The 14 year-old New Windsor boy whose illness prompted a massive outpouring of community support passed away this morning, exactly one week before Christmas.
Jett “Macho” Diaz was a stellar baseball player. Last year, he began experiencing double vision at baseball practice. Doctors subsequently diagnosed him with a cancerous brain tumor.
Last year, Diaz’s baseball coach, Joe Voltaire, put together a 5K walk/run, called “Jog for Jett,” to show support for the difficult journey the brave young man had ahead of him. A year later, “Jog for Jett” is still fresh in the minds of many residents and some signs still remain up throughout town. The event raised over $30,000 to help offset Jett’s medical costs.
Over the July 4th weekend of 2022, the New York Mets made a championship acquisition, which was announced by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. With the help of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Mets signed Jett as a player.
Jett suited up in full Mets attire and signed a contract during a press conference at Citi Field. He then began training with his new teammates – the real New York Mets. See the video below.
“Jett’s resiliency, drive, and competitiveness make him a warrior on and off the field,” the Amazin’ Mets Foundation stated at the time.
Prior to the start of a home game at Citi Field, Jett took the field with the Mets in front of a crowd. He practiced some fielding moves before throwing out the first pitch.
In June of 2022, while battling his terminal illness, Jett played in the New York Elite Baseball Battle of the Bats. He and his team won the tournament’s championship title.
As Jett celebrated what would become his final birthday in May, his little league family sang to him at the end of the game. Sign Dreamers of Orange County erected a large sign in his front yard wishing him a happy birthday.
Throughout this year’s Little League season, the teams wore wristbands with Jett’s name to show their support. Even an opposing team from Rhode Island sported the wristbands while playing Jett and his team at the New Windsor Little League field.
Last year, the New Windsor Police Department participated in “No Shave November” to support Jett. Individual police officers donated to Jett and the Police Benevolent Association matched those donations. Collectively, police raised $4,000 to help Jett fight his illness. “The PBA is glad to help our this heroic boy,” the PBA stated at the time.
Services have not yet been announced.
