Twenty kids got a big surprise when they showed up for a behind-the-scenes tour of Citi Field. Their tour guides were none other than Mets players David Wright, Daniel Murphy, John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, Pedro Feliciano, Omir Santos and Ryota Igarashi.
The special visit was held as part of Citi Field Kids, a program that was started in 2009 and is a partnership between Citi, the Mets, the Jackie Robinson Foundation and United Neighborhood Houses.
Last season approximately 1,200 students from the five boroughs participated in Citi Field Kids, which gave them a chance to attend a ballgame, learn about Jackie Robinson and hear from former and current Mets players.
“When we began a relationship with the Mets we wanted to do something very special for the kids around New York [in the] five boroughs,” said Citi Director of Communications Steve Silverman.
On Wednesday, January 13, students were selected to go to Citi Field either because they recently completed a GED course or because they’re involved in service projects in the community.
Jessica Zeigler, the Director of Development at United Neighborhood Houses, said that the students “had no idea what was coming” during their trip to the stadium.
“I was speechless. They told us we were going to see Mets players, but I didn’t know who,” said Shiekh Bablu, a 16-year-old who attends Hillcrest High School. “When I saw David Wright I was shocked because I really look up to him.”
After Wright came out into the locker room to surprise the kids, he was joined by some of his teammates. The seven players answered some of the students’ questions before taking them on a tour of the facilities.
Wright said that he thinks participating in events with students is a responsibility that all athletes have, particularly those in New York, since he said professionally athletes have a huge impact on kids. He said that “it’s important to steer them in the right direction and let them know that it’s good not only to be a leader in the community but to give back to the community and be proud of that.”
“I think these kids are taking that first step,” Wright said. “It’s good to see my teammates taking time out of their schedules during the offseason to come and show them around and give them a kind of example to follow.”
Teammate Santos said that every time there is an event involving kids he’ll be there no matter what.
“If God gave me the opportunity to be in the big leagues with the Mets and help other people, I’m going to be present every time,” Santos said, adding that his message for the students is to go to school and work towards their goals.
During the tour, students got to see some of the training facilities and dugout. They also were able to spend time hanging out with the players in a room where they not only had lunch but were able to play video games.
“I can never see enough of this,” 13-year-old Long Island City resident Desean Franklin said while looking at the Mets’ gym.
Silverman said that Citi Field Kids has been a “tremendous success” and that it’s very rewarding to be able to provide this opportunity to students.
“I think they’re amazed and thrilled,” he said. “It’s a tremendous experience for them, and I think they will remember it always.”
Ziegler said that she thinks the program definitely helps inspire the participants to go after their dreams, particularly when they meet someone like Wright who has done just that.
As the program continues during the upcoming baseball season, Zeigler said she hopes to once again bring more than 1,000 students to Citi Field to share the message of Jackie Robinson’s legacy while teaching and inspiring them to do their best.
