A Night to Remember: The Mets’ Unforgettable Journey

ā€œWhat a story, right?ā€ Those words, first spoken by the Metsā€™ manager, Carlos Mendoza, were printed on the special edition Mets beer koozie I purchased during the electrifying game against the Dodgers last Friday. They encapsulated not just the team’s remarkable postseason journey but resonated particularly with the atmosphere that night.

The Temptations graced the field, delivering a powerful rendition of the national anthem before serenading shortstop Francisco Lindor and the roaring crowd with their classic hit ā€œMy Girl.ā€ The song played again as Lindor approached the plate for his at-bat, a sweet nod to his wife, Katia, and their two beautiful daughters. The night was filled with an incredible energy, bursting with hope and endless possibilities.

Down 3-1 in the National League Championship Series, the Mets fought valiantly and clinched a victory, rekindling dreams of a Subway Series and keeping their championship aspirations alive as the best-of-seven series shifted back to Los Angeles. ā€œAnd what do we say to the god of death? ā€˜Not today,ā€™ā€ proclaimed a fan, holding up a sign as I made my way to the 7 train after the game. I chuckled, buoyed by the whimsical notion that the Grimace magic would prevail once more.

After a rocky start to the season, the Mets surged back to secure a playoff spot, momentarily igniting dreams of gloryā€”a championship that had eluded them for nearly four decades. However, the optimism was short-lived. Just two days later, the harsh reality set in as the Mets succumbed to the Dodgers in Game 6 on Sunday, bringing their fairy tale run to a heartbreaking close.

My son, who has autism, faces challenges that will likely prevent him from living independently. At 14 years old, I have been introducing him to the enchanting world of baseball, hoping to instill a passion that will help him bond with others, especially his cousins, who are ardent sports fans. This shared interest could provide him with a lasting connection, a cherished hobby to hold onto even when I am no longer here.

Two years ago, I penned a heartfelt piece about what the Mets symbolize for my family. In a surprising turn, the team reached out, offering my son an incredible opportunity to meet some of the players. We arranged this unforgettable experience in June 2023 to celebrate his 13th birthday, bringing along his cousins to create lasting memories together.

On the day he met the Mets, my son was just as he is every dayā€”beautifully unique. He struggles with verbal communication and exhibits behaviors that often highlight his neurodiversity, such as touching objects, making unusual sounds, avoiding eye contact, and displaying a flat affect. I often find myself acting as a bridge between him and the world, feeling anxious about how he would be received in a bustling environment.

Please donā€™t hit me, I thought to myself nervously. Please donā€™t hit anyone. My son can sometimes express his stress in aggressive ways, often directed toward meā€”his mom, the safest person in his world. Even though he consistently apologizes, the pain of being struck is one of the most challenging aspects of parenting a child with autism, both physically and emotionally.

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