Citi Field

[Gary Dunaier]

Sparse crowd last night - granted, these shots are from towards the end of the game but still. Marlins probably felt right at home.



If you had turned a little more to the right in that shot you might have gotten me in it.. when the final out was made I was in 414, row 1, seat 6...

[johnql]

If you had turned a little more to the right in that shot you might have gotten me in it.. when the final out was made I was in 414, row 1, seat 6...

Sorry I missed the opportunity to capture a shot of you in your natural habitat.

[Jim Vaz]

Hopefully there'll be an ASG sooner than later, because I don't see a WS possible any time soon with this management

Yea without a doubt Citi needs an All Star game to gain some relevance back to this city, the Mets fans, and the nation. Right now everything is about the Yankees. Not a fun time to be a Mets fan in the NY area...:(

And like you said, with this ownership and the way they and the people below them have operated, nothing gives you much confidence that this team is getting to a world series any time soon.

[Shbmets]

Wow those shots are depressing looking.

Very upsetting that the Mets had to have such an awful season in this new park. Hopefully someday it will host some playoff baseball. With the way its configured and how tight it feels it could maybe be one of the best parks in baseball during a big playoff game IMO.

I was there last night in a luxury suite (didn't see any water damage or mold by the way). It was depressing. Reminded me of the late 70's at Shea.

A tale of two cities would be the appropriate name for this game. Watching our miserable team and listening to everyone in the suite cheering when Jeter ties the record only a few miles away. Salt in the wounds.

A lost season!:cry:

[RayNY]

I was there last night in a luxury suite (didn't see any water damage or mold by the way). It was depressing. Reminded me of the late 70's at Shea.

A tale of two cities would be the appropriate name for this game. Watching our miserable team and listening to everyone in the suite cheering when Jeter ties the record only a few miles away. Salt in the wounds.

A lost season!:cry:

Yankee fans in a Citi Field suite?

[metsfever24]

Well as much as i hate watching home games as of late and seeing an empty ballpark it does give people who normally can't afford field level seats a chance to buy them for lower prices. So i looked on stubhub and found tix for baseline box seats sec 128 row 25 for only 15 dollars. anybody have a pic of the view from that section?

[Gary Dunaier]

My photos from Wednesday night (Misch's start against the Marlins) are now up on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157622334270636/). A few samples...


First pitch of the game...




The US Open as seen from the back of the last row (sorry about the chicken wire)...




Not all of the concession stands were open...




Mr. Met points at the fans in the front row during the 7th Inning Stretch...




Anderson Hernandez bats in the bottom of the 7th inning...




Elmer Dessens to the rescue... :noidea




Derek Jeter's tying Lou Gehrig did not go unacknowledged...




And finally, the way the Mets' inaugural season has shown Citi Field to be the new home of Amazin' for the other team - you're going to need one of these...



...for all the times when you start making like :banghead: .

[mandrake]

My photos from Wednesday night (Misch's start against the Marlins) are now up on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157622334270636/). A few samples...


Mr. Met points at the fans in the front row during the 7th Inning Stretch...






GARY

Thank you for the pictures ! As I have said many times before, one needs to always do the right thing in life because Gary could be watching with his camera. (When I was a kid, it was "be good, Santa's watching"....now it's "Kid's,..Gary's watching")

I am the person taking Mr Mets picture in the front row of section 125. To the left are my sons and my mom. My dad could not make it due to some health issues at the last moment, but we still had the Happy 57th anniversary message on the RF board in the 4th inning. (and the anniversary dinner in the Acela club)

The Mets have made a few changes to section 125 row A. They have taken down the glass wall that divided the box from row 1, and you can see that there is now access to the regular field level seats, only a chain prevents people from coming and going. In the beginning of the season there was no way fans could access the concessions; one had to go under the ballpark and take an elevator to the 3rd (field) level and then try to come back to your seats without being stopped for walking through areas that were 'sealed off' to the public. It caused some headaches, so the Mets opened the section up.

The Mets have another section like this next to their dugout in 109. They did not sell tickets over there for most of the season since they did not want fans walking right past the Mets clubhouse; I spoke to the Guest Experience Manager yesterday on the phone for a long time yesterday sharing my opinions and observations and comparing the May experience sitting in the section 125 seats and this past Wednesday's experience. As many of us predicted before, the Mets have become aware that some of their prime seats set aside for DAP fans are being taken by regular fans and hopefully the Mets do not have to crack down on this. In this section that night, one fan made a complaint that he had a medical card stating he was a DAP and that everyone else in the box should not have been there. I talked to him and told him that I was originally bringing my parents(who are DAP's) and that my dad could not come but my mom, who has a fistula sticking out of her arm for dialysis, could and she could bring 3 guests. He said that he was fine with that , but everyone else seemed able bodied and were all there with baseball gloves trying to get a foul ball. I really hope folks don't ruin it !!!!

At the very last out of the game, the Marlins infielder caught a foul ball that was in the box, about 12 inches from my head. I was watching the ball and trying to watch the player. I backed away from the ball, the player caught it and then fell at the wall. I watched the replay of the game yesterday and I saw myself trying to break his fall, but he stopped just short of me. He said 'thanks, man". The people to my right, a kid and his dad demanded the foul ball and the player gave it to the kid, then said "Oh, I need that one" and took it back......and the kid's dad was screaming. WHAT A JERK. I think the player wanted the ball for the pitchher's first save or first win (???) and said "I'll give you another one". The player threw the kid a ball and instead of being grateful, the obnoxious dad said "it's a @$%& practice ball". The worst part is neither that dad nor his kid belonged in those seats..... and you know that I had to bring that up in my discussion with the Mets office. The DAP fan who had complained earlier about regular fans invading the box told the obnoxious dad "You shouldn't even be in here" to which the the idiot-dad said "F... you". (He keeps that attitude and he probably will end up disabled someday! He's the little guy with the blue hat and blue shirt in the picture and is about the same size as my mom. His mouth belongs on someone about 6'4'')

Friends....unless you are disabled or are accompanying someone who is disabled, you do not belong in those seats. Let's not ruin a good thing!!!!

[DaBigMotor]

It seems as though that "Mets 1969" has killed the grass. It looks as if it's been branded into the lawn.

And is it just me, or does the field look a bit beaten down, particularly in foul territory? The UFL gives them a good reason to resod before next season...

[peterrod16]

great photo gary

[JohnCropp]

The Mets have become aware that some of their prime seats set aside for DAP fans are being taken by regular fans...

Friends....unless you are disabled or are accompanying someone who is disabled, you do not belong in those seats. Let's not ruin a good thing!!!!

... for you!

That you have had conversations with the Mets and your suspicious neighbors about who is supposed to be sitting in those seats makes it seem more like an exclusive club rather than a place for people who are disabled to watch a ballgame like regular fans. Perhaps the Mets could open up those seats for the general public, but keep them wheelchair accessible for when necessary.

[peterrod16]

from AP via adam rubin's Blog
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/09/marlins-13-mets-4-stoner-debut.html

A streaker who disrupted a New York Mets game by jumping onto Citi Field naked except for a stuffed monkey tied around his waist is banned from the ballpark for life. Prosecutors say Craig Coakley of Queens pleaded guilty Thursday to interfering with a sporting event. He must pay a $1,000 fine and $2,000 in civil penalties to the New York Mets. He also has to complete 20 days of community service by Dec. 15. District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement that Coakley's antics cost him dearly—"perhaps the worse punishment for any true Mets fan." Coakley was banned from Citi Field for one year in connection with his criminal case but the Mets banned him for life from all their facilities including KeySpan Park in Brooklyn and Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla., according to Brown. The incident occurred on May 12. The 38-year-old plumber told police afterward that it was a bet; his boss told him he'd pay a week's salary if he did it. Coakley faced up to a year in prison. His lawyer says he's very sorry.

more weird news
Reliever Elmer Dessens told the Daily News his 2007 Range Rover was stolen from a hotel near Citi Field after he left it with the valet.

[Gary Dunaier]

I am the person taking Mr Mets picture in the front row of section 125.

Well? When are we gonna see it?


In this section that night, one fan made a complaint that he had a medical card stating he was a DAP and that everyone else in the box should not have been there.

Not all disabilities are visible.


It seems as though that "Mets 1969" has killed the grass. It looks as if it's been branded into the lawn.

It appears the "thing" these days is to allow commemorative markings to just fade away. I was surprised to find that the "All Star Game" markings in the foul areas at Yankee Stadium were still there for the games following last year's mid-summer classic.


Perhaps the Mets could open up those seats for the general public, but keep them wheelchair accessible for when necessary.

Reasonable. But when would such tickets be made available to the public? The day of the game? And what would happen if, after such tickets were legitimately sold and no more DAP seating were available, a legitimately disabled person wanted to buy a ticket?


from AP via adam rubin's Blog

Coakley was banned from Citi Field for one year in connection with his criminal case but the Mets banned him for life from all their facilities including KeySpan Park in Brooklyn and Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Does "all their facilities" include the Mets Team Stores on 42nd Street and the Roosevelt Field Mall? What about SNY Plaza (SNY being owned by the Mets)? And what about off-site events run/held/sponsored by the Mets, for example Mets At The Movies?

[mandrake]

... for you!

That you have had conversations with the Mets and your suspicious neighbors about who is supposed to be sitting in those seats makes it seem more like an exclusive club rather than a place for people who are disabled to watch a ballgame like regular fans. Perhaps the Mets could open up those seats for the general public, but keep them wheelchair accessible for when necessary.

I am not disabled at all. I will only use a DAP seat when I accompany one or both of my parents, who both are medically certified as DAP. They have DAP plates and both carry MD certification with them. (When they could travel by air, they had to show these when they set off the detectors).

If you are disabled, or are taking someone that is disabled to a game, then you are entitled to sit there too.

My conversation with the NY Mets office was not about who was actually sitting in those seats, but focused on how some Mets employees still have no idea how to get to those seats. Specifically, the lady working the elevators from the Acela club refused to let us off on the first floor and demanded we get off on the third floor because the seats said "Field level". Another employee stepped in, corrected the situation and we were escorted to the seats.

The ushers at Citi Field told me that the Mets are aware that non-DAP fans are buying these seats, probably on stubhub and they are studying different options for 2010. I wonder if one option is the 'paperless' option that people like Springsteen just started using this month for his Premium seating only; the purchaser must show up with ID at the will call window to claim the tickets. We will just have to wait and see !

The New York Yankees claim they have the "right to take action against those who obtain DAP seating by fraudulent means" whatever that means.

[SteveJRogers]

District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement that Coakley's antics cost him dearly—"perhaps the worse punishment for any true Mets fan."

Nah, that's nothing, the punishment should have been forced to WATCH the 2009 Met season, over, and over, and over again!

[koufax]

the more times I see pictures of new shea, the more I feel the ads are the thing ruining the place. they are just SO overbearing. I dont know if its just me or what, but they are just the only thing my eyes seem to concentrate on when scanning the park.

[BMF]

the more times I see pictures of new shea, the more I feel the ads are the thing ruining the place. they are just SO overbearing. I dont know if its just me or what, but they are just the only thing my eyes seem to concentrate on when scanning the park.

its not just you. I wish they were just one uniformed color and less of them. as well as none on the back of the park. it looks like a *^% mess on the highway.

[koufax]

guys, does anyone else think that if the outfield wall were blue, this park would instantly look 1,000 times better? same blue as old shea.

[koufax]

also, how about the LETS GO METS blue sign on top of the scoreboard.

I would think that is the perfect place for a sillouet of the NY skyline and Mets logo a la the neon one from Shea. It doesnt even have to light up, although it might look even better that way

am I just trying too hard to "shea" the place up a bit? I might, because I just thought to myself that on side of the huge screen in CF instead of those ridiculous ads for tractors, put the NL and AL scoreboards, one on each side

[BMF]

guys, does anyone else think that if the outfield wall were blue, this park would instantly look 1,000 times better? same blue as old shea.

its debateable.. I dont have a prob with the black and im sure I wouldnt if it was blue.

[peterrod16]

original rendering vs finished product

[JPS]

A careful reading of my comments would reveal that I merely thought it asinine that a park's playing dimensions would in any way influence one's decision to attend a game or not. Which it is. I wouldn't think anyone so obtuse as to let a park's dimensions actually PRECLUDE one from attending a game. Regardless.Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I invite you to read the following statement:

"I'm looking forward to seeing a game at Citi Field, especially after they rearrange the fences to a more normal distance and height."

