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“As a Mets fan for over 50 years, I was honored to be asked to participate in Endy's special day,” Lamatina said.
Dressed in a dark blue button-down shirt and khakis, Chavez was married to Patrice Maldona at Borough Hall before celebrating at Bibi'z Restaurant and Lounge in neighboring Westwood last weekend.
The bride wore a white-lace fitted dress.
“I personally witnessed ‘The Catch,’ having attended Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series with then Emerson Police Chief (now Bergen County Sheriff) Mike Saudino," Lamatina said. "Good times.”
“The Catch” came in the top of the sixth inning at Shea Stadium in Queens in the deciding game between the Metropolitans and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.
The score was tied 1-1 when Cards third baseman Scott Rolen hit a pitch that appeared headed over the left-fiend wall for a two-run homer.
Chavez leaped and caught the ball above the 8-foot-high wall, then quickly threw it to a relay who completed an inning-ending double play at first base.
“The Catch” was named the top post-season moment for that season's This Year in Baseball Awards.
Despite Chavez’s great play, the Cardinals won the game to advance to the 2006 World Series, where they beat the Detroit Tigers.
Chavez -- who, like current Mets infielder Wilmer Flores is Venezuelan -- has been out of Major League Baseball since last year.
Besides the Mets, Chavez, 37, he has played for the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.
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