The 2006 Baseball Season, as experienced by the Lincoln Household

The 2006 baseball season will be one to remember in our home for a long time. We had some exciting experiences while cheering for the Mets this year in a variety of ways.

The season started with high hopes, as the Mets had acquired a slugging first baseman (Carlos Delgado), a solid high-average catcher (Paul Lo Duca), who both would add to the potent lineup that included youngsters David Wright, Jose Reyes, and a hopefully rebounding Carlos Beltran.

Thurman and I were able to attend a game in early May (6th) against the Braves. At this game, one of the Mets starting pitchers (Zambrano) blew out his elbow. The Mets ended up winning the game, though it was a close save at the end. There was another game that we attended, we had gotten discounted field level seats through my work, but I can't remember when exactly it was.

By the All-Star break, the Mets had a comfortable lead in the division, and several of the team members were having great seasons. Optimism about the team was high all around, and hopes for a long October were strong.

On August 3rd, I received an interesting email from the ESPNZone in Manhattan. They were advertising a contest for the "Ultimate Mets Fan", and was being held that same evening at the ESPNZone. The contest itself was simple: sing "Take me Out to the Ballgame" the best (according to their criteria which included stage presence, enthusiasm, Met fan-ness, and audience applause) and you would be declared the "Ultimate fan" by Baby Ruth (the sponsor) and win a prize package.

As soon as I read it, I knew I would go. How could I not? All I had to do was sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and be the best in the minds of the judges. The prize package was very appealing, but I was initially hesitant. I'd sung the song thousands of times (a bedtime favorite for my eldest), but would I be good enough to stand out from everyone else? I had an idea that might help, so I decided to try. I left work a little early to get Thurman and make the short trek from Hoboken to Manhattan. We arrived at ESPNZone in time to register and waited for the contest to begin. We were clad in our Mets gear and killed some time playing games and enjoying the always-magnificent cookie sundae. Luckily, I was one of those randomly drawn to participate, and was called up to perform. I had prepared for this in a unique way, and was hoping it would pay off. I sang the song using a duck puppet I've had for years, singing in a duck voice. The duck was also wearing a Mets shirt, which I was hoping the judges would notice too. I must have done something right, because about an hour later, I was declared the winner.

Thurman, who knew what he would get to do with me if I won, was overjoyed, jumping up and down when my name was announced. That night we received a gift bag with a Mets hat (given to Thurman), a Mets shirt, and some Baby Ruth candy bars. When we got home, Thurman declared to my wife, "I'm the luckiest boy in the world!"The remainder of the night was spent calling some of my friends and family to share the good news. The next day, I honestly had a hard time even thinking about work, much less concentrating on anything there. The day dragged by, though I did enjoy relating the events of the previous evening to some of my co-workers. Thanks to a lucky break, we were able to secure my wife a ticket for the field level for that night so she and our youngest son (16 months at the time) could join us.

We met our hosts near Gate E at Shea Stadium around 5:00 to check in, and watched entrants for the second Ultimate Fan contest. After the winner was selected, the two lucky winners and their guests were guided through the rear entrance to Shea Stadium. We visited the bullpen and the indoor batting cages, where Carlos Delgado said hi to Thurman (who was wearing a Delgado shirt). Thurman was thrilled! We went by the clubhouse, and eventually were led on the field near home plate just as the Phillies were finishing batting practice. Thurman and I were somewhat disappointed that the Mets weren't going to be taking BP that day, but knew they had gotten back from Miami late the previous night. However, we were still in store for a great treat. We were led over to the Mets dugout, and were delighted to meet the first base coach, Sandy Alomar. I took Thurman's picture with him, and then he called over Jose Reyes to be in the picture as well. They were both happy to have their picture taken and offered to sign his baseball as well. Thurman was a bit star-struck. Soon after, we were led to our seats. They were the "Dream Seats" in right field, near the foul pole. The leather recliners, emblazoned with the Mets logo were very comfortable, the view was spectacular, and we had room to stretch out (or in my toddler's case, room to run around). I would liken it to flying first class versus coach. We had a fabulous time enjoying the game in such a great environment.

Also a part of the prize package was an official Mets jersey, worth about $250, which was pretty cool. Finally, the icing on the cake was the opportunity to stand on top of the dugout with Mr. Met for the 7th inning stretch to lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". It was such a thrill to see all the people and be a part of something so fun.

You would think that all the fun and excitement would stop there, but it didn't. Later in September, I received a phone call from the ESPNZone. I was then asked if I remembered signing up for a chance to win tickets to a Mets game. I had, on the same night I had won the Ultimate Fan contest. This prize wasn't nearly as elaborate, simply a pair of field level seats and a tour of the press area with a chance to sit in the press box for an inning. Ho-hum. :)

So, of course I took Thurman. We went to the game on Sept. 20th against the Marlins. We had a blast checking out the press area, got to see the reporters typing about the game, and Thurman even enjoyed a sundae in the press box. We also were given some gift bags with hats, shirts, media guides, and Thurman got some fun kids stuff too.

With all of the excitement this season, I'm glad we were able to enjoy it in a very special way. While I was hopeful the Mets would make it to the World Series, I can take a litin theomfort inthe fact that they made it a lot closer than the Yankees did.

I just hope that Thurman didn't get too spoiled, and still enjoys the game in the upper deck, where we will most likely be sitting next year.