It has been an agonizing few years for Mets fans. This summer, however, has brought a glimpse of the future in Matt Harvey, midseason joy in a Citi Field All-Star Game, and at the MLB Fan Fest, a nostalgic nod to the past.
Beginning Friday at the Javits Center, the MLB Fan Fest returns as a warm-up to the 84th All-Star Game. It will give many fans a chance to interact and engage with baseball’s history, memorabilia, and most importantly, its players. Featuring Mets favorites such as Edgardo Alfonzo and Mookie Wilson, ballplayers past and present will flock to Manhattan to sign autographs, answer questions and provide fielding and hitting clinics at the convention center’s numerous batting cages and demo fields.
The weekend, which extends into Tuesday, has a theme for each day, starting Friday with Kids Day, followed by Heritage, Family, Military Appreciation, and Tribute day. Special exhibits include a histories of the Negro Leagues and World Baseball Classic, and an extensive wall of Mets memories.
So what’s changed since the Fan Fest in 2008 when New York hosted it last?
“Times change. We have some more technology on the show floor,” said MLB director of special events Jackie Secaira-Cotta. “This show is definitely focused more on the Mets’ team and history.”
One of those Mets, Wilson, spent the entire day Thursday giving instruction to kids as the media received a tour of the show.
“I’m in my element, working with kids, introducing them to the game,” Wilson said. “The beauty of it is [I meet] kids who don’t play the game, but get interested in the game.”
On Saturday, fans can receive a Mookie bobblehead and attend Q&A sessions with Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, and Vera Clemente, Roberto’s wife. For fans interested in tangible objects, photo opportunities are available with the World Series trophy and Cooperstown artifacts such as a Babe Ruth jersey or Lou Gehrig bat.
“Not everyone can get tickets to an All-Star Game and we understand that,” said Secaira-Cotta. “This is what we do to afford all fans the opportunity to get that All-Star game experience.”
Other Mets scheduled to attend are Dwight Gooden, John Franco and Ed Charles (Friday), Cliff Floyd (Sunday), Darryl Strawberry and David Wright (Monday). More Hall of Famers will continue to filter in over the weekend such as Juan Marichal and Andre Dawson for free autographs.
Fans can sit in on coaching lessons, take their hacks in the cage and also participate in an auction for authentic collectibles. There is a little bit of everything.
“We try to update our event every year,” tour guide Reg Bronskill said. “And to add the family field will really capture the family coming to a ball game, and the fact that you don’t necessarily sit in your seat and you’re able to move around and exchange stories with your parents and grandparents and it makes it a generational experience for everyone.”
Alfonzo said he is just excited to have this experience in the city where his baseball career started.
“It feels great to be a part of this event,” Alfonzo said. Especially with it being played in New York, where I played many years and to be around with kids is just amazing.”