Massapequa to Mets: Mason Maier lives out dream of being a big leaguer for a day
Pete Alonso poses with Mason Maier of Massapequa at Mets spring training on March 11, 2024. Credit: Newsday/Anthony Rieber
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Ever dream of being a Met for a day? For one 7-year-old from Massapequa, that dream came true on Monday.
Mason Maier was a guest of the Mets at Clover Park before their spring training game against the Marlins.
Maier, who has been in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia for more than a year, got to stretch with the Mets, take fielding practice and step into the cage for batting practice wielding a brand-new bat given to him by his favorite player, Pete Alonso.
Even though Alonso pointed out that the bat was 34 inches long and weighed 32 ounces, Maier gratefully took the club and took his best cuts under a bright blue Florida sky.
“I can hit it better than that,” Maier said after (finally) admitting Alonso’s bat might have been a little heavy.
Still, Mets players and coaches cheered whenever Maier connected, as they had moments earlier when he fielded balls on the mound and threw perfect strikes to first or second base.
“All my friends are going to be jealous,” Maier said.
Maier’s medical journey began in 2019 when his mother, Laura, brought him to the emergency department of Cohen Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park because of persistent fevers and other symptoms. (Cohen refers to Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen.)
Mason was diagnosed and underwent more than three years of chemotherapy treatments.
You wouldn’t know it by watching him on Monday energetically play catch with Mets major league strategy coach Danny Barnes — a session that included many diving and rolling grabs by Mason.
“He looks amazing,” said Laura Maier. “Typical 7-year-old. Can run laps around all of us. Passionate about sports. He loves school, loves his friends. Now he gets to really enjoy life.”
The Maiers said they were told about Mason’s “Mets for a day” experience about two weeks ago.
From left: Ryan, Laura, Mason and Jeff Maier of Massapequa at Mets spring training on March 11, 2024. Credit: Newsday/Anthony Rieber
“It’s great that an organization like the Mets” has this program, Mason’s father, Jeff, said. “To send him down here after three and a half years of treatment, to be able to experience something like this and to see some of his heroes and stars just give him the time . . . batting practice, a talk, it just means the world to him.”
Mason’s conversation with Alonso outside the Mets dugout was brief and to the point, as Mason was all business during his time with the players. Alonso asked Mason which bat he wanted to use for batting practice and Mason said Pete’s.
“OK,” Alonso said. “I’ll get you a brand-new one.”
“Thanks, Pete,” Mason said.
Said Laura: “I think that’s something that he’s going to take with him for a long time. Pete Alonso is definitely one of his idols and he looks up to him. It’s something he’s going to treasure for a long time.”
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.