Mike Baxter of the New York Mets took to the waters of Meadow Lake this past Friday for a learn-to-row session with our coaches and rowers. The Mets and Row New York both call Flushing Meadows-Corona Park home, a circumstance that produced Friday’s rowing lesson. Coach Mike Eichler and a group of varsity rowers were on hand to ensure the Mets’ valuable left fielder stayed safe and was well instructed.
Baxter’s rowing lesson started with a boathouse tour. He learned the ins and outs of oars, boats, and their associated terminology. With Mets mascot Mister Met in tow, Baxter hopped on our erg machines and got a crash course in the rowing stroke. Once prepared, Baxter put his shoulder under a gunwale and moved an 8+ to the dock with our varsity rowers. With their help, he rowed around the lake.
Our Director of Corporate Relations and Events Shafcat Kassim described Baxter as “excited” and “enthusiastic” to learn something new. “He was really into it,” she said. “He thought the girls were amazing. They kept him afloat!”
Following the morning row, Baxter’s adventure was projected on Citi Field’s jumbotron at that evening’s Mets game versus the Astros.
Row New York thanks our good neighbors and parks partners, the New York Mets, for this exciting opportunity.
