There is always something special about the home opener.

The first time back at the ballpark. A new season. Renewed hope.

For me, it’s always just a little extra special.

It’s our father-son tradition to go to the Mets home opener – the one game every year my dad and I go to together.

It began in 2003 on a freezing cold day when the Mets played the Cubs at Shea Stadium when I was 12 years old and we lived together in Connecticut.

On Thursday in 2023, we kept the tradition alive. Me living in New York, my dad flying up from South Carolina to make sure we keep it going.

It marked our 20-year anniversary of our tradition…and yes it was a little cold, but nothing was colder than that 30-degree home opener back in 2003 at Shea.

From 12 to 32 and now working at the New York Post, hosting a Mets podcast with a former player.

It’s been one heck of a journey, and it means a lot to me to be there for the first home game with the guy that got me into watching baseball.

The 20-year anniversary was capped off with my dad and mom seeing me host a podcast live, for the first time, in front of a packed bar at Katch Astoria as Nelson Figueroa and I hosted “Amazin’ But True” with special guest Endy Chavez. What a day it was on Friday.

Following the Mets’ series win over the Marlins, public address announcer Colin Cosell co-hosted the podcast with me Sunday night. You can listen to and watch the newest episode of “Amazin’ But True” below.