Submitted photo Brian Deitz, left, and Oconee County High School principal Kevin Yancey wear Warrior jerseys during a Spirit Week event at the high school.

Brian Deitz has never minded sharing his love for the New York Mets.

Tim McMullen has the proof.

It’s right there in Tim’s 1989 Allegany Central School yearbook. On a page sponsored by the Village Inn and Hiram Distributors of Allegany, Brian, then a seventh-grader, wrote a “farewell” to the graduating Tim, who was and still remains a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs.

“By the way,” Brian spelled out at the end of his missive, “the Mets are awesome.”

Thirty-one years later, the Mets think Brian is pretty special, too, particularly slugger Pete Alonso, who let the world know in a touching way last week by carving out the initials “BD” in the dirt when he reached the batter’s box.

Yep, all in an effort to honor the 1994 Allegany alumnus.

“Just like when he was the little kid begging his way into our neighborhood contests, Brian was again a part of this game,” said Tim, who grew up with Brian and his older brother, Eric. “I’m still not a Mets’ fan, but I will always be a Pete Alonso fan. … Because of what he did, every time I see him bat or hear his name, I will always think of my friend and have great memories of ‘Little Deitz.'”

It’s those memories that are sustaining Tim these days. Brian is in hospice care as his six-year battle with colorectal cancer has reached Stage IV. So while the assistant principal at Oconee County (Georgia) High School continues to fight, his family and friends have embarked on the #DeitzChallenge, social media’s reminder that the best time to share a kind word with someone is RIGHT NOW.

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Tim is a behavioral and mental health counselor for adults and children throughout Western New York, but he began his professional career in 1994 as a teacher at Frewsburg Central School. One day, in the spring of 1996, his phone rang. The caller was Brian, who was then a student and a member of the soccer and track and field teams at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.

“He was excited because he had just landed an internship with the Jamestown Jammers for that summer, and was wondering if he could stay with us,” Tim said.

The answer, of course, was an immediate yes.

“Our 3-year-old daughter, Katie, thought Brian was the best thing ever,” Tim said. “He was a natural with her, always smiling and laughing, and she knew when Brian got to the house that it was play time.”

With the Jammers, Tim said, Brian made an impression, too.

“I remember our (Frewsburg) state championship baseball team being honored at the first Jammers’ game that season,” he said, “and Brian taking the time on the field to talk to and congratulate each one of our players, and making sure they enjoyed their time on the field and at the game that night.

“We spent most nights that summer watching the Olympics together. (They) were some great memories that he and I would reminisce about in the years since, and I’m glad I will always have.”

One of Tim’s favorite memories, however, had nothing to do with sports, but everything to do with being kind.

“That fall, our son, TJ, was born and had some complications with his heart that required surgery,” Tim said. “Brian sent us a card letting us know that he was thinking of us and hoping for the best for TJ. Here was a 20-year-old college junior who took time to go buy a card and write a nice note to us.

“Who does that? This certainly was a testament to his upbringing by his amazing parents, Dave and Beth.”

Now, Brian, the married father of two girls, is seeing his character-filled example affirmed in real time via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“Former teammates, coaches, players and parents have been contacting him to offer words of encouragement and hope, as well as saying ‘thank you’ for being who he is and the impact he had on their lives,” Tim said. “It’s as if the sports world Brian so enjoyed is paying him back and saying thank you to him as well.”

A huge University of Georgia football fan, Brian has received phone calls every few days the past few months from former Bulldog quarterback and 2020 Buffalo Bills draft pick Jake Fromm. Alonso and Mets’ teammate Brandon Nimmo have also called. Alonso was so touched by the extended conversation that he told Brian to pay particular attention to when he made his first plate appearance in a game last week.

That’s when he drew “BD” into the dirt with his cleats.

“As Pete Alonso, the big superstar New York City home run hitter, stepped into the batter’s box that night he wasn’t thinking about having to get a hit or about trying to hit it 400 feet, he was thinking about Brian Deitz,” Tim said.

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After graduating from Baldwin Wallace, Brian worked in the sports information departments at Marietta College, Kent State University and the University of Florida before changing his career path and ultimately becoming a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director at Oconee County High, which is located in Watkinsville, Georgia. The Warriors finished 14-1 last year and lost in the state championship game, 17-14.

“(Brian) was at a very large school,” Tim said. ” … Former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson’s son, Max, was their quarterback and (signed) with LSU. Brian was quick to talk about the character of the kids on the team and what a great group they were.”

Now, the Oconee County community is talking about Brian’s character. In fact, those who want to help support Brian can do so by sending him a message of love, courage, strength and friendship to @OCHSAPdeitz. They can also take the #DeitzChallenge by telling someone TODAY what he or she means to them and why he or she is important to them.

The game plan is simple, but the end result can be immeasurable.

“I asked (his brother) Eric what he would most want people to know about his little brother,” Tim recalled. “He said, ‘Just his passion to be around people and make everyone happy.'”