Now folks, where does it say in that sentence that I would NOT attend a game if they didn't change the fences? Answer: It doesn't. Where did you read that into it, Grimthorpe? What I am saying is that it's likely they'll make some changes this winter, and I personally hope they do. I have no problem at all with old-fashioned stadium quirks. It's a home-field advantage. (I hope to see a game at Wrigley or Fenway in my lifetime). But, in my opinion, the only thing they should do at Citi Field is lower the fences in right and left to a more reasonable 8-10 feet and adjust the power alleys a bit because they are currently a home-field disadvantage. I don't even have a problem with the seats jutting out in right and left field that affect extra-base hits down the line. However, if they don't change anything I'll still be there. I never said I wouldn't attend because of that. If anything, the only reason I don't go is because I live in Texas. You don't have to agree with me, but if you still think what I said is asinine, then you have some serious work to do regarding your reading comprehension skills. That's okay though, because you have the right to misunderstand it all you want. However, I'm moving on. Case dismissed.

As for your other comments regarding Citi Field and other ballparks: Fair enough. Points well taken.

[Jim Vaz]

also, how about the LETS GO METS blue sign on top of the scoreboard.

I would think that is the perfect place for a sillouet of the NY skyline and Mets logo a la the neon one from Shea. It doesnt even have to light up, although it might look even better that way

am I just trying too hard to "shea" the place up a bit? I might, because I just thought to myself that on side of the huge screen in CF instead of those ridiculous ads for tractors, put the NL and AL scoreboards, one on each side

Well, I actually don't mind the skyline sillouette in the back area. To me personally its no big deal, I'm happy they incorperated it in some way to the new park because my first thought is it was going to be autctioned off privately only to rust away in some idiots back yard which thankfully was not the case.

As far as having the scoreboards where the adds are, I completely agree. Would have been such a nicer look.
Those adds are were silly since the very beginning.
Now seeing how the Wilpons have may have quietly lost millions in the Madoff ponzi and other financial woes, I guess we now know why those idiots have so many ads up... $$$$$$$$$

[robardin]

where the adds are, I completely agree. Would have been such a nicer look. Those adds are were silly since the very beginning.

Now seeing how the Wilpons have may have quietly lost millions in the Madoff ponzi and other financial woes, I guess we now know why those idiots have so many ads up... $$$$$$$$$

Dear Lord yes. I literally screamed WHERE'S ADBLOCK PLUS WHEN YOU NEED IT when I first saw the scoreboard ads at Citi Field, and then got a double whammy when I realized that I couldn't see the out of town scoreboard from $105-per-ticket seats on Opening Day (Section 331, Row 9) due to being too far back under the Prom level overhang, and that the same was true for ALL the seats in left field. I was so used to seeing the scoreboard in center field that I simply assumed that all seats in any ballpark could always see the out of town scoreboard.

As it is, I think next year we'll be seeing even more ads. They'll find a way. Like selling sleeve patches on the uniforms, so the players end up looking like NASCAR racers. :hp

[Gary Dunaier]

also, how about the LETS GO METS blue sign on top of the scoreboard.

I like it. It stays. :highfive:

[grimthorpe]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I invite you to read the following statement:

"I'm looking forward to seeing a game at Citi Field, especially after they rearrange the fences to a more normal distance and height."

Now folks, where does it say in that sentence that I would NOT attend a game if they didn't change the fences? Answer: It doesn't. Where did you read that into it, Grimthorpe? What I am saying is that it's likely they'll make some changes this winter, and I personally hope they do. I have no problem at all with old-fashioned stadium quirks. It's a home-field advantage. (I hope to see a game at Wrigley or Fenway in my lifetime). But, in my opinion, the only thing they should do at Citi Field is lower the fences in right and left to a more reasonable 8-10 feet and adjust the power alleys a bit because they are currently a home-field disadvantage. I don't even have a problem with the seats jutting out in right and left field that affect extra-base hits down the line. However, if they don't change anything I'll still be there. I never said I wouldn't attend because of that. If anything, the only reason I don't go is because I live in Texas. You don't have to agree with me, but if you still think what I said is asinine, then you have some serious work to do regarding your reading comprehension skills. That's okay though, because you have the right to misunderstand it all you want. However, I'm moving on. Case dismissed.

As for your other comments regarding Citi Field and other ballparks: Fair enough. Points well taken.

This will be the final word on this very minor point. You misunderstood my comment. I never interpreted your statement to mean, nor did I suggest, that you REFUSED to attend a game at Citi Field until they changed the dimensions. I realized you weren't issuing an ultimatum.

As I stated in a follow-up, I didn't think anyone so obtuse as to actually refuse to go for that reason, YOURSELF INCLUDED. I merely thought it highly unusual that a field's dimensions should play any role whatsoever in the decision process. You obviously didn't intend your comment to be controversial, as it was essentially an afterthought. I conied in on it because I'm just highly resistant to the idea that they should change this park's dimensions. It's one of the few things the Mets did right.

I've only attended two games at Citi this year. Three home runs were hit in each game. Out of those six home runs, only one was hit by a Met. That's the problem. The ballpark isn't. :)

[JPS]

This will be the final word on this very minor point. You misunderstood my comment. I never interpreted your statement to mean, nor did I suggest, that you REFUSED to attend a game at Citi Field until they changed the dimensions. I realized you weren't issuing an ultimatum.

As I stated in a follow-up, I didn't think anyone so obtuse as to actually refuse to go for that reason, YOURSELF INCLUDED. I merely thought it highly unusual that a field's dimensions should play any role whatsoever in the decision process. You obviously didn't intend your comment to be controversial, as it was essentially an afterthought. I conied in on it because I'm just highly resistant to the idea that they should change this park's dimensions. It's one of the few things the Mets did right.

I've only attended two games at Citi this year. Three home runs were hit in each game. Out of those six home runs, only one was hit by a Met. That's the problem. The ballpark isn't. :)I agree that anyone who refuses to go to a game because of the field demensions is asinine. But I am not in that category. :)

[The Korean]

I like the Citi Field but this is sad.


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/queens/mets_fans_grumble_at_ballpark_crumble_qVrE2T3Qt5f3 TfbfMz5qxH

[JeremyEye]

I like the Citi Field but this is sad.


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/queens/mets_fans_grumble_at_ballpark_crumble_qVrE2T3Qt5f3 TfbfMz5qxH

Old news, let's not cover this again, just look back a few pages.

[Gary Dunaier]

Maybe a few photos from last Saturday (9/5) will calm y'all down... I had Caesars Club Gold tickets in section 316 (two sections away from the radio booth and three from the TV booth) for that game, so I didn't do too much wandering around... that's right, I actually watched a big part of this game!


Pre-game view of the television booths...




Pre-game photo op - first base coach Luis Alicea poses with Felix Millan, Roberto Clemente, Jr. and Luis Roberto Clemente...




Painting the first base foul line...




This view of Left Field Landing section 339 dramatically shows just how close the aisle at the extreme left field end is to the scoreboard...




Kevin Burkhardt doing a remote in the bottom of the 2nd inning... note Howie Rose in the WFAN broadcast booth...




Josh Thole in the on-deck circle in the bottom of the 6th inning, awaiting his 8th major league at-bat... I just hope that guy in the Jose Reyes shirt isn't trying to get a picture of Thole's butt...



Okay, I'm sure he isn't... I just said that because I'm jealous that he's in the very front row and I'm not... I hope y'all can forgive me...


Replacing first base in between the 6th and 7th innings...




Post-game shot of the WFAN broadcast booth... note how close to the booth the fans walk, thanks to the Tensabarriers in back of the seating... the seats in front of the booth are Caesars Club Gold section 318, in case anyone wonders...




"Come See Us Play" sign at the Roosevelt Avenue entrance to the Citi Field...




Finally, my attempt to be an Artist with this Artistic view of Citi Field directional signage beneath the Citi Field sign on the third base exterior...




Link to the rest of my pix from the game: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157622296151104/).

[Rob R]

I'm sure the topic has been hashed and rehashed all across this page but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on the issue.

Number one, now I have finally confirmed for myself why I don't read the Post, the Daily News, or any of these ridiculous NY tabloids for that matter. How a story about Citi Field in September which has no relevenance on anything big happening in NY is beyond me.

Just another way to "stick it" to the Mets who in every facet have been taking it on the chin. From this lousy ass team and their injury woes to the Bernazard incident and maddoff and I can go all day its been a summer to forget. Its not like the Yankees or their press have any vendetta on us nor should they but its just more rubbing it in our faces, more salt been mashed into the wound.

You're going to tell me that nothing was sited as a problem in the new Yankee stadium? There were no kinks to work out or problems that had to be addressed? And I'm not trying to make this a aYankees vs Mets thing, but it just this whole thing just oozes of the Yankee media trying to just rub it in.


While I agree that the Post article made a mountain out of a molehill, I have to respectfully disagree with you and others believing that there's a Yankee bias in the NY media.

Firstly, what's more attractive and what sells more papers and gets more site hits, writing about a team readying to play October baseball or a team that hit rock bottom this season? Whats' "sexier" and more relevant, writing about about Francoeur/Feliciano/Murphy/Tatis or Jeter/Teixeira/Arod/CC?

When the Mets are on top, they get their fair share of press. You can't blame the media for their suckitude. Even now, The Daily News, where Mike Lupica has the run of the place, loves the Mets and despises (Lupica) the Yankees. The Post goes with the flow, but even Sherman is harsh on the Yanks, despite their nice season. The NY Times? They couldn't care less about the Mets or Yankees. They own the Boston Globe and own stake in the Red Sox and NESN (though looking to sell their interest) and continually ballwash them. Newsday? There are about 6 Yankee fans on all of Long Island, so you know they cater to the Mets, that paper's hometown team. Their writing how disastrous the Met's season is, is only reporting the facts and has nothing to do with the Yanks.

On the flipside, New Jersey (Northern and Mid) is Yankee country, so their dailies do tend to cover/favor the Yanks more.

[mandrake]

While I agree that the Post article made a mountain out of a molehill, I have to respectfully disagree with you and others believing that there's a Yankee bias in the NY media.

Firstly, what's more attractive and what sells more papers and gets more site hits, writing about a team readying to play October baseball or a team that hit rock bottom this season? Whats' "sexier" and more relevant, writing about about Francoeur/Feliciano/Murphy/Tatis or Jeter/Teixeira/Arod/CC?

When the Mets are on top, they get their fair share of press. You can't blame the media for their suckitude. Even now, The Daily News, where Mike Lupica has the run of the place, loves the Mets and despises (Lupica) the Yankees. The Post goes with the flow, but even Sherman is harsh on the Yanks, despite their nice season. The NY Times? They couldn't care less about the Mets or Yankees. They own the Boston Globe and own stake in the Red Sox and NESN (though looking to sell their interest) and continually ballwash them. Newsday? There are about 6 Yankee fans on all of Long Island, so you know they cater to the Mets, that paper's hometown team. Their writing how disastrous the Met's season is, is only reporting the facts and has nothing to do with the Yanks.

On the flipside, New Jersey (Northern and Mid) is Yankee country, so their dailies do tend to cover/favor the Yanks more.

Hey Rob

Over here in Orange County, the pecking order in our worthless daily this morning (Times Herald Record):

1)Jeter and the Yankees
2)Port Jervis beats Middletown to regain the Erie Bell (the Erie itself vanished 40 years ago??)
3)Army Football coverage for Saturday
4)Monroe-Woodbury, always one of the top HS teams in NY state
5)the lesser HS games..i.e Warwick pounded Goshen 42-0. Thank God the game was called in the 3rd qtr due to a brawl.
6)The Mets.
7)Rain at the US open

Actually, today the Mets got half a page. During the week, the Mets coverage was 4 inches by 4 inches !(not including the box score).

On Sundays, we have a Lupica wannabe that always blasts the Mets. This guy in the local paper has lifted Lupica's column style. I wish Lupica would tell him to get his own writing style.:banghead:

Since it is so much easier to get to YS than Citi Field from here, including the new Metro North station, no wonder nearly everyone up here is a Yankees fan!

