In an unexpected turn of events, the New York Mets’ spring training game against the Washington Nationals on Friday was upstaged by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Merrit Island, Florida. The launch was visible from Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, where the Mets were playing, and SNY’s cameras even captured a close shot of the rocket launch during the game.
SNY announcers were so captivated by the spectacle that they paused discussing the game to focus on the momentous occasion. This launch marked the 25th launch and landing of the year for Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX.
Although the Mets ended up losing to the Nationals 7-3, with outfielder Lane Thomas delivering an impressive performance, the game was more about the experience of witnessing a space shuttle launch during a baseball game. Adrian Houser, a new addition to the Mets, started the game but allowed four runs over five innings.
Despite the loss, the Mets now hold a 9-9 record in spring training games, but as many fans know, wins and losses in these games ultimately do not carry much weight. The added element of a space shuttle launch during the game added an extra layer of excitement and uniqueness to the day for both players and fans alike.
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