As the New York Mets continue their playoff push, the team made a very special signing Tuesday, Aug. 20. Eight-year-old Mason Maier got to live out his dream when he signed an honorary contract to be a “Met for a Day.”
Originally diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2019, Mason has been deemed in remission for just over a year now. He joined the Mets earlier this year during spring training, where he met several players and worked out, hit, and played catch with the team. Now, thanks to the Mets and Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Mason was able to officially join the team.
Mason showed up to Citi Field decked out in a Mets uniform and a Cohen Children’s Medical Center hat. He had his own press conference alongside his parents, Laura and Jeff, and Nurse Practitioner Rosemarie Corless.
Joined by Mets Senior Director of DEI and Community Relations Donovan Mitchell Sr., Mason then signed the contract, officially making him a Met.
“A lot of times we talk about the joy we bring to the kids that come to us but Mason brought a lot of joy to us,” Richards said. “As a token of our appreciation and for what you’ve gone through, we would like to present you with a one-day contract.”
“I’m excited to be a Met,” Mason said after officially signing his contract. He then made his way through the Mets clubhouse and onto Citi Field, where he got to play catch.
Mason’s parents were vocal in expressing their gratitude towards the Mets and Cohen Children’s Medical Center for putting this together. They also praised Cohen’s for the excellent treatment they provided Mason with as he battled cancer for three years.
“It was because of his amazing clinical team, his doctors, his nurses, that helped Mason get through it and be an amazing, thriving eight-year-old today,” Laura said. “The whole staff at Cohen Children’s Medical Center has been nothing but incredible these last few years and it’s really truly enjoyable to see Mason doing something that he absolutely loves with his favorite team of all, the New York Mets.”
In June 2019, Mason began suffering from unexplained fevers for extended periods of time. He became lethargic, ate very little and bruised easily. This led to his parents taking him to Cohen Children’s Medical Center that August, where he was diagnosed with ALL. Mason went through three years of chemotherapy, enduring several hospital stays throughout the process due to infections or low white blood cell counts. It was during his treatment that he developed a passion for baseball.
“He really went through the treatment like a trooper,” Corless said. “We’re so proud of you, Mason for all that you went through, you did it so bravely.”
Having been in remission for a year now, Mason is now a happy boy who enjoys school, being with his friends and rooting for the Mets.
