Former New York Mets mascot dweller, AJ Mass, has penned a book in which he recounts some of his most interesting experiences as ‘Mr. Met,’ the face of baseball’s saddest franchise. One of the more notable accounts from Mass’ new book Yes, It’s Hot in Here: Adventures in the Weird, Woolly World of Sports Mascots details President Bill Clinton’s trip to Shea Stadium in 1997.
On April 15, President Clinton was in attendance at the Mets game to honor the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s Major League debut. Mass, excited at the thought of meeting and getting a photo-op with the President of the United States, called it “the holy grail for all mascots.”
Unfortunately, that “holy grail” was never reached by Mass because the Secret Service threatened to take his life if he approached the President.
“We have snipers all around the stadium, just in case something were to happen. Like I said, do whatever it is you normally do. But approach the President, and we go for the kill shot. Are we clear?” one agent reportedly told Mass before Clinton arrived at the stadium.
While looking into Mr. Met’s “very soul with his blank, unblinking stare,” the agent then repeated himself: “Approach the president, and we go for the kill shot…ARE–WE–CLEAR?”
I guess he was pretty clear considering Mass didn’t get his brains blown out inside Mr. Met’s big, dumb baseball head.
[Gawker]
