:

• Assess the risk of declining property values in areas heavily reliant on stadium traffic.
• Identify alternative uses for commercial spaces (e.g., converting retail into co-working spaces or event venues).
• Negotiate leases with landlords who may be more willing to offer concessions in a down market.

What to ask: “How can I future-proof my investments against the volatility of the sports market?”

Crisis PR and Reputation Management Specialists

For businesses that have built their brand around the Mets—suppose sports bars, memorabilia shops, or even local influencers—the team’s struggles can feel like a personal attack. A crisis PR specialist can help you:

• Reframe your messaging to focus on community rather than the team’s performance.
• Leverage social media to engage fans in new ways (e.g., watch parties for other sports, trivia nights, or charity events).
• Build partnerships with other local businesses to create a support network.

What to ask: “How can I turn this challenge into an opportunity to deepen my connection with customers?”

Given the uncertainty surrounding the Mets this season, now is the time to be proactive. Whether you’re a business owner, an investor, or just a concerned resident, the key is to think long-term. The Mets’ struggles might be temporary, but the lessons they offer about resilience, adaptability, and community are timeless.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated experts in the Queens area today.