Diaz rushes the field. (Photos: Neil Miller)
Diaz getting hauled off by security.
‘WHOOOOO!’ ARE YOU? Mets mega-fan Rafael Diaz — in a Gary Carter No. 8 replica jersey — runs onto the field Friday to join the postgame celebration of Johan Santana’s no-hitter before getting hauled off by security (inset). (
)
A front-row seat at Citi Field: $315.
Getting arrested for storming the pitcher’s mound: a possible $1,000 fine and a year in jail.
Being a part of Mets history: priceless.
Rafael Diaz, 32, lived the dream of every fanatic Friday night when he bolted past security to join the joyous huddle of Amazin’s congratulating pitcher Johan Santana moments after he succeeded in putting in the books the team’s first-ever no-hitter.
For a few eerie seconds, it seemed legendary No. 8 — Mets catcher Gary Carter, who died in February after battling brain cancer — was back on the field.
That’s because Diaz, a married father of two from Massapequa, LI, was wearing a replica of the Kid’s 1986 jersey. In that moment, Diaz was as close to his beloved team as any fan ever hopes to be: using pitcher R.A. Dickey’s right shoulder as a launching pad to squeeze past first baseman Ike Davis and give Santana a congratulatory pat.
The dream was short-lived. Security quickly tackled the major-league interloper, hauled him off the field and had him arrested.
Diaz was charged with interfering with a sporting event. He faces up to a year in prison, a possible $1,000 fine and could be banned forever from the Flushing home of his favorite team.
Diaz, a pilot who works at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, has been devoted to the Mets his whole life, a relative told The Post.
“He’s obsessed with the Mets,” said Maggie Diaz, 38. “He goes to games all the time.”
Diaz’s one shining moment was hopefully worth it. While he cooled his cleats in a Queens cell awaiting arraignment yesterday, his son, Marco, was celebrating his first birthday.
Diaz, described by stunned family members as the “goody-goody” of the clan, must have been overcome with emotion to storm the field.
“He’s Mr. Perfect,” Maggie said.
A neighbor said Diaz’s passion for America’s pastime even extends to the back yard.
“I’ve played Wiffle ball with him a few times in the yard. He plays pretty seriously,” said the neighbor.
For Santana, the immediate aftermath of his achievement, including Diaz’s Amazin’ moment, was a blur.
“I didn’t know [about Diaz] until I watched the highlights today,” the pitcher said.
Additional reporting by Kate Kowsh and Daniel Prendergast