[Rob R]

Hey Rob

Over here in Orange County, the pecking order in our worthless daily this morning (Times Herald Record):

1)Jeter and the Yankees
2)Port Jervis beats Middletown to regain the Erie Bell (the Erie itself vanished 40 years ago??)
3)Army Football coverage for Saturday
4)Monroe-Woodbury, always one of the top HS teams in NY state
5)the lesser HS games..i.e Warwick pounded Goshen 42-0. Thank God the game was called in the 3rd qtr due to a brawl.
6)The Mets.
7)Rain at the US open

Actually, today the Mets got half a page. During the week, the Mets coverage was 4 inches by 4 inches !(not including the box score).

On Sundays, we have a Lupica wannabe that always blasts the Mets. This guy in the local paper has lifted Lupica's column style. I wish Lupica would tell him to get his own writing style.:banghead:

Since it is so much easier to get to YS than Citi Field from here, including the new Metro North station, no wonder nearly everyone up here is a Yankees fan!

:laugh I just took a look at their website, and you're not far off!

I'm guessing that the Lupica wannabe is Kevin Gleason? He's blatantly ripping off Lupica's style, only Lupica is a Met lover/apologist and Lupica has more talent. In this column, he rips the Mets , Citi Field's sightline from out in LF and tries to be humorous/witty throughout.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090906/SPORTS/909060351/-1/SPORTS0303

[trucky941]

Hey guys its been a long time since i have posted. Anyways i was just in Arizona to watch the Mets last month. When i was at their ball park they had a TGIFridays in the ball park that you can eat and watch the game from. its also open all year round. Are the Mets planning on putting a place like that sorta like how the yankees have the Hard Rock at their place?
anyone hear anything?

[nymdan]

Hey guys its been a long time since i have posted. Anyways i was just in Arizona to watch the Mets last month. When i was at their ball park they had a TGIFridays in the ball park that you can eat and watch the game from. its also open all year round. Are the Mets planning on putting a place like that sorta like how the yankees have the Hard Rock at their place?
anyone hear anything?
The Mets have a lot of unused retail space along 126th Street. I can see them putting something out there when the Willets Point project is done and there are people there during the offseason. Until then, though, it's not worth it. It would probably lose money. I think I remember Wilpon saying something to that effect, too.

[trucky941]

The Mets have a lot of unused retail space along 126th Street. I can see them putting something out there when the Willets Point project is done and there are people there during the offseason. Until then, though, it's not worth it. It would probably lose money. I think I remember Wilpon saying something to that effect, too.

yeah i think that would be great to have there.. i work at the airport and i would definitly go there after work somenights.. i guess its going to be a long time until then. i dont see them clearing that area out for awhile at this point.

[cringey]

The Mets have a lot of unused retail space along 126th Street. I can see them putting something out there when the Willets Point project is done and there are people there during the offseason. Until then, though, it's not worth it. It would probably lose money. I think I remember Wilpon saying something to that effect, too.

I think what people were saying was an Outback will be in thats space.
I think a Fridays with Mets memorabilia instead of Fridays typical Americana decorations would be a nicer idea.

[mets16]

I think what people were saying was an Outback will be in thats space.
I think a Fridays with Mets memorabilia instead of Fridays typical Americana decorations would be a nicer idea.

I heard Buffalo Wild Wings thrown around too. Why cant the Mets attempt to make their own restaurant? The Red Wings in Detroit have the HockeyTown Cafe. Maybe the Mets can make a place called Amazin' Cafe or something, and have memorabilia from different eras and it would have been cool if they could implement somethings from Shea, if they still exist.

[BMF]

I heard Buffalo Wild Wings thrown around too. Why cant the Mets attempt to make their own restaurant? The Red Wings in Detroit have the HockeyTown Cafe. Maybe the Mets can make a place called Amazin' Cafe or something, and have memorabilia from different eras and it would have been cool if they could implement somethings from Shea, if they still exist.

im keeping my fingers crossed. BWW is awesome.

[BMF]

Maybe the Mets can make a place called Amazin' Cafe or something, and have memorabilia from different eras and it would have been cool if they could implement somethings from Shea, if they still exist.

how about Payson corner, or Seavers grille or the Wilpons watering hole

[mets16]

how Payson corner, or Seavers grille or the Wilpons watering hole

I like Seaver's Grille. But we all know we need a new owner for this to happen.

[BMF]

I like Seaver's Grille. But we all know we need a new owner for this to happen.

as long as its not the dolans. we've seen what they've done for new york so far

[mets16]

as long as its not the dolans. we've seen what they've done for new york so far

How about all of us BBF Mets fans gather up our life savings and buy them :rofl: We would know what the fans want

[Rob R]

........................

[Gary Dunaier]

I heard Buffalo Wild Wings thrown around too. Why cant the Mets attempt to make their own restaurant? The Red Wings in Detroit have the HockeyTown Cafe. Maybe the Mets can make a place called Amazin' Cafe or something, and have memorabilia from different eras and it would have been cool if they could implement somethings from Shea, if they still exist.

I say the Mets should give the Express Deli first dibs on any foodservice space. :highfive:

[Gary Dunaier]

I was noodling around the Mets website and found that the Mets offer some interesting spaces (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp) for non-baseball events at the Citi Field.

Considering that many of us feel the Promenade Club (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp?content=promenadeclub) is a useless waste of space, here's how the Mets are presenting it as an event location...


The Promenade Club is an intimate club offering Casual Bistro dining and cocktails, high top tables, and a full bar and kitchen. This space encourages mingling amongst guests and is perfect for casual gatherings.

* Behind-the-plate views of the playing field
* Climate-controlled
* Modern lounge atmosphere

Size: 2,500 square feet

Capacity: 250

Ideal Setting For: Corporate meetings, cocktail receptions, and social gatherings

I found it interesting that the Batting Cages (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp?content=battingcages) are available...


The Citi Field Batting Cages provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 25 lucky baseball fans! Your guests will get to go behind-the-scenes and each take 15 swings in an actual indoor Major League batting cage.

* Climate-controlled
* Includes a professional batting practice pitcher and equipment

Size: 1,800 square feet

Capacity: 25

Ideal for: Small parties, team-building events, employee rewards, and client entertaining

I was mostly in cynical mode as I browsed through their offerings... until I came across this:


Give your guests the experience of a lifetime and host your next large-scale event on the Citi Field Warning Track. The Warning Track provides a unique opportunity for guests to dine where the Mets actually play. This area is large enough to host a sit-down dinner and set-up baseball-themed games and activities. It is sure to be a day filled with unforgettable memories.

* Outdoor space
* Guests can pose for pictures on the outfield wall and sit in the dugouts

Size: 25,000 square feet

Capacity: 1,000+

Ideal for: Galas, corporate dinners, parties, and company picnics

Yes, that's the actual warning track (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp?content=warningtrack) we're talking about here.



This... is... just... totally awesome and way cool!

It's also not cheap... I'm pretty sure of that... but I'll tell you this: if I could afford it - which I can't - and the Mets were willing - which they may be these days (I don't know about during "normal" economic times) - I would rent out the space myself... and the "event" would be me, just me, walking around the warning track and taking pictures for two to three hours or however long these events are.

Hey, a guy can always dream, right? :cap:

[kingcohn]

what are those trailers in the shot near the train yard. are those the t.v. trailers for tennis.




Took this picture from the 7 train station a few days ago (sorry for the poor quality)

[Perseus71]

I was noodling around the Mets website and found that the Mets offer some interesting spaces (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp) for non-baseball events at the Citi Field.

Considering that many of us feel the Promenade Club (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp?content=promenadeclub) is a useless waste of space, here's how the Mets are presenting it as an event location...


The Promenade Club is an intimate club offering Casual Bistro dining and cocktails, high top tables, and a full bar and kitchen. This space encourages mingling amongst guests and is perfect for casual gatherings.

* Behind-the-plate views of the playing field
* Climate-controlled
* Modern lounge atmosphere

Size: 2,500 square feet

Capacity: 250

Ideal Setting For: Corporate meetings, cocktail receptions, and social gatherings

I found it interesting that the Batting Cages (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp?content=battingcages) are available...


The Citi Field Batting Cages provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 25 lucky baseball fans! Your guests will get to go behind-the-scenes and each take 15 swings in an actual indoor Major League batting cage.

* Climate-controlled
* Includes a professional batting practice pitcher and equipment

Size: 1,800 square feet

Capacity: 25

Ideal for: Small parties, team-building events, employee rewards, and client entertaining

I was mostly in cynical mode as I browsed through their offerings... until I came across this:


Give your guests the experience of a lifetime and host your next large-scale event on the Citi Field Warning Track. The Warning Track provides a unique opportunity for guests to dine where the Mets actually play. This area is large enough to host a sit-down dinner and set-up baseball-themed games and activities. It is sure to be a day filled with unforgettable memories.

* Outdoor space
* Guests can pose for pictures on the outfield wall and sit in the dugouts

Size: 25,000 square feet

Capacity: 1,000+

Ideal for: Galas, corporate dinners, parties, and company picnics

Yes, that's the actual warning track (http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/events/eventspaces.jsp?content=warningtrack) we're talking about here.



This... is... just... totally awesome and way cool!

It's also not cheap... I'm pretty sure of that... but I'll tell you this: if I could afford it - which I can't - and the Mets were willing - which they may be these days (I don't know about during "normal" economic times) - I would rent out the space myself... and the "event" would be me, just me, walking around the warning track and taking pictures for two to three hours or however long these events are.

Hey, a guy can always dream, right? :cap:

My friend's nephew had the first Bar Mitzvah ever at Citi Field this past Saturday! The whole food court area behind the scoreboard was turned into a buffet area with FanFest activities.

[Onemoredayatshea27]

I went on Sportslogos.net and looked up the Mets uniforms. They list their home uniform as being from 2000-2009. So if they are wearing new uniforms in Citi Field in 2010 what changes will be made besides the removal of the Inaugural season patch?

[cringey]

I went on Sportslogos.net and looked up the Mets uniforms. They list their home uniform as being from 2000-2009. So if they are wearing new uniforms in Citi Field in 2010 what changes will be made besides the removal of the Inaugural season patch?

Unless they say like 2000-Current for other teams then I would'nt put much stock in that since its nowhere near 2010 yet.

[Anubis2051]

I went on Sportslogos.net and looked up the Mets uniforms. They list their home uniform as being from 2000-2009. So if they are wearing new uniforms in Citi Field in 2010 what changes will be made besides the removal of the Inaugural season patch?

No More Black! *Fingers Crossed*

[Jim Vaz]

No More Black! *Fingers Crossed*

Nothing will please me more then if they finally remove ALL black from their uniforms!

Maybe someone in the Mets merchandising or PR department has finally realized that 1998 was 11 years and nobody cares thats its black or not, and that the only thing that really moves sporting merchandise is "winning", especially Mets stuff that is grossly outsold by Yankees merchanside in NY and around the country.

Doubt its happening but its nice to dream.

[BMF]

No More Black! *Fingers Crossed*

I don't have a problem with the black uni's if the wall is black.

[Astros]

Nothing will please me more then if they finally remove ALL black from their uniforms!


No More Black! *Fingers Crossed*

Hmmm...I willing to bet they keep black.


I went on Sportslogos.net and looked up the Mets uniforms. They list their home uniform as being from 2000-2009. So if they are wearing new uniforms in Citi Field in 2010 what changes will be made besides the removal of the Inaugural season patch?

I do not think the uniform would change a ton, but perhaps they'd tweak a couple of things. ;) That is my two cents.

[mets16]

How about a cream color with pinstripes? It is a hell of alot better than the 90's black. Those are disgusting.

[Astros]

How about a cream color with pinstripes? It is a hell of alot better than the 90's black. Those are disgusting.

A cream color probably wouldn't look quite right unless it was made of flannel, which is not going to happen - at least not from a permanent point of view.

That said, there are ways to make those home pinstripes look a little more traditional in the Mets sense of the world. That could come to fruition.

[mets16]

A cream color probably wouldn't look quite right unless it was made of flannel, which is not going to happen - at least not from a permanent point of view.

That said, there are ways to make those home pinstripes look a little more traditional in the Mets sense of the world. That could come to fruition.

The Giants home uni's don't look terrible. If they just wore the home pinstripes and road grays, that would be fine.

[Astros]

The Giants home uni's don't look terrible. If they just wore the home pinstripes and road grays, that would be fine.

I agree, but they work with black and that seems to balance it out. I'm not sure the Mets blue would be something that would look as great, but maybe??? Speaking of the Giants...I think they'll have a uni change of some sort next year.

