Most sports teams make a promise for a single season, but the New York Mets kept a vow for twenty-five years. While the world moved on, former players like Robin Ventura and John Franco returned to the same firehouse in Manhattan to honor the past. This tradition started right after the terror attacks in 2001 and has never stopped, even as the roster changed completely.
A Promise Kept Through Time
The story begins with a simple golf game in the summer of 2001. Ventura played with a man named Chris Quackenbush, whose son looked at the star player with pure admiration. Ventura recalled that moment clearly, saying he wished his own kids could see him that way. But the world changed before Ventura could enjoy that feeling for long. The attacks happened, and Quackenbush died that day. Ventura still goes back to find his name, a personal reminder of what was lost.
When the Mets visited FDNY Ladder Company No. 25 on Tuesday, the group included legends like Al Leiter and Todd Zeile. They were there to show they had not forgotten the men who died. It has been a long time since those events, yet the connection remains strong.
From Veterans to New Leaders
The team has kept up these yearly visits to firehouses across the city since 2001. The first trip was led by manager Bobby Valentine and media director Jay Horwitz, who took civilians to Ground Zero shortly after the attacks. Horwitz detailed the profound personal impact the tragedy had on the players. These men knew the area and the people they were trying to help.
Former third baseman David Wright joined the tradition even though he was not on the 2001 roster. Zeile remarked that Wright “picked up where we left off,” illustrating how the legacy endures through new faces. Wright wants to make sure the next generation understands the weight of this history. He told his teammates that they must demonstrate to younger players why this matters. This isn’t just about sports; it is about teaching respect for those who risk their lives.
The Heart of the City
The bond between the Mets and the fire department runs deep, anchored by the work of Jay Horwitz. One former player called him “The glue, then and now, is Jay Horwitz,” highlighting his role in keeping the promise alive. These words show the deep care the team has for the first responders.
While the game changes and players retire, this mission stays the same. Before afternoon practice, the 2001 team delivered supplies to first responders in the morning, establishing a routine that is now a sacred season tradition.
