In a surprising turn of events that has baseball fans doing a double-take, former New York Mets flamethrower Noah Syndergaard has publicly declared his admiration for President Donald Trump following a visit to the White House. The All-Star pitcher and 2015 World Series hero, known for his 99-mph fastball and colorful "Thor" persona, appeared on Fox News with host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday to share his experience.
"It's a dream come true, I'm riding this bliss in this moment," Syndergaard told Ingraham, his enthusiasm palpable. "I really just don't quite understand the negativity or the pessimism he gets with the media and some of the population of this nation because he's just such a patriotic guy."
The right-hander, who was at the White House to support the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test, didn't hold back in his praise. "I'm envious of the mental energy that this guy has, the sharpness he has, the comedic nature of everything he says," Syndergaard continued. "He's just a joy to be around."
For fans who remember Syndergaard's dominant years in Queens—where he posted a 2.60 ERA in 2016 and earned his lone All-Star nod—this political pivot might seem out of left field. After all, his social media feeds have largely stayed away from politics, and a quick scroll through his old tweets even reveals a past dig at Trump. But perhaps this shouldn't come as a total shock. A study cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this year found that 53% of current MLB players across 24 states are registered Republicans.
Syndergaard's career, unfortunately, was derailed by arm troubles after that electric start. He finished with a 59-47 record across stints with the Mets, Angels, Phillies, Dodgers, and Guardians. But on this day, it wasn't his fastball that had people talking—it was his full-throated endorsement of a president who remains one of the most polarizing figures in American politics.
Whether this marks a new chapter for Syndergaard's public persona or just a moment of political candor, one thing is clear: the former Mets ace is throwing heat, both on and off the mound.