[grimthorpe]

Mirabile dictu, visiting teams have hit about a dozen more home runs at Citi Field this year than they have at Coors Field. No, that's not a typo. Imagine, Citi Field being more homer friendly homer than Coors, humidor or not.

[Shea1012]

Mirabile dictu, visiting teams have hit about a dozen more home runs at Citi Field this year than they have at Coors Field. No, that's not a typo. Imagine, Citi Field being more homer friendly homer than Coors, humidor or not.

Where did you find this stat?

[the_Bored]

Where did you find this stat?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?t=p&team=NYM&year=2009
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?t=p&team=COL&year=2009

Note the home and away splits. Also note that the Rockies have also allowed fewer HRs on the road than the Mets have; it's a bit misleading.

[nymdan]

Mirabile dictu, visiting teams have hit about a dozen more home runs at Citi Field this year than they have at Coors Field. No, that's not a typo. Imagine, Citi Field being more homer friendly homer than Coors, humidor or not.
Colorado has a good team. The Mets do not.

[CHiller]

Looks to me (viewing it on SNY) that the Mets added a division standings section to the out of town scoreboard- That new section they added to the left of the original part. Looks like if rotates through the various divisions.

[peterrod16]

Looks to me (viewing it on SNY) that the Mets added a division standings section to the out of town scoreboard- That new section they added to the left of the original part. Looks like if rotates through the various divisions.

Yeah i saw the standings.
Hopefully next year the mets can put a electric board to the left and right of the centerfield scoreboard for the lineup list.
it would bring a memory of shea to citi field.
love the helmet give away tonight and im surprise about the decent crowd tonight

[Greg B.]

Yeah i saw the standings.
love the helmet give away tonight and im surprise about the decent crowd tonight

Amazing what an oversized ice cream cup can do... :)

[Mister B.]

Looks to me (viewing it on SNY) that the Mets added a division standings section to the out of town scoreboard- That new section they added to the left of the original part. Looks like if rotates through the various divisions.

I was there. It was leaving off some of the team names at the top of the standings so after a few innings they gave up on it, and it went dark for the rest of the game.

Nice addition, though.

[Mary Ellen]

Amazing what an oversized ice cream cup can do... :)

Speaking of cups. Whatever happened to the big DD cup from Shea?

[Rob R]

Deleted. Was too easy and too crude. :laugh

[Strawman]

Speaking of cups. Whatever happened to the big DD cup from Shea?

She didn't renew her plan....

[tomzpc]

She didn't renew her plan....

:rofl:...one of the funniest replies that I've seen on here.

[BuddyJas]

What changes do you want to see at Citi next year? Here’s my list:

1. Redesign the bullpens so the fans have access to both-----like Citizens Bank Park. If visiting teams can tolerate Philly fans they should have no problems with us
2. Shorten the guy wires holding up the backstop net that run all the way to the outfield. Why can’t they be attached to a deck near home plate? From where I sit, it looks like a second foul line.
3. Get rid of the Promenade restaurant and turn it into a Met museum. Do we really need a caste system in the upper deck? For finger food?
4. Make Shake Shack sites available on every level. I refuse to wait in line and miss 2 –3 innings of a game
5. Allow equal access to the parking lot. First-come, first-served. I am paying good money for a ticket plan and feel like a second-class citizen having to park a few hundred yards away ----only to walk across vacant lots 2 hours prior to the game.

I am sure I have left some out but it’s a start.

[nymdan]

1. Redesign the bullpens so the fans have access to both-----like Citizens Bank Park. If visiting teams can tolerate Philly fans they should have no problems with us
How?

I'm all for changing the bullpen configuration, but it would be hard to do without changing dimensions, which I don't think will be happening before next season.

[li7039]

How?

I'm all for changing the bullpen configuration, but it would be hard to do without changing dimensions, which I don't think will be happening before next season.

do something like Houston and make it indoors along the left field wall.

[tugger]

She didn't renew her plan....



Batter up!

[BuddyJas]

How?

I'm all for changing the bullpen configuration, but it would be hard to do without changing dimensions, which I don't think will be happening before next season.

I don't want them changing the dimensions but there has to be some change to that abomination they have now. It's pretty bad when the visiting teams are lodging protests to the Commissioner's office. If it means moving the bridge then so be it.

[mets16]

How?

I'm all for changing the bullpen configuration, but it would be hard to do without changing dimensions, which I don't think will be happening before next season.

My idea is highly unlikely, but I would be happy for it to happen. First bridge the gap where the Modells corner is by putting a wall in front of it. The Visitor bullpen can go in the area where the old warning track/RF was. Then after the visitor's bullpen leaves, enable fans to walk up to the Mets bullpen and watch from the area the Visitor's was. Then the fans in the Modell's area would be able to watch the visitors warming up. It fixes that silly, and somewhat stupid RF corner, which is a very pathetic attempt to make a feature that really doesn't belong.

I will attempt, keyword is attempt a Photoshop job to somewhat get my point across, but I think you get an idea from the description.

Edit.. Ok this is what I meant, as you can see the wall extends through the RF nook, which will lure more right fielders to the mets, because this current setup will be something some players will use to change their mind. Second, either the Mets can move to this area or stay where they're at now.

I know the picture is huge, but it's like that so you can see the area. The Modell's ad would also be removed and have a new board put in, it can be a 'K' board, like at Shea, or it ca display game info, like in St. Louis.

[Mary Ellen]

She didn't renew her plan....

That was very funny:laugh

[nymdan]

My idea is highly unlikely, but I would be happy for it to happen.
They're not going to spend money changing the bullpens and then end up losing money by covering up the view of the field from the Mo's Zone. I can see them getting rid of the nook eventually, but the party area there isn't going anywhere.

[tomzpc]

My idea is highly unlikely, but I would be happy for it to happen. First bridge the gap where the Modells corner is by putting a wall in front of it. The Visitor bullpen can go in the area where the old warning track/RF was. Then after the visitor's bullpen leaves, enable fans to walk up to the Mets bullpen and watch from the area the Visitor's was. Then the fans in the Modell's area would be able to watch the visitors warming up. It fixes that silly, and somewhat stupid RF corner, which is a very pathetic attempt to make a feature that really doesn't belong.

I will attempt, keyword is attempt a Photoshop job to somewhat get my point across, but I think you get an idea from the description.
.

Never happen. Nice effort though. :)

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

My idea is highly unlikely, but I would be happy for it to happen. First bridge the gap where the Modells corner is by putting a wall in front of it. The Visitor bullpen can go in the area where the old warning track/RF was. Then after the visitor's bullpen leaves, enable fans to walk up to the Mets bullpen and watch from the area the Visitor's was. Then the fans in the Modell's area would be able to watch the visitors warming up. It fixes that silly, and somewhat stupid RF corner, which is a very pathetic attempt to make a feature that really doesn't belong.

I will attempt, keyword is attempt a Photoshop job to somewhat get my point across, but I think you get an idea from the description.

Edit.. Ok this is what I meant, as you can see the wall extends through the RF nook, which will lure more right fielders to the mets, because this current setup will be something some players will use to change their mind. Second, either the Mets can move to this area or stay where they're at now.

I know the picture is huge, but it's like that so you can see the area. The Modell's ad would also be removed and have a new board put in, it can be a 'K' board, like at Shea, or it ca display game info, like in St. Louis.

That adjustment might bring us back to Shea - a little! ;)

[Gary Dunaier]

The biggest change I can think of right now is that I'd like to see an escalator added in the left field stands to make it easier to go from the "Taste Of The City" area to the Promenade seats. Right now the escalator out there only goes to the Excelsior level, and to get from Excelsior to Promenade you have to either walk or wait for an elevator.

Either add an escalator or create some kind of passageway through or behind the Acela Club to the existing escalator in the left field corner.

[BMF]

These are all interesting. I'd go with the mo/zone nook eliminated and turned into the visitors bullpen

[RayNY]

Another idea, one that wouldn't impede the MoZone area, would be to have the bullpens vertical instead of horizontal.

For instance, if you're looking at the bullpen area from 2nd base, instead of the bullpens going east to west, they are going north to south, with both of them having an equal view of the field and equal lighting (that is the reason for the hideous tarps covering the home bullpen), and both still next to each other. I think there is enough space underneath the bridge in that area to accommodate that.

You guys know what I mean?

[BuddyJas]

Another idea, one that wouldn't impede the MoZone area, would be to have the bullpens vertical instead of horizontal.

For instance, if you're looking at the bullpen area from 2nd base, instead of the bullpens going east to west, they are going north to south, with both of them having an equal view of the field and equal lighting (that is the reason for the hideous tarps covering the home bullpen), and both still next to each other. I think there is enough space underneath the bridge in that area to accommodate that.

You guys know what I mean?

As long as we can see who is warming up, that's fine by me. I thought the tarps were there for discouraging fans from talking to the players.

[fwb]

Went to the last game of my Sunday plan today. Been to the park plenty. Always looking for something new. I see they have completed a room down the right field line - blue brick and glass. Not sure what it is, paper on windows. I believe it's next to the shop that sells 'old style' shirts, caps etc, forgot name (old 47?). Not sure what it will be, not that big. Of course, there is still those two huge areas that are not developed along 126th street as well. I did notice one new addition though - the light poles outside the rotunda, leading to the subway stairs - has met player pennants on them, like the building itself. Saw Tim Tuefel, Sid Fernandez, Yogi etc. Nice touch to match the other pennants. Sure they will always add more.

[JP1968]

Went to the last game of my Sunday plan today. Been to the park plenty. Always looking for something new. I see they have completed a room down the right field line - blue brick and glass. Not sure what it is, paper on windows. I believe it's next to the shop that sells 'old style' shirts, caps etc, forgot name (old 47?). Not sure what it will be, not that big. Of course, there is still those two huge areas that are not developed along 126th street as well. I did notice one new addition though - the light poles outside the rotunda, leading to the subway stairs - has met player pennants on them, like the building itself. Saw Tim Tuefel, Sid Fernandez, Yogi etc. Nice touch to match the other pennants. Sure they will always add more.
I also noticed the divisional and wild card standings posted in that "extra space" on the out-of-town scoreboard (to the left of the scores). This feature has been on/off for the last few games I've been at; but I don't recall seeing a post here (my apologies if it was already stated).

[mets16]

I also noticed the divisional and wild card standings posted in that "extra space" on the out-of-town scoreboard (to the left of the scores). This feature has been on/off for the last few games I've been at; but I don't recall seeing a post here (my apologies if it was already stated).

It was first a blank space, then it was an MLB Network ad, then a display was added to it.

[Petemc1969]

Does anyone have photos of the interior of the Ebbets Club Lounge area?

[RayNY]

I thought the tarps were there for discouraging fans from talking to the players.

That's what I thought too at first, but then I noticed that no other ballpark has tarp over their bullpens even though their bullpens are just as close to the fans as the one at Citi Field.

I think part of the formal complaint that Heath Bell and the Padres issued was the fact that the visitors bullpen is basically in a dark cave underneath the bridge with poor lighting while the Mets bullpen is out in the open and has good natural lighting. I think the rule is that the condition of both bullpens must be equal. And that's why the god awful circus tent is covering the Mets bullpen.

[nymdan]

Does anyone have photos of the interior of the Ebbets Club Lounge area?
Here's a poor quality phone pic I took, but it should give you the idea. It's as small as it looks.

[yankies4life]

Does anyone have photos of the interior of the Ebbets Club Lounge area?

i took these during the St. Johns game so Im not sure if anything has changed since

[mandrake]

i took these during the St. Johns game so Im not sure if anything has changed since







Isn't this the Caesar's club, not the Ebbets Club ?

[RayNY]

Isn't this the Caesar's club, not the Ebbets Club ?

Yep, that's Caesar's Club.

[yankies4life]

Isn't this the Caesar's club, not the Ebbets Club ?

oh whoops, shows im a yankee fan. i thought that it was the ebbets club, sorry

[SparkyL]

That's what I thought too at first, but then I noticed that no other ballpark has tarp over their bullpens even though their bullpens are just as close to the fans as the one at Citi Field.

I think part of the formal complaint that Heath Bell and the Padres issued was the fact that the visitors bullpen is basically in a dark cave underneath the bridge with poor lighting while the Mets bullpen is out in the open and has good natural lighting. I think the rule is that the condition of both bullpens must be equal. And that's why the god awful circus tent is covering the Mets bullpen.

