We're joined in this episode by Monsignor Thomas Machalski, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bayside, NY. In addition to his full-time duties at Sacred Heart, Msgr. Thomas also serves as the New York Mets' Team Chaplain.
This is actually his second tour with the Mets, he previously served from 2007-11 before he was re-assigned out of state, and resumed the role in 2023.
It's a bit of a dream job for Msgr. Thomas who grew up a fan of the 1969 Miracle Mets, inheriting his fandom from his father.
During our time together, Msgr. Thomas gives a brief history of a MLB Team Chaplain role (a request by then-Met Rusty Staub got it started), what the role entails (think of a quick Sunday mass for all team/stadium personnel), and what the role has been like for him.
He also shares memories of his 1969 idols (Tommie Agee, Cleon Jones, Ed Charles, Jerry Grote, Tug McGraw, and Ed Kranepool) as well as the 1986 World Series champs.
Our Conversation takes a more somber turn when Msgr. Thomas shares what it was like to be a priest on site at the Twin Towers following 9/11 as well as what it was like to be in Shea Stadium on September 21, 2001, when the Mets' returned home to face their NL East rival, Atlanta Braves, and Mike Piazza blasted a go-ahead homerun.
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