Haliey Welch, also known as the Hawk-Tuah girl, threw out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Thursday.

Video about SNY:

Welch gained immense popularity after a viral video in 2024. Since then, she has appeared on various podcasts, attended high-profile events, and more. However, some fans and media members were not happy with the Mets’ decision to have Welch throw out the first pitch.

“Hey dad, who’s throwing out the first pitch? Is that one of the Mets’ daughters from 1986? No, son, it’s Hawk Tuah. Give me a few years and I’ll explain it to you… Come on, Mets. Pathetic,” wrote WFAN’s Brandon Tierney on X, formerly Twitter.

“‘Viral sensation,’ as the stadium announcer called her, Hailey Welch (aka Hawk Tuah Girl) threw out the first pitch today at Citi Field. Don’t ask me why,” wrote Manny Gomez of NJ Advance Media.

“It’s over. See you in 2025,” added one fan.

“What a terrible, terrible decision to legitimize her and give her a platform,” wrote another fan.

“How was she announced? Please welcome Haliey Welch, aka the Hawk Tuah girl?” a third fan chimed in.

“I’ve never prayed so much for the downfall of a franchise, man, and I don’t even hate the Mets,” wrote a fourth fan.

Who is Haliey Welch, also known as Hawk Tuah Girl?

So who is Haliey Welch?

Welch became famous almost overnight. She was interviewed in a YouTube video by Man on the Street and was asked some rather unsuitable questions for work. Welch’s unsuitable answer to one of the questions went extremely viral and propelled her to internet fame.

Since then, she’s taken to social media to capitalize on the viral moment. Welch has also been seen at a number of high-profile events, as mentioned above. She’s performed on stage with musicians, attended a SummerSlam event, been interviewed on podcasts, and more.

She is originally from Tennessee and still lives there. It’s not clear what Welch’s specific plans are next, but her life has changed in just a few months.

Mets season 2024

The Mets are 62-58 in 2024. New York is eight games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. However, they are only two games behind the Atlanta Braves for the third and final NL Wild Card spot. New York is definitely still in the race for the playoffs.

It’s been a season of ups and downs for the Mets, with stars like Kodai Senga battling injury concerns. Still, after missing the playoffs, New York still has a real chance to return to the postseason in the 2023 season. The roster has some question marks, but the Mets can still make a run in the home stretch.

Will the Mets’ decision regarding Hailey Welch have a negative impact on the team?

However, the Mets’ decision to have Haliey Welch throw out the first pitch has sparked backlash. Fans are not happy, with some even admitting they hope the ballclub now misses the postseason. One has to imagine some particularly disgruntled fans won’t be going to games in 2024.

Of course, fans play a big role in how teams perform at the end of the season. After all, a playoff-like atmosphere can give the home team a decisive advantage.

While it may seem like a dramatic ending, there is a chance that Welch’s first pitch could negatively impact the Mets’ future performance.