Assuming you are right - HOK and the Mets didn't know this ahead of time????

Then add a platform over the Mets bullpen and turn it into a party deck.

[Gary Dunaier]

Aerial view from a plane...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user M + A on 9/20/09; described as having been taken September 19, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/khim/3938972706/).)


A view from within the Iron Triangle...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user kowarski on 9/19/09; described as having been taken September 19, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kowarski/3934693885/).)


A pair of photos showing that the two ads surrounding the mini-scoreboard overlooking "Taste Of The City" have changed... unfortunately, this means the video game ad with Shea Stadium in the background is gone...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user mbell1975 on 9/12/09; described as having been taken September 5, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbell1975/3913863134/).)


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user DBS3$ on 9/19/09; described as having been taken September 18, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/braxtonsplaun/3934588646/).)


Pre-game view with the groundskeeper's window in left center exposed (note the piece of the Puerto Rico ad sitting on the field)...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user Nicholas Rinaldi on 9/15/09; described as having been taken June 28, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholasrinaldi/3922740212/).)


A couple of views of Citi Field as seen from the Arthur Ashe tennis stadium...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user joshbg2k on 9/14/09; described as having been taken September 13, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45006005@N00/3917867259/).)


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user admedina on 9/16/09; described as having been taken September 13, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/admedina/3927621836/).)


Finally, a look at the standings board next to the out-of-town scoreboard...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user metsgrrl.com on 9/18/09; described as having been taken September 18, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (metsgrrl.com).)

[BMF]

Aerial view from a plane...


Finally, a look at the standings board next to the out-of-town scoreboard...


(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user metsgrrl.com on 9/18/09; described as having been taken September 18, 2009. Link to original Flickr.com upload: here (metsgrrl.com).)

havnt been in a while. when did that standings board go up?

[Gary Dunaier]

Found this in yesterday's Mets Game Notes (the information given to the media prior to the game)...


METS MERCHANDISE DISCOUNT: Tonight all fans in attendance will receive a 30% discount off Mets merchandise at Citi Field…The discount is available at all Citi Field retail stores and shops and will be honored on all merchandise excluding sale items, publications and vended souvenirs.

The Mets Game Notes for tonight's game haven't been released yet (that's why I was looking at yesterday's notes)... wonder if the discount will continue throughout the rest of the season, or if it was just a one-night-only deal... interesting that it basically negates the 10% discount (on purchases over $100) offered to Club Mets members, since this is 30% off for all, no minimum purchase required.

I'm going to tonight's game, so that's why I'm hoping the discount continues... it would suck if the only benefit I got from tonight was the tiny "Los" added to the uniforms (it's Hispanic Heritage Night) that I can't even see from all the way up in the Promenade level...

[SteveJRogers]

havnt been in a while. when did that standings board go up?

It was up the homstand prior, but had some bugs in it, this is the first time its been operational.

[Anubis2051]

It was up the homstand prior, but had some bugs in it, this is the first time its been operational.

Picture is unavailable, does anyone have another shot of it?

[AJbaseball00024]

I have a quick Citi Field question:

I want to visit the Mets team store at the stadium (I did not during my Citi visit). Do they sell Mets Flags, Pennants and banners there? Thanks!

[mets16]

I have a quick Citi Field question:

I want to visit the Mets team store at the stadium (I did not during my Citi visit). Do they sell Mets Flags, Pennants and banners there? Thanks!

Yes, they sell about everything they can fit a Mets logo on it. I know the card store in the park sells some nice retro-ish pennants. I have seen car flags, and flags to hang outside a house. Not quite up my alley per se, but they sure are there. I'm not sure about the banner thing, but I'm pretty sure I have seen a banner with a 1969 and 1986 on it.

I'm sure Gary has some pictures of it, I would, but I don't waste time getting out of the park after the game.

[Gary Dunaier]

A few observations from yesterday:

The standings board next to the out-of-town scoreboard was fully operational last night. It rotated between NL East, NL Central, NL West, and NL Wild Card then doing the same for the American League. The Wild Card standings is a nice touch, but it appeared to me that the letters and numbers were too small to really do anyone any good. I looked at it from the last row of the Promenade level, directly across the stadium, where I was on eye level with it and even there it was tough to read.

Elevators now have Mets logos on the doors. Some have the round Mets skyline logo, some have the interlocking NY.

"Meet Mr. Met" area in the Fan Fest - there was a sign saying he would be there at 5.20pm and 6.20pm. In the past the sign didn't specify times, but from my limited experience it seemed that he made an appearance early on in the game, I think it was the bottom of the 1st inning or so. I've got to tell you this - Mr. Met walked to the area really fast, almost sprinting to the meet-and-greet platform on the other side of the wiffle ball field. Whoever the guy is in the costume is, he must have been portraying Mr. Met for a while because I wouldn't think he could move so fast in that suit.

Yes, I got my picture taken with him... again... :highfive:

[SteveJRogers]

BTW, update on the empty space next to the 47 store on the Field level, not going to go all the way back to find a picture of it, but there was speculation about it since it was noticed during the summer.

It is to be some sort of pre-natal care facility for expectant mothers who are at the game. It is to be provided by Long Island Jewish Hospital.

[JohnCropp]

It is to be some sort of pre-natal care facility for expectant mothers who are at the game. It is to be provided by Long Island Jewish Hospital.

That is a demographic that is under-appreciated by most MLB teams.

With all that our local rivals have loaded into their stadium, to my knowledge, there is not a pre-natal care facility in their park...

I guess they spent so much time worrying about HOW TO CELEBRATE THE HOME TEAM'S HISTORY that they forgot about the FETUSES.

[RayNY]

BTW, update on the empty space next to the 47 store on the Field level, not going to go all the way back to find a picture of it, but there was speculation about it since it was noticed during the summer.

It is to be some sort of pre-natal care facility for expectant mothers who are at the game. It is to be provided by Long Island Jewish Hospital.

Is this normal? It just seems a little ridiculous to me. But doesn't seem to surprise me at the same time either.

[mets16]

Is this normal? It just seems a little ridiculous to me. But doesn't seem to surprise me at the same time either.

The Verizon FiOS thing is very dumb too. I snuck in to get a peek and there were people sitting watching the game on T.V. Why would you come to a baseball game to sit on a couch and watch a game? And I guess the Mets saw plenty of complaints from expectant mothers who came to Citi Field, and left without a few pointers on breastfeeding.

[Gary Dunaier]

The Verizon FiOS thing is very dumb too.

Do they expect me to believe the Verizon FIOS guy and the cable guy...

a) live in the same building?
b) always wear their uniforms, even when they're off duty?

Hoo boy. :banghead:

[nymdan]

b) always wear their uniforms, even when they're off duty?
The Toyota dealer who sells to Mark Sanchez and Eli Manning does...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK-wB4NwT-g

[BMF]

The Verizon FiOS thing is very dumb too. I snuck in to get a peek and there were people sitting watching the game on T.V. Why would you come to a baseball game to sit on a couch and watch a game? And I guess the Mets saw plenty of complaints from expectant mothers who came to Citi Field, and left without a few pointers on breastfeeding.

That's just awful I can't condone that.....











No I'm kidding that's hilarious

[yankies4life]

im a yankee fan and well aware that the security at yankee stadium is crazy, but i was at the mets game last night and as soon as i stepped off the elevator to go to my seats in the excelsior level, a guard/usher/whatever bombarded me asking to see my ticket, along with everyone else who stepped off. fine, he saw it. as i get to my section, that guard wanted to see my ticket. then i went to visit a friend of mine in the pepsi porch and even there, i could not get into those seats without a ticket. i find it amazing how poorly the mets are and how empty that stadium was that the guards are still so strict. they should be happy fans are showing up, let alone sitting in their correct seats.

[Dishy24]

im a yankee fan and well aware that the security at yankee stadium is crazy, but i was at the mets game last night and as soon as i stepped off the elevator to go to my seats in the excelsior level, a guard/usher/whatever bombarded me asking to see my ticket, along with everyone else who stepped off. fine, he saw it. as i get to my section, that guard wanted to see my ticket. then i went to visit a friend of mine in the pepsi porch and even there, i could not get into those seats without a ticket. i find it amazing how poorly the mets are and how empty that stadium was that the guards are still so strict. they should be happy fans are showing up, let alone sitting in their correct seats.

Then there is my kid who gets all 6 of us into the Delta Club every Sunday because he "knows the ladies"... guess it pays to be an adorable 9 year old! :shhh:

[BMF]

Then there is my kid who gets all 6 of us into the Delta Club every Sunday because he "knows the ladies"... guess it pays to be an adorable 9 year old! :shhh:

hes cool with me

[cgcoyne2]

Hey real quick. I went to Citifield and loved it. It's very nice. I walked around and got tons of photos. I was stopped at the "gateway" to the 300 level though. My question is this. Can you go to the Pepsi Porch without tickets for the Pepsi Porch? Thanks guys.

[Gary Dunaier]

Hey real quick. I went to Citifield and loved it. It's very nice. I walked around and got tons of photos. I was stopped at the "gateway" to the 300 level though. My question is this. Can you go to the Pepsi Porch without tickets for the Pepsi Porch? Thanks guys.

Yes, you can.

[Gary Dunaier]

Tuesday night was Hispanic Heritage night, so fans arriving at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda were serenaded by a Mariachi band...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949505668/in/set-72157622318318725).)


The "Teammates" ads in left and right field were replaced by "Victorinox Swiss Army" ads...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3948728943/in/set-72157622318318725).)


Unusual angle of the action in the "Mr. Met's Kiddie Field" wiffle ball field, looking from behind the right field fence with the Flushing skyline in the background...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949509730/in/set-72157622318318725).)


Mr. Met signs a baseball for a young fan. In case you've ever wondered what his autograph looks like, you can see it on the ball in this shot...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3948739627/in/set-72157622318318725).)


The National League East standings as displayed next to the out-of-town scoreboard...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3948742263/in/set-72157622318318725).)


Obstructed view from Promenade Reserved Infield 509, row 5, seat 3 - this was a "Bronze" game, so the ticket price was "only" $20...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3948743261/in/set-72157622318318725).)


They've put Mets logos on the elevators - some have the interlocking "NY," some have the round skyline as shown here (and I meant to get the shot this way, seconds before the doors closed)...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949524206/in/set-72157622318318725).)


New signs in the men's room... for the record, I was the only person in the men's room at the time the photo was taken...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949524612/in/set-72157622318318725).)


Someone else posted a photo on Flickr of Mr. Met coming out of what I call his "apartment" at the end of the 5th inning (link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metsgrrl/3890599535/)), and I liked it so much that not only did I make it a favorite, but I wanted to try and get my own shots. So here's my version of Mr. Met waiting for the bottom of the 5th to end so he and the "Pepsi Party Patrol" can shoot T-shirts to the crowd...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949528804/in/set-72157622318318725).)


Finally, some fans showing their continued support for the team even at this point in the season...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3948753191/in/set-72157622318318725).)


More photos, including additional obstructed views as well as some seldom seen post-game night exterior views from Roosevelt Avenue, can be found on Flickr at this link: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157622318318725/).

[tomzpc]

As always Gary, great job! :clapping

[metfan61]

Did they finish lowering the led boards?

[Jim Vaz]

LOL! Does that shirt he has on say "Sucker 09"??

[Gary Dunaier]

LOL! Does that shirt he has on say "Sucker 09"??

It's possible. If memory serves me right I caught a quick split-second glimpse of someone wearing a shirt with that particular name and number combination. It could very well have been the individual in the photograph.

[Jim Vaz]

You know I don't want to get off topic (even though I am :)), but just seeing how empty now the park is in these final few weeks of this disasterous season that is now so very irrelevent, you just wonder, question, and want to bang your head trying to figure out what the hell the Wilpons and the Mets hierarchy is truly thinking.

How in the world can they decide to stay the course, and keep the same manager and the same GM? How could you not clean house? it doesn't take a genius to figure out the Mets problems this year were induced by injuries, but that is only a percentage of the problem. Even so, you need a change just for a sake of change, to shake it up, make it new. Even if next years result is even worse, you have to make a change. Jerry Manuel was here as the bench coach in 07, manager in 08, and the manager under this nightmare season. We need him for a 4th season now? :banghead::banghead:

Sorry I'm just so frustrated and as a fan I feel so helpless. When does it end? When does this nightmare go away? :hp:shrug:

[tfc3rid]

You know I don't want to get off topic (even though I am :)), but just seeing how empty now the park is in these final few weeks of this disasterous season that is now so very irrelevent, you just wonder, question, and want to bang your head trying to figure out what the hell the Wilpons and the Mets hierarchy is truly thinking.

