Former New York Mets ace Noah Syndergaard is pushing back hard against the persistent criticism of Donald Trump, particularly the attacks on his mental and physical fitness.

During a recent appearance on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle," Syndergaard shared his firsthand experience after spending a day with the former president. "I'm envious of the mental energy that this guy has, the sharpness he has, the comedic nature of everything he says," Syndergaard said. "He's just a joy to be around."

For the former All-Star pitcher, known for his electric fastball and commanding presence on the mound, the contrast between the public narrative and his personal encounter was striking. "It was just an amazing experience," he added.

Syndergaard then addressed the broader debate head-on. "I just really don't quite understand the negativity or the pessimism he gets with the media and some of the population of this nation," he said. "He's just such a patriotic guy and he cares so much about everybody and just the health of this nation and the health of this world."

It's a strong stance from a player who spent seven seasons in Queens, earning a reputation as "Thor" for his powerful build and dominant performances. While Syndergaard's comments have sparked conversation far beyond the baseball diamond, they also serve as a reminder that athletes often bring the same passion and conviction to their off-field views as they do to their game-day performances.