Since Fantasy Camp ended in January, nearly every one of us began looking forward to the reunion weekend during the regular season. None of us knew when that would be, given the fact that the team had to decide when we could get the use of the field. The Mets are hosting this year's All-Star Game, and that fact threw a monkey wrench into the planners for sure.
We found out in March that the reunion would take place on the weekend of May 10-13. The visiting team would be the Pirates of Pittsburgh. The schedule called for the campers to be on the field prior to the game on Friday night, attend that game in seats which would be in a group for players and their guest(s), then we would play ON THE FIELD on Monday the 13th.
The weeks passed slowly, especially here in Minneapolis, where the winter seemingly went on for....ever! We had measurable snow as late as May 3rd, so the 10th of the month couldn't come soon enough. But the morning of the 10th eventually DID arrive. I hopped a plane at 5:45 a.m. to Atlanta and arrived in Flushing, NY at about 2 p.m.
After checking into a hotel near Citi Field, I made my way to the check-in area at the stadium and greeted some of the guys whom I recognized from my Florida week in January. We eventually got the group rounded up around 6:30 and we made our way onto the outfield warning track after getting ourselves in alphabetical order by last name. I was the 10th person onto the field as we went out. By the time we were all out on the field I was just to the left of the 408' sign on the outfield wall. It was such a thrill to look up and see the new Home Run apple raised up over the fence. And way up above that was the large video board. A few minutes later it was time to turn toward home plate as p.a. announcer Alex Anthony was going to be introducing us by name as we were going to be shown on the video board. I turned and readied myself as I heard my name being spoken. As it was I stepped forward and doffed my cap as I had seen countless players do prior to the All-Star Game, the first game of the World Series or Opening Day. They don't show the last two of those on television anymore, which is too bad. I guess the networks feel that that time is better spent on ads for beer or cialis. I resisted the temptation to say "Hi, Mom!" as I already say that every day, whether I'm in uniform or not.
We got to stay out on the field for the national anthem, which was also a thrill. After the anthem we began to make our way off the field. NOW I was the 10th to last person to leave the field, which was very fortunate. As we neared the bullpen door which we were using as out exit point, I looked over to the Mets relief pitchers who were making their way to the bullpen. I yelled, "L.A.!" toward LaTroy Hawkins, who is a current relief pitcher for the Mets, but whom I knew from both of our times with the Twins. He jogged over and we gave a quick hug to each other. He asked if I was living in New York now, but I quickly told him that I was still in Minnesota. I told him that I left after the 2001 season and he said so did he. I told him that I left the team because if he was gone, so was I. We shook hands again and I walked off the field. I immediately got major street cred as my fellow campers were stunned that I knew one of our current players. I hadn't seen LaTroy in over a decade, but he still remembered me, so I was pleasantly surprised by that.
I made my way up to my seats and watched the Mets take on the Pirates. I had a chance to actually catch a foul ball off the bat of first baseman Ike Davis. I saw it all the way ,but still it went off of my left hand. Foul balls are not my forte when I'm not wearing a glove on my left hand and it certainly showed on that night.
The Mets didn't fare well that evening against the Buccos and with the temperature falling in sync with the chances of pulling the game out many of us in the group started the exodus out of the New Shea before the final out was recorded.
So my return to the New York area is underway. Tomorrow will be spent sightseeing in the city somewhere and then back to the ballpark for the Sunday matchup against the Pirates. Monday is THE DAY as I take to the field with my fellow campers. Sleeping on Sunday night may not be the easiest thing I've ever done. I'm gonna be like a 10-year old on Christmas Eve.
Maybe a 7-year old.
