Vic Black sent out a tweet yesterday letting all his followers know he was going to put up something important. What we would come to find out is he accepted the fact that he would no longer be a member of the New York Mets and wanted to let us know how much he loved playing for our city and the organization:

Thank You New York

As some of you may have gathered my time with the New York Mets is at its end. I didn’t play for 10 years nor was I an All-star or contributor to last seasons amazing run BUT I’ll never forget my time playing for the greatest fans/city in baseball. From walking the streets of Manhattan, to riding the 7 Line daily to Citi Field I was given moments I’ll remember for my lifetime.

See I get why a lot of people picture New York as giant skyscrapers, crazy taxis and busy, busy people BUT what gets the bad wrap are exactly what make this city the greatest: it’s the PEOPLE of New York. They are what make it “New York”.

I remember a moment during the All-star break in 2014. I had stayed in NYC for the break to just enjoy the city. I decided one night to go see a movie at the AMC Empire 25 theatre off 42nd. What’s funny is I couldn’t tell you what movie or if I had even enjoyed it but what happened next is why I get a bit teary eyed still to this day. You see I was walking out around 11 pm or so and had come to W42nd & 8th Ave and was waiting for the light to change so I could head home. Upon crossing the street there was an older gentleman in a ball cap walking the opposite direction as we passed each other I heard him say “Nice first half Vic! We are happy you are with us. Best of luck in the second half.”

I didn’t love this because I was recognized rather because it was at its most intimate and simplistic level a perfect example of how the people of New York are.

You were kind in welcoming me to YOUR family and I’ll always have blue and orange running in my blood. New York captured my heart and nothing can ever take that away. You gave me a gift, experiences and moments I’ll cherish forever. I’m counting the days till my next visit in whatever capacity it may be. I love you New York!

Vic Black

What Vic Black did in his Mets career has no bearing on this statement, nor this post. We all wanted him to be as amazing as he was before the the injuries, and we all hope he still is when he is ready to get on the mound again, but unfortunately baseball is a business and these things happen.

What I love about this statement is he gets it. Through his experiences he sees that New Yorkers are not bad – just passionate. Of course there are the few bad apples out there that keep the stereotype strong, but you’ll find that anywhere. New Yorkers are passionate.

Mets Fans are passionate.

The older gentleman who let him know that not just him, but all Mets fans were pulling for him, is the passion I find in die hard Mets fans day in and day out. We love our team! We will walk with them through the depths of hell, and thats not an understatement.

New Yorkers love baseball. No matter what team you root for, or may have rooted for in the past, we love baseball. Vic Black realized that and simply said thank you.

Mets Fans always had your back Vic, and we’re sorry to see you go, now more than ever. We wish you the best and don’t worry, you will always bleed orange and blue along with the rest of us. Thank You!

You can find the original tweet and post below: