A MMO Fan Shot by Cesar Montenegro

My story begins in 1985 (I was 5-years old), when my dad taught me to play baseball and told me that he had been a long time fan Yankee fan.

In my country we could only watch some games on TV, so on his birthday, June 27th 1985, the newspaper announced the sports schedule, New York vs. Chicago, but to his surprise and dismay it was the Mets playing the Cubs and not the Yankees.

That was the day I fell in love with the Mets, even though he tried in every way to change my mind. And despite all of my dad’s best efforts, I became a huge Mets fan and I saw them win the 1986 World Series as a 6-year old boy.

That year, I started playing in the Guatemalan junior league. I was a first baseman which wasn’t surprising at all because I always dreamed of being Keith Hernandez and even wore his #17 on my back. Unfortunately, I injured my arm and my baseball career was over before it even got started.

Years passed and like many of you, I’ve cheered and suffered like only a Mets fan can truly understand. The highs were very high and the lows were very low.

Then in 2016, after 30 years of watching the games on TV – and in a curious fact, never in my life meeting another Mets fan – I finally had the privilege and excitement of going to Citi Field to watch the team I’ve loved from afar all my life.

When I first stepped inside the ballpark, I have to admit that I shed a tear or two as I became overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness and surrealism of the moment.

My wife and 6-year old daughter came with me, and together we watched them lose 7-3 to the Atlanta Braves with Noah Syndergaard on the mound that day.

And even though we lost the game, it was still one of the best days of my life. Not only did I fulfill a lifelong dream by being there, but I also had my daughter with me and and it was so gratifying introducing her to the game of baseball and of course the team I loved.

Today, my daughter is a proud die-hard fan of the Amazins like myself, and we have watched the last three seasons (2017-19) of Mets baseball together. I have a one-year old boy now, and the both of us can’t wait to teach him about the Mets as he grows older.

Now with the Mets battling for fighting for a wild card and a chance to make the playoffs, I invite all of you to put on your rally caps and cheer for Brodie, Mickey, Jacob deGrom, Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso – and yes –  even for Jeurys Familia and Edwin Diaz. Cheer faithfully for all of the players and the whole team.

And think of us, every time you have the privilege of watching from the Coca-Cola Corner or the Shea Bridge or the field level or even the nose-bleeds. Remember us fans who are far away.

And don’t despair, because in our souls we know the Amazins will rise again and I hope to see it in my lifetime and enjoy it with my children. We, a Guatemalan family, with Orange and Blue hearts! LGM and Believe!

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This Fan Shot was contributed by Cesar Montenegro. Have something you want to say about the Mets? Share your opinions with over 20,000 Met fans who read this site daily.

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