New York Mets' latest signing goes viral as fans insist his 'crazy' name can't be real

The New York Mets have sparked a frenzy on social media after unveiling their latest signing, with his 'crazy' name leaving fans in astonishment.

The MLB team announced a number of roster moves on Monday, including Travis Jankowski's selection to the Major League roster, Tyler Zuber and Luisangel Acuna being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse and Jose Siri's transfer to the 60-day injured list.

However, the most eye-catching item on the list was their new summer signing: Dicky Lovelady.

Lovelady, who recently spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays, has been signed to a one-year contract by the Mets and will be active in time for their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

Yet baseball fans are convinced his remarkable name isn't a real one. 

'Dicky Lovelady is a crazy name,' one user posted on X.

'No way he goes by Dicky with that last name. Admin got to be trolling,' said another.

A third wrote: 'dicky lovelady, what a name'.

A fourth claimed: 'Dicky Lovelady is officially the greatest name in New York Mets history'.

While another suggested: 'Dicky lovelady has to be a fake person.'

Lovelady is indeed a real person, though he has typically gone by his full name, Richard, over the course of his seven-year MLB career.

Though according to Mets beat writer Laura Albanese, the 29-year-old pitcher now wants to go by the nickname Dicky instead.

After being drafted by the Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Lovelady spent three years in Kansas City before heading to the Atlanta Braves.

In April 2023 he was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics, where he spent a season before similarly brief stints with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays.

Following his spell with the Blue Jays, Lovelady signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins earlier this year, only to opt out of that deal within two months.