METS TO HOST OPENING DAY – JULY 24 VS. ATLANTA
FLUSHING, N.Y., July 23, 2020 – The New York Mets will host Opening Day at Citi Field Friday, July 24, at 4:10 p.m. vs. the Atlanta Braves. While unfortunately Mets fans are not able to attend the game in-person, the organization will carry on with several traditions to welcome in the new season.
The annual Shea family floral presentation, a tradition that dates to the first Opening Day at Shea Stadium in 1964, will take place virtually this year. The ceremony was started by Bill Shea who was instrumental in bringing National League baseball back to New York. Members of the Shea family will virtually present Mets manager Luis Rojas with a good luck floral arrangement.
A group of essential workers from New York will come together to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” virtually. In the middle of the seventh inning, Lauren Patten, from the hit Broadway Show Jagged Little Pill, will virtually sing “God Bless America.”
During the contest, the Mets will virtually salute Veteran of the Game, Staff Sergeant Juliet Taylor. A member of the US Army for 12 years from 2002-2014, Taylor was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. For her service she received three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, seven Army Good Conduct Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal amongst many other honors.
Taylor continues to serve her community by working with several non-profit organizations such as American Veterans, Post 43, Disabled American Veterans, Habitat for Heroes, Female Soldier Forgotten Heroes and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In addition, a special guest to be named later will throw out the first pitch.
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