I think it was during God Bless America that things started to really make sense and reality set in. I had yet to convince myself that I was attending a World Series game in 2015 at Citi Field, one in which the Mets were competing in. Merely typing that into my computer seemed odd, like there it is a flawed, incorrect statement. But as I stood there and watched as the NYPD captain belted an anthem of American pride while 44,000 strong sang along, I finally had my moment of clarity.
I watched the game as I do all games; anxious as ever. I’m convinced that during the past month, I have probably shaved years off my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.
I leaned over to my friend and said, “The Mets just need a pick-me-up homer, one that will pump up Thor and will rally the entire offense.” It didn’t take all that long before the captain delivered in his first at-bat of the night with a two-run shot. I only had to wait a bit longer before Curtis Granderson followed suit, with a line-drive homer that just cleared the right-field wall. Another rally later in the game that featured hits from Travis d’Arnaud, Juan Lagares, and the missed-but-not-forgotten journeyman Juan Uribe was the icing on the cake.
The crowd roared all night as the Mets added to their lead and Noah Syndergaard settled down and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the 6th. Addison Reed and Tyler Clippard were lock down and Jeurys Familia was back as the dominant closer we fans have come to know and love.
I took a picture on my phone during the National Anthem, sung beautifully by none other than Billy Joel. I consider this the first time I’ve heard him sing live, as sad as that might be. The picture I took stood out to me, with our nations colors draped over the field, fireworks being shot into the dark, windy night, and Billy Joel starting off a rocking night in the Big Apple like he has done so many times before. Here is the picture:
I had tried to upload it to Instagram while failing because my cell service was being difficult. I have to give a quick shoutout to our partner on this one. Verizon provided me and the rest of the 44,000 fans in attendance with free access to the Citi Field WiFi and I was able to share my picture, a picture that represented so much I have grown to love with the world.
So here I am: a fan, a writer and a believer. I can honestly say that there is a feeling of sheer bliss when winning a game like this and doing it in the national spotlight and with an electric crowd cheering loudly around me. I wouldn’t trade my experience last night for the world, and I can attest that the air in Citi Field is clear and inviting. Enjoy this time because nothing is ever guaranteed and moments like this are like finding life’s hidden treasure.
