Fans attending a recent New York Mets game at Citi Field were startled by an unexpected visitor: a raccoon reaching through the stadium floor for food. Video captured by a spectator shows the animal's paw extending from beneath the stands to grab peanut shells.
Spectators expressed shock and disgust at the sight. At one point, someone offered a hot dog to the raccoon, which the animal accepted. The raccoon was observed extending its paw through a small opening in the stadium floor.
This is not the first instance of raccoons being spotted at Citi Field. The ballpark's proximity to a former scrap yard has been cited as a reason for occasional wildlife appearances. Last year, a raccoon was seen running up the stadium steps during a rain delay, prompting some fans to move.
The presence of wildlife has drawn commentary in light of the Mets' performance this season. The team is currently last in the NL East, despite having one of the league's highest payrolls. However, the team has recently seen some success, winning five of their last six games, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
