'I love you, Angel'

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

One of the most memorable baseball stadiums in the Southeastern U.S. is approximately 30 minutes south of Flagler County — Jackie Robinson Ballpark, in Daytona Beach, home of the Single-A Daytona Cubs, which is the minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The stadium was built in 1914, and in 1998, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

I headed down there May 25 with my father and brother to catch the St. Lucie Mets (New York Mets’ Single-A affiliate) play against the Daytona Cubs.

The Cubs have had a fantastic season so far and improved to 45-12 that night after defeating the Mets 5-0.

As for the St. Lucie Mets, they have had a decent season, but the main reason I wanted to go was to catch Matt Harvey — the Mets’ No.1 overall pick in last year’s Major League Baseball Draft.

Unfortunately, Harvey was scratched from the start because he’s likely going to get called up to the Mets’ Double-A affiliate in a few days.

However, the Mets’ starting center fielder, Angel Pagan, was in Daytona on a rehabilitation assignment.
Pagan has been one of my favorite players, especially after his breakout season last year.

As the game began, Pagan was batting in the No. 2 spot. He was standing in the on-deck circle, taking a few practice swings.

There I was, sitting about four rows away from him on the first base side (you can get awesome seats at Daytona, and it’s even better when there are big-league players on rehab assignments).

I was wearing my blue Mets hat, and right as Pagan looked in my direction, I yelled out: “I love you, Angel!”

He gave me an odd look — it was kind of like he was caught off guard that someone knew who he was in Daytona Beach, far away from New York.

But after he noticed my Mets hat, he gave a little smirk and thumbs up.

Pagan ended up going 1-for-4 in the game with a single and a nice catch in center field.

If you ever have a chance to get down to Daytona, I highly recommend it.

The Cubs are having a fantastic year, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is exceptional — especially on Wednesdays, when it’s $1 hot dog night!