How in the world can they decide to stay the course, and keep the same manager and the same GM? How could you not clean house? it doesn't take a genius to figure out the Mets problems this year were induced by injuries, but that is only a percentage of the problem. Even so, you need a change just for a sake of change, to shake it up, make it new. Even if next years result is even worse, you have to make a change. Jerry Manuel was here as the bench coach in 07, manager in 08, and the manager under this nightmare season. We need him for a 4th season now? :banghead::banghead:

Sorry I'm just so frustrated and as a fan I feel so helpless. When does it end? When does this nightmare go away? :hp:shrug:

They don't have enough money to spend on a new GM and manager when they are paying them anyway... Why pay 2 managers and GM's?

[JohnCropp]

You know I don't want to get off topic (even though I am :)), but just seeing how empty now the park is in these final few weeks of this disasterous season that is now so very irrelevent, you just wonder, question, and want to bang your head trying to figure out what the hell the Wilpons and the Mets hierarchy is truly thinking.

How in the world can they decide to stay the course, and keep the same manager and the same GM? How could you not clean house? it doesn't take a genius to figure out the Mets problems this year were induced by injuries, but that is only a percentage of the problem. Even so, you need a change just for a sake of change, to shake it up, make it new. Even if next years result is even worse, you have to make a change. Jerry Manuel was here as the bench coach in 07, manager in 08, and the manager under this nightmare season. We need him for a 4th season now? :banghead::banghead:

Sorry I'm just so frustrated and as a fan I feel so helpless. When does it end? When does this nightmare go away? :hp:shrug:

I think the idea is that the 2009 season was wrecked by injuries more than personnel or management decisions and so it's easier/fair/cheaper for all to just give Minaya and Manuel a shot at winning next season with a (hopefully) healthy team.

If the Mets don't win in 2010, they will be probably be gone regardless of why.

[tomkaz]

found this on metspolice.com
------------------------------------------------

Rumor: New York Mets Museum To Rotunda?
Shannon Shark, Mets Police Chief


Let me remind all that the Mets Police site is not news, it's just a
fun site where Mets fans can gather and exchange fan related ideas.
I'm thankful that readers feed me ideas and stories, but I remind you
I'm just a regular fan like you and not 60 Minutes. That being said...
I got an email from someone who has fed me stuff in the past that has
been accurate. He says he was in the Mets store in the rotunda and
heard discussions about half that space becoming the Mets museum. He
said he asked another employee from a different depatment and that
person confirmed it.

Is it true? I don't know but I hope it is.

My question to you is: what would you like to see in such a museum?

We'd all like "more Mets less Dodgers" so let's skip the cattiness and
try to come up with a list. Players, items etc.

I wonder if they could acquire the Buckner ball?

[cringey]

found this on metspolice.com
------------------------------------------------

Rumor: New York Mets Museum To Rotunda?
Shannon Shark, Mets Police Chief


Let me remind all that the Mets Police site is not news, it's just a
fun site where Mets fans can gather and exchange fan related ideas.
I'm thankful that readers feed me ideas and stories, but I remind you
I'm just a regular fan like you and not 60 Minutes. That being said...
I got an email from someone who has fed me stuff in the past that has
been accurate. He says he was in the Mets store in the rotunda and
heard discussions about half that space becoming the Mets museum. He
said he asked another employee from a different depatment and that
person confirmed it.

Is it true? I don't know but I hope it is.

My question to you is: what would you like to see in such a museum?

We'd all like "more Mets less Dodgers" so let's skip the cattiness and
try to come up with a list. Players, items etc.

I wonder if they could acquire the Buckner ball?

They already have sorta museum like pieces in there with the Last Season at Shea bases.

What ever happened to the MLB Player Shop that was supposed to be put in the rotunda?

I can't imagine them cutting out merch profits for the museum when theres that whole corner of unused space by the bullpen plaza. Appears to me right now there is less Merch space than at Shea and most other stadiums.

[tfc3rid]

They already have sorta museum like pieces in there with the Last Season at Shea bases.

What ever happened to the MLB Player Shop that was supposed to be put in the rotunda?

I can't imagine them cutting out merch profits for the museum when theres that whole corner of unused space by the bullpen plaza. Appears to me right now there is less Merch space than at Shea and most other stadiums.

The MLB player shop is in the Caesar's Club Level.

[cringey]

The MLB player shop is in the Caesar's Club Level.

Thank you tfc, was always wondering but never heard anything about it.

[RayNY]

Tuesday night was Hispanic Heritage night, so fans arriving at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda were serenaded by a Mariachi band...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949505668/in/set-72157622318318725).)


Wilpons throwing away money again. Don't they know that fans who take the 7 train can see this for free? :D

[yankies4life]

Wilpons throwing away money again. Don't they know that fans who take the 7 train can see this for free? :D


hahahahahaha its soooooo true

[tfc3rid]

Wilpons throwing away money again. Don't they know that fans who take the 7 train can see this for free? :D

Mariachi band? Met game? I'll bite my tongue...

[Kooos]

They don't have enough money to spend on a new GM and manager when they are paying them anyway... Why pay 2 managers and GM's?


The Wilpons are on the hook for about $5m to Omar and Jerry, iirc. I'd gladly trade $5m less in player salaries for smarter people running the show (even if it meant no big ticket acquisitions this winter).

Give me Bobby V, and I'd be happy with the exact same friggin team coming back next year.

[RayNY]

I'd gladly trade $5m less in player salaries for smarter people running the show (even if it meant no big ticket acquisitions this winter).

Give me Bobby V, and I'd be happy with the exact same friggin team coming back next year.

"An army of asses lead by a lion is better than an army of lions lead by an ass." –George Washington

[GordonGecko]

"An army of asses lead by a lion is better than an army of lions lead by an ass." –George Washington

Good ol' George, no wonder they put him on the first bill

[jfvmets]

Tuesday night was Hispanic Heritage night, so fans arriving at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda were serenaded by a Mariachi band...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3949505668/in/set-72157622318318725).)




We also have to teach the wilpons that Mariachi is mexican and Hispanic Heritage night is for all hispanic/latinos not for only mexicans (nothing againts mexicans) but Hispanic are plp from may countries that speak spanish, (Puerto Rico, dominican R, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, etc) and these contries don't listen or bearly listen to mariachi... (Wilpons' learn asome culture... Hispanic not= mexican )
I bet that Hispanic/latinos mest fans are most (Puerto Rican, dominican , Cuban, Venezuelian.. maybe some mexicans that like Perez...

[RayNY]

We also have to teach the wilpons that Mariachi is mexican and Hispanic Heritage night is for all hispanic/latinos not for only mexicans (nothing againts mexicans) but Hispanic are plp from may countries that speak spanish, (Puerto Rico, dominican R, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, etc) and these contries don't listen or bearly listen to mariachi... (Wilpons' learn asome culture... Hispanic not= mexican )
I bet that Hispanic/latinos mest fans are most (Puerto Rican, dominican , Cuban, Venezuelian.. maybe some mexicans that like Perez...

Good point. This is a pure Wilpon effort.

[njmeadowlanders]

I just got this in an email...who says we don't have enough banners?

[GordonGecko]

I just got this in an email...who says we don't have enough banners?



that's f'ing hilarious

[cgcoyne2]

found this on metspolice.com
------------------------------------------------

Rumor: New York Mets Museum To Rotunda?
Shannon Shark, Mets Police Chief


Let me remind all that the Mets Police site is not news, it's just a
fun site where Mets fans can gather and exchange fan related ideas.
I'm thankful that readers feed me ideas and stories, but I remind you
I'm just a regular fan like you and not 60 Minutes. That being said...
I got an email from someone who has fed me stuff in the past that has
been accurate. He says he was in the Mets store in the rotunda and
heard discussions about half that space becoming the Mets museum. He
said he asked another employee from a different depatment and that
person confirmed it.

Is it true? I don't know but I hope it is.

My question to you is: what would you like to see in such a museum?

We'd all like "more Mets less Dodgers" so let's skip the cattiness and
try to come up with a list. Players, items etc.

I wonder if they could acquire the Buckner ball?

When I went into the Mets Team store in the rotunda I was surprised they didn't sell any Throwback Met jerseys. With this being the 40th anniversary of the 1969 team I'm surprised they don't sell any wool M&N jerseys. The time is ripe even if they cost $300.

It would be cool if the museum had some original 1962 and 1969 Wool jerseys. Also a bunch of jerseys from the 1973, 1986 and 2000 seasons. That's what I would like to see.

[Petemc1969]

Went to the game last night. I bought Delta seats on Stub Hub for $60 per (normally $180 face value). Here are some pics:

[esternberg387]

Obstructed view from Promenade Reserved Infield 509, row 5, seat 3 - this was a "Bronze" game, so the ticket price was "only" $20...


(Photo taken September 22, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3948743261/in/set-72157622318318725).)



That's me coming up the stairs, great pic!...

[Kooos]

Interesting idea from Cerrone.....


"Next season, I’d like to see every Mets fan who attends Citi Field wearing a blue shirt… nothing but blue… wear a blue Mets jersey, where a generic blue t-shirt, a blue jacket, this Mets jacket, whatever… but make it blue… this way, Citi Field will get the splash of blue paint it is sorely missing.

Cardinals fans wear nothing but red to games, like this, creating a powerful, cohesive sea of Cardinal Red in every corner of the building… I think it would be equally powerful if we did the same with blue in Citi Field.

Why? Well, earlier in the season, I was talking with someone high up in the Mets organization, who said, “Blue and orange are fine for the uniform, but they’re kind of tacky for the ballpark,” which would explain the buidling’s overusage of gun-metal grey.

So, if every fan in Citi Field wore blue, we could at least take some control of how the ballpark looks."


http://www.metsblog.com/

[mandrake]

Interesting idea from Cerrone.....


"Next season, I’d like to see every Mets fan who attends Citi Field wearing a blue shirt… nothing but blue… wear a blue Mets jersey, where a generic blue t-shirt, a blue jacket, this Mets jacket, whatever… but make it blue… this way, Citi Field will get the splash of blue paint it is sorely missing.

Cardinals fans wear nothing but red to games, like this, creating a powerful, cohesive sea of Cardinal Red in every corner of the building… I think it would be equally powerful if we did the same with blue in Citi Field.

Why? Well, earlier in the season, I was talking with someone high up in the Mets organization, who said, “Blue and orange are fine for the uniform, but they’re kind of tacky for the ballpark,” which would explain the buidling’s overusage of gun-metal grey.

So, if every fan in Citi Field wore blue, we could at least take some control of how the ballpark looks."


http://www.metsblog.com/

Seriously, the predominate color in the stands for many games next season will be forest green.....the color of the seats.
I will be shocked if the Mets sell over 30K per game, which means 10K unsold.
And of those 30K, how many show up for early games, mid week games, late season games.

[tfc3rid]

Seriously, the predominate color in the stands for many games next season will be forest green.....the color of the seats.
I will be shocked if the Mets sell over 30K per game, which means 10K unsold.
And of those 30K, how many show up for early games, mid week games, late season games.

Worst thing right now is the paid attendance every night is still 35K plus... That will make the Wilpons think that there is no real issue with prices.

[JohnCropp]

Interesting idea from Cerrone.....


"Next season, I’d like to see every Mets fan who attends Citi Field wearing a blue shirt… nothing but blue… wear a blue Mets jersey, where a generic blue t-shirt, a blue jacket, this Mets jacket, whatever… but make it blue… this way, Citi Field will get the splash of blue paint it is sorely missing.

Cardinals fans wear nothing but red to games, like this, creating a powerful, cohesive sea of Cardinal Red in every corner of the building… I think it would be equally powerful if we did the same with blue in Citi Field.

Why? Well, earlier in the season, I was talking with someone high up in the Mets organization, who said, “Blue and orange are fine for the uniform, but they’re kind of tacky for the ballpark,” which would explain the buidling’s overusage of gun-metal grey.

So, if every fan in Citi Field wore blue, we could at least take some control of how the ballpark looks."


http://www.metsblog.com/

I think that's a great idea and would add orange for away games.

