FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 15, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 53
An Amazin’ day for Mets fans
as they return to Citi Field
BY DEAN MOSES
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Even with COVID-19 capacity restrictions
still in place, the fans were true
to the orange and blue at Citi Field in
Flushing, Queens, on Th ursday, April 8,
for the Mets’ home opener against the
Miami Marlins.
With raised arms and booming cheers,
Citi Field once again had was full of life
with the attendance of more than 8,000
socially distanced fans, many of whom see
each other as a big happy family.
Th is theme of family played a crucial
role in the day’s proceedings. With many
New Yorkers losing family members to
the deadly COVID-19 virus or being
forced to quarantine away from them due
to the pandemic, rendezvousing with fans
who feel akin to extended family has done
a great deal for mental health and morale
for those returning to the ballgame.
Known as “pin man,” Nicholas
Giampietro is something of a Citi Field
celebrity; he’s been attending games for
more than 16 seasons, and fans can recognize
him by the hundreds of pins attached
to his Mets jersey.
He couldn’t be missed in the parking
lot, either; Giampietro rode up to the stadium
in a car adorned with Mets stickers
to greet those who he considers to be
family.
“I get part of my life back,” Giampietro
began, voice thick with emotion. “I miss
all my Met family; it’s been 18 months.
Now I get to see all my friends again, and
that makes me happy,” Giampietro told
Schneps Media.
“Pin man” spent the morning welcoming
back fellow fans home, but he was not
the only one.
“Welcome back” were two words that
oft en left the lips of Citi Field staff as
they accepted hordes of returning fans
who lined up outside the stadium’s many
entrances. While it was a rainy day for
Yankee fans on April 1, Mets fans were
treated to a warm sun beating down upon
them, which only added to the excitement,
especially for those who have anticipating
the day for months.
Giulliano Quesada has been attending
opening days ever since he was a child, a
tradition he now continues with his wife.
“I have been doing it since I was 5 or
6 years old — I got to do it. It’s a family
thing. It’s something we do to bring in
the summer and to support our team,”
Quesada said.
Although it was hard for Quesada to
break an annual family event last year,
he recognizes the importance of putting
health concerns fi rst.
“Th is year it is a glimmer of getting
back to normal. Th ankfully, we have our
health, we are vaccinated, and it seems
like New Yorkers are doing the right
thing,” Quesada added.
Like Quesada, many of the returning
fans were picking up where they left off
well over a year prior, but the process was
not as straightforward as back in 2019.
To gain entry, ticket-holders were
required to present proof of full vaccination
or a COVID-19 test that had been
performed in the last 72 hours. Not only
that, but the stadium was also capped at
20 percent capacity, allowing 8,492 people
inside — each undergoing temperature
checks on their way in.
For father and daughter Hector and
Jessica Gonzalez, the ability to be able to
spend time together outside is a godsend
aft er self-isolating for months. Th e duo
are season ticket holders, regardless of the
strict regulations imposed.
“I get tested already because I am in college
— I get tested weekly, so it wasn’t an
issue at all,” Jessica said. Hector agreed,
stating, “We are coming back Saturday,
and we will get tested again. If everyone
continues to do the right thing, the numbers
will go down.”
As the gates were opened, the gathered
crowd unleashed a roar of cheers. Still, the
sense of reunion did not only extend to
crowd members.
Members of the NYPD K9 unit posed
outside the stadium with their furry fellow
offi cers and even mayoral candidate
Andrew Yang arrived to celebrate the
return of the Amazin’ Mets.
buzz
Photo by Dean Moses
“Pin man” is excited for baseball season.
“I get part of my life back. I miss all my Mets
family; it’s been 18 months. Now I get to
see all my friends again, and that makes me
happy.”
— Nicholas Giampietro
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