KEW GARDENS — The Mets will take on the Kansas City Royals in the World Series on Tuesday, but the cheers started early with a hometown rally on Queens Boulevard on Monday.
Borough President Melinda Katz sponsored the rally at Queens Borough Hall to get fans excited for the first game of the series, which will be held in Kansas City.
There was a DJ, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Met and rallying cries from former Mets John Franco and Edgardo Alfonzo — who both predicted the Queens team will go all the way.
'Will From Queens' Brings His Students to Rally
The now famous "Will from Queens," who tearfully called in to a sports radio show to talk about the Mets, brought his students from Russell Sage Junior High School in Forest Hills to the rally. They're selling special T-shirts in honor of the Mets and their teacher to help raise money for their math club.
Young Quinn Fitzpatrick Roots for the Mets
Quinn Fitzpatrick is only 3 months old, but she's been a Mets fan since birth, her parents Jaime and Bill said. The Astoria family wanted to bring their daughter to experience the joy of the World Series. "It hasn't happened in a long time, and when it does happen you gotta come out," her dad said. "And I'm glad it's in Queens, not Manhattan."
'Mad Mel' Celebrates the Mets
"Mad Mel" from Forest Hills wore his 1986 Mets sweatshirt and said he was also sporting a special "good luck" beard going into the World Series. "I'm not shaving until they lay down on the Canyon of Heroes," he said.
Future Met Enjoys Pep Rally
Taso Livanis, 4, from Auburndale, has been a Mets fan all his life. And his dad, Achilles, said he'll be playing shortstop for the team in 19 years. "You'll see!" he said.
The Livanis family are lifelong Mets fans and both Achilles and his wife Dimitra remember when the team won in 1986, when they were only 10 years old. Now they get to share the joy with their son. "We love the Mets. We'll always love them, win or lose," Dimitra said.
Vintage Jersey Celebrates 1986 World Series Win
Janice Bradshaw, from Cambria Heights, wore a vintage Darryl Strawberry jersey to the rally, which she attended with friends from the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center on Linden Boulevard.
Friends from Senior Center Celebrate the Mets
The Alpha Phi Alpha senior center in Cambria Heights is filled with Mets fans — like Blossom Henry, 77, who's been a fan since the beginning and goes to games at the stadium whenever she can. She wore her special Mets scarf to the rally. Doris David, 72, wore her "Los Mets" T-shirt to cheer the team on. A total of 19 members of the senior center came to the rally Monday to root for the home team.
Young Woodside Fan Has Been Waiting His Whole Life for This
Zane Kinane, from Woodside, has been waiting a lifetime for the Mets to get in the World Series (well, his lifetime — four years.) He joined his sister Jennah at the rally to cheer for the team.
Mr. Met Embraces Fan After Rally
The rally featured politicians, former Mets players and more — but the biggest hits were Mr. and Mrs. Met, who hugged fans and held babies. Here, Mr. Met embraces a fan after hundreds chanted "Let's go Mets! Beat KC!" on Queens Boulevard.