North Shore Life Skills program student Anthony Collura was featured on live radio with Craig Carton of WFAN discussing his favorite baseball team, the New York Mets. To listen to the conversation, visit Go.Audacy.com/URrHZSHJQ4b
“I became a Mets fan when I went to my very first Mets game at Shea stadium on Wednesday, May 30th, 2007, at 7:10 pm against the Giants,” Collura wrote in a statement. “I was 5 months and 14 days old. They won the game 3-0. I still have my ticket stub in my baby book. I’ve been their number one fan for 19 years, 1 month, and 21 days.”
“Everyone in my family loves the Mets,” he continued. “The best part is going to the games with my grandpa. My favorite Mets game (that I went to) was the 2024 National League Division Series Game 4 between the Mets and Phillies. It was one of the biggest playoff victories in recent Mets history because it was the first postseason series win ever at Citi Field, and Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam to put the Mets in the lead. I also loved going to a Mets vs. Phillies game in 2015 because Curtis Granderson tossed me a baseball.”
Additionally, Collura goes to at least one Met game a season. His favorite players include Juan Soto, Yoenis Céspedes, Jacob deGrom, and Pete Alonso. When he was a young boy, he played Little League. Currently, Collura enjoys coaching his younger brother’s Little League team.
“Anthony is a student in North Shore’s Life Skills program and has been part of North Shore’s special education program since kindergarten,” said Carly Collura, his mother. “Before joining the Life Skills program in high school, he tried the Regents path, but it wasn’t the right fit. The Life Skills program focuses on helping students build communication, self-advocacy, vocational, social, community, and everyday living skills so they can become as independent as possible.”
“His love for baseball—especially his devotion to the New York Mets—has become so much more than a game,” she added. “It has become his bridge to the world. It’s how he starts conversations, forms friendships, remembers names, makes people laugh, and feels like he belongs…More than anything, I hope Anthony’s story helps shine a light on an incredible group of students whose accomplishments and journeys are not always as visible.”
