SPORTS
“I tell people every year when it’s elections, that I don’t
know if they like me or they don’t want to do the job,’’
Fertitta said with a laugh. “It’s like any other organization —
you have to be into it, you know what I mean.’’
Fertitta is usually one of the first in line each year when the
ticket office opens for business. Invariably, he’ll get asked by
friends if he could get tickets for a certain game. To make it
easier on himself, Fertitta purchases 50 season tickets in section
15 next to the Mets dugout on the third base side, where you
can find many of the boosters, and sells them at face value.
As for the off-season moves by the Mets, Fertitta is all in.
“I don’t want to knock anybody like the old owners the
Wilpons, but the new owner spends money,’’ said Fertitta,
referring to Cohen. “I hate the Yankees, being a Mets fan, but
deceased Yankees owner George Steinbrenner used to spend
the money to get the players. With Cohen spending the money,
they all have to stay healthy and they have to produce.’’
And, how does he feel about the Mets’ chances in 2023?
“To tell you the truth, as Gil Hodges always said, ‘You
know, the team with less injuries could win it,’” Fertitta said.
“And, what I’ve seen in this past year’s playoffs is that if you
get hot and with the extra Wild Card team, you could make it
right to the World Series referring to the Phillies.’’
GEARING UP TO DEFEND FSL TITLE
Meanwhile, for Van Allen, he’s looking forward to his St.
Lucie Mets getting a lift from a full spring training when
they begin their defense of the Single-A Florida State League
championship on April 7.
“It’s awesome, it really is,’’ Van Allen said. “There are so
many people coming into St. Lucie County and our area continues
NEW YORK & ST. LUCIE METS
BOOSTER CLUB
President: Jim Fertitta
Website: metsboosterclub.org
Phone: 359.2014
Tickets: Check with Fertitta for any available tickets
remaining for six spring training games, bus trips to Mets-
Nationals in West Palm Beach on March 11 and a regularseason
game at Miami Marlins on April 1.
to grow. Our goal is to let them know that, ‘Hey, you’re
in Mets country now,’ and whether it be New York Mets
spring training or St. Lucie Mets during the summer, this is
Mets country — blue and orange. We’re trying to get them
when they first get here, you know.
“We’ll have the flag up in back of the stadium and the signs
are already up on the wall,’’ Van Allen said. “People will know,
when you win, as everyone knows in any sport, it’s fun.
“During the minor league season, people come out to the
games almost more so for the promotions, for the community
aspect,’’ he said. “It’s something fun, safe and affordable to
do with friends and family. But when you win, that’s the
cherry on top. It’s, ‘Hey, we’re watching a good team actually,
too; this is great.’ ’’ E
Francisco Lindor, whose 24
home runs set a Mets singleseason
record for a shortstop, is
a fan favorite at spring training.
NEW YORK METS
Port St. Lucie Magazine 17
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