Read more about the article LATE-INNING RALLY
Silver Sluggers members, from left, Nick Kerigan, Sue Kerigan, Dianne Potter and Mel Potter watch the St. Lucie Mets play a game last August. The Potters both worked for the New York Mets at spring training for many years where they found out about the Silver Sluggers program. They invited their neighbors, the Kerigans, to join and attend the games with them. RUSTY DURHAM PHOTOS

LATE-INNING RALLY

One of Port St. Lucie’s best-kept secrets is the summer fun of the Silver Sluggers program offered by the St. Lucie Mets organization. Exclusively for those aged 55 and older, it provides social activities surrounding the St. Lucie Mets team.

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Read more about the article Meet the New Mets
New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza tosses a baseball during warmups in a past spring training at Clover Park. Mendoza is in his third season at the helm. HELENE HAESSLER/ST. LUCIE METS

Meet the New Mets

As New York Mets fans converge this month for spring training at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, they must be wondering which version of the 2025 team they’ll see. Will it be the team that, in mid-June, held the best record in Major League Baseball — or the one that limped to a sour finish, missing the playoffs on the final day of the season?

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Read more about the article Soto Sensation
Shortly after signing in December the biggest contract in the history of sports, Juan Soto shows off his new Mets jersey. Last year he was a star for crosstown rival the New York Yankees. NEW YORK METS

Soto Sensation

Each year, Jim Fertitta buys 50 seats for each New York Mets spring training game at Clover Park. Fertitta, president of the New York & St. Lucie Mets Booster Club, distributes the tickets to booster club members at face value. He makes not a dime.

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Read more about the article Bobblehead collection receives nod of approval
St. Lucie Mets General Manager Traer Van Allen, standing next to his personal 850-piece bobblehead collection on display at the Mets’ offices. JOE DESALVO

Bobblehead collection receives nod of approval

Never mind stamps or coins. St. Lucie Mets General Manager Traer Van Allen’s colorful collection of 850 bobbleheads will make your head, er, shake in amazement. A glass cabinet with figurines with large heads mounted on a spring so that it bobs up and down takes an entire wall in the main hallway of the staff offices at Clover Park

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Read more about the article Hope springs eternal
Mets ace right-hander Max Scherzer will be reunited with former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander, who signed a two-year, $86.66 million free-agent deal in December. In addition, the Mets added a few other starters and relievers to the pitching staff, and retained All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. NEW YORK METS

Hope springs eternal

The New York Mets open spring training camp for the 36th year in Port St. Lucie and there’s no doubt the vibe is at an unprecedented level.

Continue ReadingHope springs eternal