Mets fans gathered at Citi Field Monday for a special event to mark the unofficial start of spring training. NY1's Gene Apodaca filed the following report.
Winter weather couldn't keep Mets fans from showing off their pride in the boys of summer. The line at Citi Field stretched well into the parking lot.
Joe Falzarano and his son Michael were among the first to find their spots.
"We're from Staten Island, so we left nice and early to get here and got here at 10:15, and all of a sudden you can see what happened," he said.
What happened was a home run for fans, who got to tour the clubhouse and even snag autographs from Mets legend Ed Kranepool.
Outside, kids got to practice their batting skills. Mr. and Mrs. Met were also there to bring on the dance moves and the smiles.
What might have been the real get was a voucher for two free tickets.
"It was up to her. We read about it in the paper yesterday. I went online, I looked it up, and it was up to her," said one Mets fan.
This may be the first year that the Mets have done this, but it's likely not the last. More than 6,500 people RSVP'd, and many of them were super optimistic.
The fan frenzy comes after the Amazins went to the World Series last year for the first time since 2000. They came three wins short of the title, but many here see it as a major sign of progress and believe 2016 could be the year they go all the way for the first time since 1986.
"It's the passion being a Mets fan. It's something I've done my entire life, 17 years of this, and they're finally good after 10 years of misery. Enjoy it while it lasts, right?" said one fan.
That loyalty is why the Mets organization opened the field to the fans, hoping their enthusiasm goes with the team to Florida to begin spring training.
The truck is on the way, and pitchers and catchers will follow later this week.