Mets Spider-Man mask celebration went from clubhouse joke to spark: Whats the worst that can happen?

CINCINNATI — Juan Soto received parting gifts from a young fan after signing an autograph for him two weeks ago in Seattle.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

One item was a Michael Jordan rookie card.If that wasn’t enough, Soto also received a light blue Spider-Man mask that he didn’t give much of a second thought.Soto kept the mask with him on the road trip.

By the time the Mets reached San Diego, players began goofing, wearing it in the clubhouse, and upon rookie Carson Benge’s suggestion last week a new Mets celebration was unveiled.Since Friday, a player hitting a home run has worn the mask for the dugout celebration.The Mets homered five times in winning two of three games against the Braves and were looking toward many more celebrations as they opened a series Monday at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.“It hurts a little bit because it’s a little tight on the sides,” Soto said before the Mets faced the Reds.

“But it worked.”Bo Bichette (twice), Soto, A.J.Ewing and Marcus Semien were the four Mets players who had worn the mask as Monday’s play began.

The mask replaced the ritual of a Met wearing a construction hard hat and orange vest following a home run.“Just switch something up,” Benge said.“What’s the worst that can happen?”Certainly, it can’t hurt.

The remaining Mets from the team’s 2024 postseason surge can attest to the power of Grimace — the purple McDonald’s character who became a symbol of the team’s turnaround.The Mets began play 32-39, last in the NL East and in need of any kind of boost.“We’re just trying to have fun,” Semien said.“These games get very serious, and you can be very hard on yourself, and if you can keep it light and have fun, laugh a little, it makes it better.”The Spider-Man mask has received manager Carlos Mendoza’s endorsement — as long as it’s on display often...