Meet the 7-foot-2 fan impressing former Mets players
NEW YORK — The Mets lately had their fantasy camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Mets fan Alan Herbert stole the present. Herbert is coping with Stage 4 melanoma, however one wouldn’t have been in a position to inform from his efficiency.
Herbert, 51, was partaking throughout camp and thrilled to construct friendships with former Mets reminiscent of Doug Flynn, Turk Wendell and Ron Swoboda. It’s not onerous to acknowledge Herbert; He’s 7-foot-2 however would not show the all-around expertise like David Wright or the facility of Darryl Strawberry. In truth, Herbert would be the first to inform you that his baseball expertise want work.
Herbert was glad that he was put in proper subject as a result of there wasn’t a lot motion whereas enjoying the place. He was the designated hitter infrequently. Herbert has been going to Mets fantasy camp since 2017 and he’s proud to say that he has collected a mixed 35 hits throughout these six years. That stat makes him blissful, as a result of “baseball is a tricky game. It’s not an easy game to play.”
“I found fantasy camp to be a receptive place,” Herbert stated through phone. “People are so encouraging and congratulatory when things go well. It’s really hard when you get there not to feel like you are walking on clouds. The atmosphere is so positive and so much fun. You are developing friendships and learning a new game.”
When he first noticed Herbert, Flynn thought the London, England, native was simply visiting one among his pals on the camp.
“The first time I saw him, I didn’t know he was going to be there to play at the camp,” stated Flynn, a liaison on the camp. “I thought he was a friend of somebody who just wandered in. He has become a favorite of everybody at camp, from campers and pros alike. He is such a good man and he is a humble person. He is not afraid to make fun of himself. He let us have fun with him. Anything you ask him to do, it was, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’”
While rising up in England, Herbert’s past love was soccer. Baseball didn’t come into his life till 2007 when he visited the Mets Clubhouse Store in Manhattan and purchased a Pedro Martinez jersey. So he began watching the Mets sparingly. Then on June 1, 2012, Herbert grew to become a die-hard Mets fan after left-hander Johan Santana pitched the staff’s first no-hitter in opposition to the Cardinals. He now watches the Mets on Sky Box.
“[After Santana pitched the no-hitter], I said, ‘We are on to something here,’” Herbert stated.
“[Owner] Steve Cohen feels like a person who wants the Mets to succeed. He is prepared to put a lot out there to make it happen,” Herbert stated. “The feel-good atmosphere around the Mets is great right now.”
Herbert plans to be round to observe the Mets win their first World Series title since 1986 and to proceed attending the membership’s fantasy camp. How is he feeling as of late? Great, Herbert stated.
“I’ve had some good medical results this last week and it looks very favorable as we go forward. If all the T’s are crossed, we should be able to give up the treatment in April,” Herbert stated.