Every time I go see the Mets in Atlanta, I love to see the bits of orange scattered around the ballpark. There's a lot of Met fans in blue, but they don't stand out against the Brave blue and red as much as the orange does.

If Cerrone could get something going with this, it would make a hell of a difference in the perception of the Met fan.

Like you said, there is something special about seeing a see of red at Busch Stadium. I'd love to feel the same way when watching games at City Field.

[RayNY]

Like you said, there is something special about seeing a see of red at Busch Stadium. I'd love to feel the same way when watching games at City Field.

The reason for the "sea of red" at Busch Stadium is because the actual seats are red. Some fans wear red too, and white, and other colors but for the most part it's the seats that make everything appear red.

[Mister B.]

Worst thing right now is the paid attendance every night is still 35K plus... That will make the Wilpons think that there is no real issue with prices.

I'm going to give them more credit than that. Maybe I'll catch some heat for this, but I don't think they are clueless dolts with their heads in the sand.

They've got to know they're going to have big problems with renewals. They bet the ranch on charging crazy-high prices to see a first-rate team in the brand new house, only to get double-sacked by a tanking economy and a bad season (whatever the cause.) Now the team isn't first-rate and the house isn't brand new, but the crazy-high prices are the crappy economy are both still here. They've got to know this could get ugly.

What they plan to do about it is anyone's guess since I doubt they even know themselves yet. My personal guess is that they'll try to BS the fans with more hype (mistake) in combination with minor price / club access concessions and increasingly aggressive marketing.

I just don't think they're going to shrug their collective shoulders and say "no problem here."

[Kooos]

Seriously, the predominate color in the stands for many games next season will be forest green.....the color of the seats.
I will be shocked if the Mets sell over 30K per game, which means 10K unsold.
And of those 30K, how many show up for early games, mid week games, late season games.


Perhaps....but not really the point.

For arguments sake, how about we say Wilpon eventually lowers prices and the Mets become good again at some point?

[tfc3rid]

I think they acknowledge there is a problem... Just how serious is it at the ML level? They see a returning Reyes, Beltran, Santana and Wright... They are not too worried about it...

[mandrake]

Perhaps....but not really the point.

For arguments sake, how about we say Wilpon eventually lowers prices and the Mets become good again at some point?

OK. But wearing orange is a gimmick, and I just can't wait for Yankees fans to make fun of it.

It reminds me of how it has become trendy at NHL playoff games for all the fans to wear the same color (and a few fans wear the opposite color to be seen on TV). Funny, all the Red Wing jerseys did not stop the Penguins in game 7.

The Mets are not going to install orange seats no matter how many people wear orange. I even doubt the place becomes blue.

They need 3 more real MLB quality starters before they can be taken seriously. All of the gimmicks are just that.

Meanwhile, across town they are getting out the polish for number 27. No gimmicks up in da Bronx.

[mandrake]

I'm going to give them more credit than that. Maybe I'll catch some heat for this, but I don't think they are clueless dolts with their heads in the sand.

They've got to know they're going to have big problems with renewals. They bet the ranch on charging crazy-high prices to see a first-rate team in the brand new house, only to get double-sacked by a tanking economy and a bad season (whatever the cause.) Now the team isn't first-rate and the house isn't brand new, but the crazy-high prices are the crappy economy are both still here. They've got to know this could get ugly.

What they plan to do about it is anyone's guess since I doubt they even know themselves yet. My personal guess is that they'll try to BS the fans with more hype (mistake) in combination with minor price / club access concessions and increasingly aggressive marketing. I just don't think they're going to shrug their collective shoulders and say "no problem here."

Mr B

You are probably the finance wiz on this board, so I will ask you this.
Either he is A) a dunce that just keeps pouring huge amounts of good money after bad money as he gave Madoff hundreds of millions, blindly, with no return despite having his own team of CPA's, tax people, finance analysts, etc and who were all blind to Bernie

or B) he knew about the scheme and tried to bring others like Sandy Koufax into the pyramid in a bid to get some return on his investment before the whole thing collapsed.


And I agree with your personal guess highlighted above.

[Strawman]

hahahahahaha its soooooo true

Really - I've never seen a Mariachi band on the 7 line or any other line.

Has anyone else here come across such a band on the subway?

[GordonGecko]

Here's the configuration for football at Citi Field:

[Mister B.]

Mr B

You are probably the finance wiz on this board, so I will ask you this.
Either he is A) a dunce that just keeps pouring huge amounts of good money after bad money as he gave Madoff hundreds of millions, blindly, with no return despite having his own team of CPA's, tax people, finance analysts, etc and who were all blind to Bernie

or B) he knew about the scheme and tried to bring others like Sandy Koufax into the pyramid in a bid to get some return on his investment before the whole thing collapsed.


And I agree with your personal guess highlighted above.


Wow, nobody's ever accused me of being a financial whiz before.

In any event, we should probably pursue this (if you want) via PMs, since we're veering off the CitiField theme a bit here.

[njmeadowlanders]

Here's the configuration for football at Citi Field:



Obviously not to scale because you only need 360 feet endline to endline and it's 408' to CF from home...

This is more like it, though I still expect it to be further towards center:

[BMF]

Here's the configuration for football at Citi Field:



talk about tight!!!!

[AJbaseball00024]

Here is my Citi Field Pictures:

Beautiful Exterior of Citi Field


Fan Bricks


Howie Rose and Wayne Hagin in the SportsRadio 66 WFAN Booth


Gary Cohen and Ron Darling in the SNY Booth


Angel Pagan batting lead-off for the Mets in the leadoff spot. He would score When Chase Utley dropped first dropped his pop-up and then mis-threw it to left field when he wanted to send it to second base.


A little kid gets a pop-up ball that lands foul


Mr. Met launches shirts into the stand before the Mets Bat again.


Home Run Apple rising during Seventh Inning Stretch.

[Jim Vaz]

Horrible season that thankfully is near its conclusion, Yankee writers and press doing their best to rub more salt in our wounds pointing out some minor issues and flaws, but still overall the Mets have built themselves one of the nicest parks in baseball!
:applaud:

[Kooos]

OK. But wearing orange is a gimmick, and I just can't wait for Yankees fans to make fun of it.

It reminds me of how it has become trendy at NHL playoff games for all the fans to wear the same color (and a few fans wear the opposite color to be seen on TV). Funny, all the Red Wing jerseys did not stop the Penguins in game 7.

The Mets are not going to install orange seats no matter how many people wear orange. I even doubt the place becomes blue.

They need 3 more real MLB quality starters before they can be taken seriously. All of the gimmicks are just that.

Meanwhile, across town they are getting out the polish for number 27. No gimmicks up in da Bronx.



I'm not sure anyone suggested it would?

But perhaps we should all just shelve any thoughts on trying to make the ballpark experience better, while we wallow in our frustration and Yankee-Envy?

We get it....you don't like the idea and you don't want to talk about anything other than how F'n fantastic the Yankees are and what a joke the Mets are. Yankee fans are "winner's", Cashman walks on water, and the Mets are never gonna be good again. Etc, etc. etc.

Silly me for thinking we could discuss something else.

Boy am I gonna laugh my a$$ off when they lose next month.

[mets16]

Hard to believe 6 months ago tomorrow, I saw this place for the first time. Its crazy how it felt going inside for the first time and how much promise the season had on March 29th.




Boy does time fly.

[Mary Ellen]

I will not be happy if they drop the pin stripes, I did like the cream color on the throwbacks though.


http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090929&content_id=7220356&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

[Paul W]

I will not be happy if they drop the pin stripes, I did like the cream color on the throwbacks though.


welcome to the jeffey-ized ny mets! he's putting his stamp on the franchise - gasp!
irony is that the old man is obsessed with the dodgers and the son seems to be with the gi-ants (uni's & b'park - complete with expensive seats and crummy weather, in '09 at least).

p.s. - remember "show up at shea!"? - that was a "jeffey"...

[li7039]

Mets in that scrip is my bet

[Jim Vaz]

From the top down, you really can't ask for a bigger disaster of a franchise right now.

Sorry once again to get off topic, but this team has completely quit on itself. How in gods green earth these morons keep Manuel is just completely mind boggling. And to say "he's our guy"...:banghead::banghead::banghead:

Its just brutal, BRUTAL!

Like Joe Ding Dong always says

"OH THE PAIN!"

[Saltzy23]

From the top down, you really can't ask for a bigger disaster of a franchise right now.

Sorry once again to get off topic, but this team has completely quit on itself. How in gods green earth these morons keep Manuel is just completely mind boggling. And to say "he's our guy"...:banghead::banghead::banghead:

Its just brutal, BRUTAL!

Like Joe Ding Dong always says

"OH THE PAIN!"
...and here I thought I was the only person that watched absurd loss #....eh, who cares at this point...

[Jim Vaz]

...and here I thought I was the only person that watched absurd loss #....eh, who cares at this point...

Nope you're definitely not the only one. Whats even more odd is I watch them more now.
Thank god for Gary Keith and Ron, they deserve Emmys for the way they have handled the broadcast the last 4 months.

[Saltzy23]

Nope you're definitely not the only one. Whats even more odd is I watch them more now.
Thank god for Gary Keith and Ron, they deserve Emmys for the way they have handled the broadcast the last 4 months.

I just read that they are 39-70 since 6/1...

I really want the "Stop complaining! No team could have won with the injuries they have sustained this year." people defend THAT!!!

41 games under .500 in the last 4 months is beyond putrid. That's a team that knew they had no chance, and just stopped caring.

***Psst, it's also absolute proof that Jerry has NO control or authority over the losers on this team. He MUST be fired. At the absolute minimum to send the message that this is completely unacceptable.***

[Jim Vaz]

I just read that they are 39-70 since 6/1...

I really want the "Stop complaining! No team could have won with the injuries they have sustained this year." people defend THAT!!!

41 games under .500 in the last 4 months is beyond putrid. That's a team that knew they had no chance, and just stopped caring.

***Psst, it's also absolute proof that Jerry has NO control or authority over the losers on this team. He MUST be fired. At the absolute minimum to send the message that this is completely unacceptable.***


I pray I'm write when I get this feeling, but I think there is that outside chance that with the way this team played down the stretch and how it quit that Jerry may indeed get the axe despite what that idiot said. I won't hold my breath, but I have to believe that the last month or more is being reviewed by the Omar and Wilpon.

[Saltzy23]

I think there is that outside chance that with the way this team played down the stretch and how it quit that Jerry may indeed get the axe despite what that idiot said. I won't hold my breath, but I have to believe that the last month or more is being reviewed by the Omar and Wilpon.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Omar-"We play bad. We no win. We fire manager?"

Fred-"Me angry. Me upset. Me want change."

Omar-"Me call press conference blaming media for losing? Fire manager?"

Fred-"Me like idea. Meeting over. Now we win next year."

[Jim Vaz]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Omar-"We play bad. We no win. We fire manager?"

Fred-"Me angry. Me upset. Me want change."

Omar-"Me call press conference blaming media for losing? Fire manager?"

Fred-"Me like idea. Meeting over. Now we win next year."

lol

Its such a cluster eff the whole thing. The way they kept making Omar go out there and talk, knowing full well that he is a complete buffoon behind the mic. Just the whole thing is so 3rd rate, and typical Mets. Its almost fitting how well the Yankees have done and how awful the Mets have been, you really can't ask for two more polar opposite organizations that sit only 4 or 5 miles apart. It might as well be 5,000 miles apart.

We never get out of our own way, we always get embarrassed.
if you really looked closely this summer, after June unless you were either in the parking lot or the park itself, you couldn't find one person in this city and the metro area wearing Mets stuff. Just a summer to completely forget. The sad part though is that we may try to forget about it, but its not going to get any better any time soon. In fact, it could get even worse. The payroll is being cut, there won't be any large FA signings like we may expect. The Mets don't have the money and free agents may simply think twice before signing here, ESPECIALLY if you're a power hitter and you have to play in Citi Field.

[Saltzy23]

lol

Its such a cluster eff the whole thing. The way they kept making Omar go out there and talk, knowing full well that he is a complete buffoon behind the mic. Just the whole thing is so 3rd rate, and typical Mets. Its almost fitting how well the Yankees have done and how awful the Mets have been, you really can't ask for two more polar opposite organizations that sit only 4 or 5 miles apart. It might as well be 5,000 miles apart.

