Boyhood hero becomes my friend

By FATHER JOHN O'KANE- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

When I was a child in the ’70s, living in Uniondale, Long Island, my father took me to see a bunch of Mets baseball games at Shea Stadium. I saw a lot of great players such as Tom Seaver, Rusty Staub, Willie Mays, Tug McGraw, Jon Matlack and many more. They were my heroes and I always had fun watching them play. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one of them would become my friend.

About three years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Jon and Dee Matlack. They live in Johnsburg in the boundaries of St. James Church in North Creek. I was excited to meet Jon. I found him to be very friendly, genuine and humble; many of today’s celebrity athletes should model his personality. I have seen the Matlacks again on many social occasions. They had come to my Masses and parish functions. I never thought they considered me their friend until they invited me to attend Jon’s induction ceremony into the New York Mets’ Hall of Fame at Citi Field on July 31.

It was an exciting day. I met their beautiful family and sat with them in their private suite. Memories of those early Met games that my father took me to came back. I had the special grace of my father at the game. The woman who beautifully sang the National Anthem was a NYC police officer. I noticed as she sang that the number 9 was on the collar of her uniform. She works at the 9th precinct; the same precinct that my father retired from in 1976.

I also had the opportunity to meet notable former Mets such as Bobby Valentine and Ron Darling, who also was inducted into the Met Hall of Fame that day. I had my picture taken with them along with the mascots, Mr. and Mrs. Met. Jon, Ron, and the other inductee, Edgardo Alfonzo, gave excellent speeches. The game against the Cincinnati Reds turned out to be a great one. The newest New York Met, Javier Baez, would hit a home run keeping the Mets behind by only one run. The Mets would tie the game in the bottom of the ninth and win the game 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th. “Put it in the books” as Met announcer Howie Rose, who was the MC of the Hall of Fame ceremony, says after the Mets win a game. Who can ask for a more perfect evening?

When I think of all the blessings that I have received in my lifetime, including many wonderful parishioners and the people I have met and worked with throughout ministry, I am very thankful and grateful for ALL God has given me, especially my parishioners and my special friendship with Jon and Dee Matlack.

Father John O’Kane is pastor of the Parish of St. Isaac Jogues in Chestertown-Hague and St. James Church in North Creek and priest associate for the winter at Blessed Sacrament Church in Bolton Landing.