Santa Claus appears to be a Mets fan.
The team hosted its annual kids holiday party Thursday in the Piazza Club at Citi Field, bringing in over 125 students from Queens elementary schools for lunch, crafts and performances. It was the final event of MetsGiving, the team’s winter series of community outreach initiatives. The Mets received the biggest gift last week when outfielder Juan Soto signed on to play in Flushing for 15 years.
The kids might have been more excited about seeing Santa, but Santa, played by SNY analyst and former Mets first baseman catcher Todd Zeile, was excited about Soto.
“Santa delivered Soto this year, what do you expect?” Zeile said. “I mean, you’ve got to be a Mets fan.”
Having been around the Mets for several years, Zeile has seen several incarnations of the team. The perception has changed drastically over the last few years, leading to generational players like Soto wanting to be a part of the action in Queens.
“I think the aura around the franchise was changing, which enabled the Mets to get Juan Soto,” Zeile said. “I think it’s a kind of double edge, but there’s a lot of excitement. I think there’s still work to do. There is certainly a feeling that the New York Mets are a destination for Major League Baseball players now. And I think that’s something that’s evolved over the last four or five years. Just the way guys want to necessarily be a part of this and the future and the sustainability of a potential winning team is exciting for the Mets and for the Mets fans.”
Zeile reprised his role as Santa for the second time, getting help from his elves, reliever Reed Garrett and his wife, Mary. For Garrett, the idea of Soto being on his side of things is ideal.
He no longer has to face him on the mound.
“I’m glad we don’t have to pitch to him anymore,” Garrett said. “I think he’s an anchor for our team and he’s going to be somebody who can change a game by himself. And I think he’s just truly an unbelievable talent.”
Garrett crossed paths with Soto in 2022 when he played for the Washington Nationals. He described him as someone who leads by example and said he’s a “great guy” to have in the clubhouse.
While Soto’s new teammates have expressed optimism about having such an impactful hitter in the lineup, they haven’t talked much with each other yet. With the holiday season in full swing, the Mets are letting one another reset with their families. However, Garrett has been in touch with left-hander David Peterson about a fantasy football team they co-own. Unfortunately, their season has ended as well.
“We put up a good fight,” Garrett joked.
There will be plenty of time to talk about Soto in the future. Thursday, the focus was on the kids.
“Being part of the community and giving back, it’s definitely something special to us,” Garrett said. “I’m glad to be part of this community as well. [The best part was] seeing all the kids smile.”
