Eight-year-old Mason Maier signed a contract on Tuesday, August 20, that will make him a New York Met for a day. Maier is in remission from leukemia after treatment at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
Photo by Paul Frangipane
As the New York Mets continue their push into the playoffs, the team made a very special addition on Tuesday, August 20. Eight-year-old Mason Maier was able to make his dream come true when he signed an honorary contract as a “Met for a Day.”
Mason was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in August 2019 and has been in remission for just over a year. He joined the Mets earlier this year during spring training, where he met several players and practiced, hit, and played catch with the team. Thanks to the Mets and Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Mason has now officially been able to join the team..
Mason appeared at Citi Field wearing a Mets uniform and a Cohen Children’s Medical Center cap. He had his own press conference along with his parents Laura and Jeff and nurse Rosemarie Corless.
Along with Donovan Mitchell Sr., the Mets’ senior director of DEI and community relations, Mason then signed the contract that officially made him a Met.
“We often talk about the joy we bring to the children who come to us, but Mason has brought us a lot of joy,” Richards said. “As a token of our appreciation and for what you have been through, we would like to present you with a one-day contract.”
“I’m excited to be a Met,” Mason said after officially signing his contract. He then walked through the Mets locker room to Citi Field, where he got to play catch.
Mason’s parents were vocal in their gratitude to the Mets and Cohen Children’s Medical Center for hosting the event. They also praised Cohen for the excellent care they provided Mason during his three-year battle with cancer.
“It was his amazing clinical team, his doctors and his nurses that helped Mason get through this and become a wonderful, thriving 8-year-old today,” Laura said. “The entire staff at Cohen Children’s Medical Center has been incredible over the last few years and it really brings great joy to see Mason doing something he absolutely loves with his favorite team, the New York Mets.”
In June 2019, Mason began suffering from unexplained fevers for extended periods of time. He became lethargic, ate very little, and bruised easily. This led his parents to take him to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in August, where he was diagnosed with ALL. Mason underwent chemotherapy for three years and endured multiple hospitalizations throughout his treatment due to infections or low white blood cell counts. During his treatment, he developed a passion for baseball.
“He really went through the treatment bravely,” said Corless. “We are so proud of you, Mason, for everything you went through. You handled it so bravely.”
Mason has been in remission for a year and is now a happy boy who enjoys going to school, being with his friends and cheering on the Mets.
