NEW YORK — Starling Marte approached the plate during a crucial moment in the National League Championship Series Game 5, donning a unique accessory gifted to him by a young fan. The 12-year-old boy, named Simeon, presented Marte with an eye-catching necklace in orange, white, and blue as the Mets faced off against the Dodgers with runners positioned at the corners in the eighth inning.

Marte capitalized on this opportunity, driving in a run with an RBI single, marking his fourth hit and third run batted in during the game. His performance contributed significantly to the New York Mets’ impressive 12-6 victory over the Dodgers, which ultimately set the stage for a Game 6 showdown in Los Angeles.

In a heartfelt moment relayed through an interpreter, Marte recounted the exchange: “Usually in the eighth inning, I start to throw the balls to fans because I want the kids to go home with a little memory. In the fifth inning, a fan was trying to get my attention. And in the seventh or eighth inning, I ended up throwing the ball and they gave me the necklace. In my next at-bat, I ended up getting a hit there. I kind of just kept looking at him. So I just kept it. But it was a really special moment.”

Marte, a seasoned 36-year-old who has been recognized as a two-time All-Star, boasts an impressive .409 batting average with four RBIs throughout the series and a .310 average with nine RBIs over the course of 12 postseason games.

Simeon’s father, Andrew, noted in an email that his son had been creating necklaces for friends and had been eager to gift one to Marte. “He was so excited when he took it and then put it on,” Andrew shared, highlighting the touching bond between his son and the player during this pivotal moment in the game.