such as the Times Square billboard of a Mets hat–clad Grimace towering over Midtown, and the Grimace-wrapped subway cars during the NLDS against the Phillies. The team also created a purple ...

"Grimace is our God," jokes Amanda. This giant aubergine-coloured mascot, whose species is unknown, has seemingly transformed the fortunes of the New York Mets and their fans are lapping it up.

Yes, a purple, 1970s fast-food mascot has somehow become the symbol of the Mets’ remarkable playoff surge. And now he's come to the heart of Yankees territory to plant an orange and blue flag.