New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz is all about spreading a little holiday cheer this off season. First, he dressed up as Santa Claus during the Mets Holiday Party at Citi Field, and on Monday, December 28th, the rookie met with a group of special fans, pediatric patients at the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
On Monday, December 28th, Matz, who is a Stony Brook native, spent time with the children in the pediatric floor playroom and also hung out with some of the patients in their hospital rooms in the acute care and intensive care units. “It’s great to see these kids at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and take time to learn about them,” said Matz. “That’s what it is all about this time of year.” While at the Children’s Hospital, he encouraged those that he met to continue getting better and to complete all their treatments.
During the visit, a few of the patients, like Nicholas Reinoso, 9, of Bellport, proudly displayed their artistic skills by showing off Mets-themed drawings, including a few of the team’s mascot, Mr. Met. After admiring the masterpieces, Matz graciously signed the children’s artwork and chatted with patients.
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Steven Matz with Stony Brook Children’s patients Nicholas Reinoso, left, and Anmol Jaswal, both displaying their Mets’ themed colored drawings. (Courtesy Photo) |
If they weren’t already a fan of the Mets rookie, it definitely seems like he hit a home run with the young patients. “It was cool to meet him,” said Anmol Jaswal, 21, of Blue Point, who studies at Long Island University. Anmol spoke with Matz about her dream of playing for the LIU tennis team, and after finding out her birthday was the day before, he wished her a happy birthday and noted he would cheer for her to get back on the courts.
Matz’s visit to Stony Brook also included a stop at the hematology/oncology clinic at the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, where he signed autographs and visited with children undergoing chemotherapy.
