Sports And Romance: "I Dated Mr. Met"

Earlier, I shared my love for the Mets mascot, Mr. Met. And what should I learn? A woman I know has dated him! I needed to get the story. What's it like to spoon a sports icon?!

SS: So, you dated Mr. Met for a month. How did you meet? And did his status as Mr. Met influence you?

Jessica: We met through match.com. His profile mentioned that he did some work for the Mets but he was totally enigmatic about it. Although in retrospect I believe there was a Mr. Met photo on his profile.

SS: So, how did he reveal it? It's a delicate matter, revealing a secret identity.

Jessica: Oh goodness, let me think — I feel like he must have mentioned it on the first date. Shoot, I can't remember exactly I get so nervous on first dates and was really excited to meet him, because we talked a lot on the phone and it seemed like we had a lot in common and that he was nice — so I was more nervous and excited than usual...I know it was hard for us to schedule our first date because it was right at the end of the season ... but honestly I don't think he mentioned it until we met. Being from a different state I had like no idea who Mr. Met was.

SS: In some ways, I imagine it was refreshing for him, as a major celebrity, to meet a woman who didn't even know who he was.

Jessica: Yes, I was not a super fan who only dated him for his celebrity. My friends were really excited, though!

SS: Was it challenging dating such a public figure?

Jessica: I thought it was very interesting work, but honestly, my being a professional with a 9-to-5 inhibited us being able to see each other; I think during the summer it would have been really hard And there is more than one [Mr. Met], but he was the main guy. They get rented out during the off season and make a lot of money. He'd also sweat a lot in the suit which was kinda grody.

SS: He has a suit at home?! This is important.

Jessica: Yes, he has the suit; he does private appearances so he brings it with him. I saw it in a garbage bag when I went to his place.

SS: Oh.

SS: So: did the ego come off with the head?

Jessica: Actually, he was not egotistical at all...he's an actor, and pretty serious about it. A very sweet nice guy.

SS: Nice. So he took the role seriously. (And probably had a good arm — or at least was v. good at the tee-shirt gun.) Was he actually a Met fan?

Jessica: He grew up on Long Island and he is A HUGE MET FAN. So it was serious, serious business. He loved it, and he'd done it for like 10 years. But, you cannot be Mr. Met forever.

SS: Did you ever get to appear at his side when he was Mr. Met?

Jessica: No, we only dated in the fall after the season was over. I saw his new girlfriend took a pic with him as Mr. Met...

SS: At the end of the day, maybe it was like how Peter Parker can't really have a normal relationship because his loyalties ate divided between his heart and his greater work. And the Mets do kind of need all his support.

Jessica: Well it was a strain being that I worked during the day and he worked in the evenings and on weekends. Plus, I was an actress in my twenties — I cannot date actors anymore. My Mets fan friends were really upset it didn't work out.

SS: Are you a Mets fan now?

Jessica: I'm a Cubs fan! But now I am really into Mr. Met and read about him online.

SS: He gets under your skin like that.

Jessica: And by the way: He's Jewish!

Earlier: Me And Mr. Met: A Love Story