Mets Pitcher Steven Matz Visits Stony Brook Children's Hospital

By South O’ the Highway

2 minute 12/29/2015

Patient Zachary Cottrell got a special bedside visit from Mets pitcher Steven Matz. Photo credit: Courtesy Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

Steven Matz, New York Mets pitcher and native of Stony Brook, brought holiday cheer and big smiles to the faces of dozens of Long Island’s youngest Mets fans–pediatric patients at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

The Mets pitcher spent time talking to the children and encouraged them to keep getting better and to finish all their treatments. Patients like Nicholas Reinoso, 9, of Bellport, shared their artwork with Matz–colored drawings of Mr. Met and other Mets’ themed images. He signed their drawings and chatted with patients in the pediatric floor playroom and in some of their hospital rooms in the acute care and intensive care units.

“It’s great to see these kids at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and take time to learn about them,” Matz said. “That’s what it is all about this time of year.”

“It was cool to meet him,” said Anmol Jaswal, 21, of Blue Point, a college student who attends Long Island University. Decked out in her tennis sweatsuit, Anmol mentioned to Matz that it was her birthday the day before and talked about her tennis game and hopes to play for LIU. He wished her a happy birthday and said he would root for her to get back on the courts.

Mets pitcher Steven Matz with Stony Brook Children’s patients Nicholas Reinoso, left, and Anmol Jaswal, both displaying their Mets’ themed colored drawings, which Matz autographed.
Photo credit: Courtesy Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

Matz also visited the hematology/oncology clinic at the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, signing autographs and visiting children undergoing chemotherapy.