Power of Radio: Listener Reunites CNY Journalist with Precious Mets Hat

A 25-year-search for a beloved Mets hat has come to an end in the most wonderful way - all because of a kind stranger.

NOTE: In honor of the Mets being 1 win away from the playoffs, this story is being reposted. LGM!

ORIGINAL STORY: June 21, 2024

Talk about a true Feel Good Friday story.

It's been over 10 years since I officially launched my career in radio at our sister station Live 95.9 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Even though I have long left the station, an old listener recently let me know that they have always been thinking of me.

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Around the time the Mets made the World Series in 2015, I shared a pretty personal story about why I love the team so much. Talk about being on an island - the lone Mets fan in a sea of Red Sox lovers ardently rooting for the Royals because they can't stand anything New York. Meaning I really had to prove I was a true fan and wasn't chasing the team for clout.

And how did I do that? By sharing an ultra traumatic story from my childhood!

Long story short, I had a Mets hat I really loved and would wear everywhere - such as taking it to meet Barney the Dinosaur or go on pony rides... to give you an idea of how long I've had it.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Megan Stone (@meganstoneradio)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Megan Stone (@meganstoneradio)

Unfortunately, I was an easy target for bullying because I was a textbook case of ADHD. I was hyperactive, blurted things out, could not concentrate, and failed spectacularly at reading social cues.

Obviously, you know what happens next.  In 1999, my 6th grade class went on a week long sleepaway camp known as "Nature's Classroom." We dissected frogs, went on nature hikes, learned that eating Wintergreen Lifesaver Candies in the dark created sparks of light - all that good stuff.  Of course, I took my Mets hat along.

That turned out to be one of the worst decisions I ever made. My hat wound up in the hands of some bullies and, when I got it back, it couldn't be saved.

So since 1999, I have been searching for a replacement because of how much I loved that hat - but I was unsuccessful. I also would regularly shout out the Mets with photos of my hat as a not-so-subtle way of asking them to put that print back in circulation.

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2024 marked the 25th anniversary of my search and, last week, I received a message from a stranger, which shared a link and the phrase, "I think I found your hat."

Indeed it was!

This radio listener did not want to be publicly thanked for helping me, and was just happy that I finally got it back after all these years. It's amazing that in an era where people publicly record and commodify their good deeds on social media for attention or clicks - this person didn't want to partake in any of that.

So for nearly a decade, someone never forgot what I said on Live 95.9 and quietly spent the next 9 years helping a stranger because they simply wanted to.

I am forever in this stranger's debt because of what they did and they deserve to know just how much this small gesture meant to me. I lost my favorite hat out of cruelty, and was reunited with it because of kindness.

Watch the videos below to see the thank you and unboxing videos - warning, there are some SLOPPY tears.

@meganstoneradio I’ve been searching for my @New York Mets hat for 25 years and the search is finally over thanks to a radio listener who heard this story a decade ago and wanted to do something about it. ❤️ #mets #kindness #powerofradio #storytime Unboxing video: @Megan ♬ original sound - Megan

@meganstoneradio Click here for Part 1: @Megan 25 years ago my classmates destroyed my @New York Mets hat. 10 years ago, I told the story on my morning radio show. Last week, I learned a kind listener never forgot that story even though it’s been 8 years since I last broadcast on Live. Today, a tireless 25-year search has come to a satisfying end because of an extremely kind stranger. I will forever be in your debt. You have no idea what you have done for me. I never met you, but I love you with my whole heart. Thank you… LGM! #choosekindness #radio #mets #storytime #unboxing ♬ original sound - Megan

The hat they found is in mint condition, which makes it feel like I can start over and make new memories while supporting a team I hope to God makes it to the World Series and wins.

In all, a little kindness goes a long way - and never underestimate the power of radio.

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