Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey visits children at Jamaica Hospital

BY ALICE LOK

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 11:01 AM EDT

Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey brought smiles to the faces of children at Jamaica Hospital when he read to them as part of the EmblemHealth-Mets Magic Program.

“To come out here and put a smile on a kid’s face, it makes their day, it makes my whole day,” said Pelfrey.

Mets mascot Mr. Met and Denise Shearer, manager for special events at EmblemHealth, were also on hand to read and pose for pictures with children in the pediatric department.

The soon-to-be father was all smiles at the event, letting one of the patients climb onto his lap as he was reading.

Letty Martinez, who got to read out loud with the 6’7” pitcher, said her favorite part of the book was “when everyone was winning,” and, when asked if she had fun, she softly replied “yea” with a grin on her face.

Michelle and Robert Suarez brought their daughter Haley to meet Pelfrey and said “it was awesome.” The Suarezes, who said they and their whole household are big Mets fans, said “it was very nice of him [Pelfrey]” to do the reading with the children.

After Pelfrey read the story to the kids, which was about a little boy who practices hard to overcome his label of “the strikeout,” Pelfrey and Mr. Met took pictures, signed and gave out hats and t-shirts, then visited several patients who were unable to get out of bed for the event.

“It was fun but he was tall,” said Michelle Szumowski, who said the visit was “cool.” She was one of the patients who could not leave her bed.

“It makes me happy because I know my daughter feels happy,” said Michelle’s mother Lzbieta.

According to the press release, this is the ninth year that EmblemHealth has partnered up with the Mets “to recognize, honor and bring special moments to deserving individuals.”

Shearer said the reading was all about “giving back to the community. It really thrills the children.”

THE QUEENS COURIER/Photos by Alice Lok
Mike Pelfrey holds onto Justin as he reads to children in Jamaica Hospital’s pediatric center, as Letty Martinez and Denise Shearer look on.