A self-proclaimed voodoo practitioner showed up outside Citi Field on Tuesday, attempting an unusual ritual to break what some fans have dubbed the “Curse of the Mambino,” blamed for the Mets’ ongoing losing streak.
The man, Michael Washington — also known as Tata Tilk — arrived dressed in a black cloak and set up a cauldron near the stadium. He claimed he was counteracting what he described as dark forces affecting the team. According to Washington, the alleged curse originated from “negative entities” and required similar energy to undo.
He pointed specifically to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had visited Citi Field on April 9 and embraced the team’s mascots, Mr. and Mrs. Met, during a public appearance. Some fans have since jokingly — or seriously — linked that moment to the team’s sudden downturn. Washington said he intended to reverse the supposed spell and send it back to those responsible, naming the mayor as one of the figures behind it.
Despite the ritual, the Mets’ struggles continued. That same night, they lost 5–3 to the Minnesota Twins after giving up another lead, extending their losing streak to 12 games.
The team’s slide began shortly after the mayor’s visit, with the Mets dropping 11 straight games and falling to the bottom of the National League East. Among fans, theories about a “curse” circulated, including the idea that touching Mr. Met without the symbolic approval of Mrs. Met brought bad luck.
One fan, Nelson Berrios, had previously suggested the interaction brought “bad juju,” noting that the mascots’ dynamic should not be disrupted.
Motivated by the headlines and fan speculation, Washington said he felt compelled to act. He conducted his ritual using various items he described as talismans, including a goat skull, bones, stones he claimed were struck by lightning, and meteorites. He also gathered dirt from the stadium grounds, saying it would help channel the team’s energy and address the source of the conflict.
During the ritual, he recited a series of chants, calling for the return of what he believed had been taken from the team and invoking forces to restore their success. After completing the ceremony, he expressed confidence that the Mets would recover, predicting not only a playoff appearance but also that they would outperform the Yankees.
Washington went further, stating that his efforts would influence everyone connected to the team and ultimately help carry them to the World Series.
Onlookers at the scene reacted with a mix of confusion and cautious hope. Some admitted they were skeptical of the ritual but were willing to accept any possible solution if it meant turning the team’s season around.
One spectator, 28-year-old Noah Lefkowitz, summed up the mood, saying that while he had always been warned to avoid voodoo, he still hoped to see the Mets win a championship in his lifetime — and was open to unconventional help if that’s what it took.
