Mets Host Annual Kids’ Holiday Party (With Video)

Amid the sadness of losing Jose Reyes to the Miami Marlins, the Mets organization spread some holiday cheer the afternoon of Dec. 13 at the team’s annual Kids’ Holiday Party in the Acela Club at Citi Field.

Students from local schools performed holiday tunes, enjoyed a free lunch and received a gift from the big guy himself, Santa Claus.

But hopefully the pressure of having kids sit on his lap didn’t affect Santa’s rehabbing knees, since old Saint Nick was played this year by Daniel Murphy, who said he is feeling very strong in anticipation for the season.

Murphy was joined by his elves, Jonathon Niese and Justin Turner, in distributing gifts. All three players commented on feeling good that they can brighten up the holidays for the young children.

Niese and Turner are both excited to head down to spring training in a few weeks.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson also attended the festivities and spoke about the team’s recent additions as well as its outlook for the remainder of the offseason.

The team will host the fifth annual “Warm Up” Holiday Coat Drive Dec. 14 at Citi Field from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All fans donating one or more coats will receive a voucher redeemable for of pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April.

Be sure to follow along with my complete coverage of the Kids’ Holiday Party over the next few days. I will have video and audio clips as well as pictures. There will be one post each for Turner, Niese, Murphy and Alderson.

Happy Holidays and Let’s Go Mets!