We never get out of our own way, we always get embarrassed.
if you really looked closely this summer, after June unless you were either in the parking lot or the park itself, you couldn't find one person in this city and the metro area wearing Mets stuff. Just a summer to completely forget. The sad part though is that we may try to forget about it, but its not going to get any better any time soon. In fact, it could get even worse. The payroll is being cut, there won't be any large FA signings like we may expect. The Mets don't have the money and free agents may simply think twice before signing here, ESPECIALLY if you're a power hitter and you have to play in Citi Field.

2 points...

A. Is it me or doesn't it seem that every 'kick in the balls' Mets loss fell on the same day the Yankees won in ridiculous fashion? Seems like its happened 10 times this year....and again tonight.

B. I wore my hat out on Saturday night(I'd say I've worn my blue cap 75% of the days in 2009)...I must have had 10-15 people either outwardly laugh at me, say they felt sorry for me, tell me I'm obviously a real fan, or ask me why I still am a fan at all...

Ah, the joys of rooting for the New York Metropolitans...

[Gary Dunaier]

Tim Redding will be the best pitcher on the Mets' staff in 2010 (except, of course, for Santana).

:confused:

[Jim Vaz]

Tim Redding will be the best pitcher on the Mets' staff in 2010 (except, of course, for Santana).

:confused:

lol
He very well could be. We don't know what Neise is going to be like when he comes back, Pelfrey is a huge question Mark. I guess Maine could be second, but thats not saying much.

[Jim Vaz]

2 points...

A. Is it me or doesn't it seem that every 'kick in the balls' Mets loss fell on the same day the Yankees won in ridiculous fashion? Seems like its happened 10 times this year....and again tonight.

B. I wore my hat out on Saturday night(I'd say I've worn my blue cap 75% of the days in 2009)...I must have had 10-15 people either outwardly laugh at me, say they felt sorry for me, tell me I'm obviously a real fan, or ask me why I still am a fan at all...

Ah, the joys of rooting for the New York Metropolitans...

lol

I wore my hat when i was down in Florida in August and of course that one transplanted a hole Yankee fan had to find me! Actually he was a nice guy, but his first comment to me was, "they still sell those hats?"

Yea it seems every tough loss is followed up by a Yankee comeback. of course none more infamous than the Castillo drop...

OH THE PAIN!

[Bpt'sbiggestmetsfan1116]

I will not be happy if they drop the pin stripes, I did like the cream color on the throwbacks though.


http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090929&content_id=7220356&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

havent been posting in a long while...but this irks me...WHY DROP THE STRIPES? white with blue pinstripes has been a mets tradition since '62? absurd...but they wont drop those terrible black home unis huh?
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :hp:shrug:hp:confused::confused:

[Jim Vaz]

if they follow through with this absurdity and give us those disgusting creme colored jerseys, I hope every Mets fan protests this hard.
I would think this is going to get A LOT of backlash.
Wow they just don't get it, at all.

This could be the tipping point for me, I might drop this team altogether. Forget any emotional attachment and how deep I am into it. THAT'S IT, no more!!

[RayNY]

if they follow through with this absurdity and give us those disgusting creme colored jerseys, I hope every Mets fan protests this hard.
I would think this is going to get A LOT of backlash.
Wow they just don't get it, at all.

This could be the tipping point for me, I might drop this team altogether. Forget any emotional attachment and how deep I am into it. THAT'S IT, no more!!

I like the off-white jerseys. I think you'll be surprised to find out that many people, even ones in this forum, have grown fond of the off-whites.

[JohnCropp]

According to the Daily News and Paul Lukas (http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2009/09/29/nob-job/), the Mets aren't dropping the pinstripes.

The pinstripe unis will be cream colored and they'll keep the non-pinstripe unis white.

I think it's a great idea and a nod to the early Met uniforms which were cream colored.

(By the way, wouldn't it be great if there were a forum for uniform discussions on Basebll Fever? I'm just sayin'...)

[Jim Vaz]

Well from what I read earlier the plan was to drop the pinstripes, maybe that has since changed.

I understand some people liking it, but this has always been what the Mets are about, gimmicks.
What is this immediate need to alter the jersey of the Mets? Why do we need this now? I just don't get it.
Whether we wore this jersey or that jersey in 1964 is irrelevent to most fans. Its just another excuse to try and sell more jerseys.

We've won 1 division title in 20 years, have only been to the postseason 3 times in that period. We have so many other pressing issues. As it stands now, the 2010 Mets might even be worse then the one we saw in this dreadful season.

Keep the white, keep the pinstripes, keep the royal blue caps with the orange NY. If they want an alternate fine, but when will the Mets and Horowitz finally understand that we have a tradition here? There is history with the Mets. We play in the same city that is owned by the franchise of history, and yet we have our own but the Mets always try to cheapen their own legacy.

[Gary Dunaier]

We play in the same city that is owned by the franchise of history, and yet we have our own but the Mets always try to cheapen their own legacy.

Maybe that's part of the Mets' legacy?

[GuitarPunk2512]

According to the Daily News and Paul Lukas (http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2009/09/29/nob-job/), the Mets aren't dropping the pinstripes.

The pinstripe unis will be cream colored and they'll keep the non-pinstripe unis white.

I think it's a great idea and a nod to the early Met uniforms which were cream colored.

(By the way, wouldn't it be great if there were a forum for uniform discussions on Basebll Fever? I'm just sayin'...)
there is, over at www.sportslogos.net or a direct link to the forum http://boards.sportslogos.net/ theres sections for sports unis/ logos/ ect, general logos/ ect, and then concepts which i have seen really good ones on there. during the baseball season theres plenty of full MLB redesigns that are awsome....but right now its basically football and college

[BayonneMetsfan]

I'm done with this franchise. I can't believe what I just read.

From the NY Times:

"The Mets had a surprising presence at Yankee Stadium on. In a ceremony before the game, the Yankees honored Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera for their recent achievements — Jeter for breaking Lou Gehrig’s career Yankees hit record, and Rivera for recording 500 saves. Both players were given items from the old Yankee Stadium. The Mets sent Rivera the pitching rubber from Citi Field, where he recorded his 500th save on June 28 and a letter signed by Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, and General Manager Omar Minaya."

Fred. Jeff. PLEASE. SELL. THE. TEAM. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean really. It's beyond belief. It's just beyond belief. This organization does nothing but disgrace itself day after day after day after day. Calling out reporters in press conferences, the performance on the field...dropped popups, runners missing third base...tractor ads on the scoreboard...now this. As God is my witness not one more penny of my income will go to these pathetic clowns and every other Mets fan should feel the same. What's next? A ceremony at Citi Field to celebrate the 2000 Yankees? How about Roger Clemens Day! Mike Piazza can kneel down before Roger Clemens and present him with the bat shard he tried to throw at his head.

What a disgrace. What an utter top to bottom disgrace. WHAT. A. DISGRACE.

[GuitarPunk2512]

I'm done with this franchise. I can't believe what I just read.

From the NY Times:

"The Mets had a surprising presence at Yankee Stadium on. In a ceremony before the game, the Yankees honored Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera for their recent achievements — Jeter for breaking Lou Gehrig’s career Yankees hit record, and Rivera for recording 500 saves. Both players were given items from the old Yankee Stadium. The Mets sent Rivera the pitching rubber from Citi Field, where he recorded his 500th save on June 28 and a letter signed by Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, and General Manager Omar Minaya."

Fred. Jeff. PLEASE. SELL. THE. TEAM. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean really. It's beyond belief. It's just beyond belief. This organization does nothing but disgrace itself day after day after day after day. Calling out reporters in press conferences, the performance on the field...dropped popups, runners missing third base...tractor ads on the scoreboard...now this. As God is my witness not one more penny of my income will go to these pathetic clowns and every other Mets fan should feel the same. What's next? A ceremony at Citi Field to celebrate the 2000 Yankees? How about Roger Clemens Day! Mike Piazza can kneel down before Roger Clemens and present him with the bat shard he tried to throw at his head.

What a disgrace. What an utter top to bottom disgrace. WHAT. A. DISGRACE.

honestly, i see nothing wrong with them giving a letter acknowlaging their accomplishment, espcially since it was done in our stadium. i mean we got so many other problems to worry about which you listed basically that this doesnt bother me, also they honored two of the classiest players in basbeall which should be be praised. on the other hand, our whoel organization is a disaster and needs to be gutted from the top down because this ship is sinking fast.

[Jim Vaz]

I'm done with this franchise. I can't believe what I just read.

From the NY Times:

"The Mets had a surprising presence at Yankee Stadium on. In a ceremony before the game, the Yankees honored Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera for their recent achievements — Jeter for breaking Lou Gehrig’s career Yankees hit record, and Rivera for recording 500 saves. Both players were given items from the old Yankee Stadium. The Mets sent Rivera the pitching rubber from Citi Field, where he recorded his 500th save on June 28 and a letter signed by Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, and General Manager Omar Minaya."

Fred. Jeff. PLEASE. SELL. THE. TEAM. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean really. It's beyond belief. It's just beyond belief. This organization does nothing but disgrace itself day after day after day after day. Calling out reporters in press conferences, the performance on the field...dropped popups, runners missing third base...tractor ads on the scoreboard...now this. As God is my witness not one more penny of my income will go to these pathetic clowns and every other Mets fan should feel the same. What's next? A ceremony at Citi Field to celebrate the 2000 Yankees? How about Roger Clemens Day! Mike Piazza can kneel down before Roger Clemens and present him with the bat shard he tried to throw at his head.

What a disgrace. What an utter top to bottom disgrace. WHAT. A. DISGRACE.


You know too that if that was a Met who achieved that milestone at Yankee Stadium there is no way that Steinbrenner or any Yankees brass would be sending the pitching rubber over.
I don't fault the Mets though, they are doing the classy thing there. Like I said though, the Yankees would never do it.

I'm at about my tipping point. I've been a fan for a very log time and I might walk away.
I can live with losing seasons and terrible teams, but what has happened here goes beyond them just being a lousy team.

[Tullydew]

I'm done with this franchise. I can't believe what I just read.

From the NY Times:

"The Mets had a surprising presence at Yankee Stadium on. In a ceremony before the game, the Yankees honored Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera for their recent achievements — Jeter for breaking Lou Gehrig’s career Yankees hit record, and Rivera for recording 500 saves. Both players were given items from the old Yankee Stadium. The Mets sent Rivera the pitching rubber from Citi Field, where he recorded his 500th save on June 28 and a letter signed by Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, and General Manager Omar Minaya."

Fred. Jeff. PLEASE. SELL. THE. TEAM. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean really. It's beyond belief. It's just beyond belief. This organization does nothing but disgrace itself day after day after day after day. Calling out reporters in press conferences, the performance on the field...dropped popups, runners missing third base...tractor ads on the scoreboard...now this. As God is my witness not one more penny of my income will go to these pathetic clowns and every other Mets fan should feel the same. What's next? A ceremony at Citi Field to celebrate the 2000 Yankees? How about Roger Clemens Day! Mike Piazza can kneel down before Roger Clemens and present him with the bat shard he tried to throw at his head.

What a disgrace. What an utter top to bottom disgrace. WHAT. A. DISGRACE.


Not surprising at all. They act like a second rate run franchise in this town. They are similiar to the Clippers in LA.

[dabigyankeeman]

You know too that if that was a Met who achieved that milestone at Yankee Stadium there is no way that Steinbrenner or any Yankees brass would be sending the pitching rubber over.
I don't fault the Mets though, they are doing the classy thing there. Like I said though, the Yankees would never do it.

I'm at about my tipping point. I've been a fan for a very log time and I might walk away.
I can live with losing seasons and terrible teams, but what has happened here goes beyond them just being a lousy team.

You are right, the Yankees wouldnt send it over. They would send it to Steiner Collectibles to sell it for a fortune.

Come over to the Dark Side, root for the Evil Empire, you will find its great! You can root for both teams you know, thats what i do, since they are in different leagues, root for each one in their league, but if you like TRADITION, you gotta be a Yankees fan.

[Jim Vaz]

You are right, the Yankees wouldnt send it over. They would send it to Steiner Collectibles to sell it for a fortune.

Come over to the Dark Side, root for the Evil Empire, you will find its great! You can root for both teams you know, thats what i do, since they are in different leagues, root for each one in their league, but if you like TRADITION, you gotta be a Yankees fan.

There were times I used to root for the Yankees, my first ever game was a Yankees game way back in the early 80's, and even a point where I contemplated switching sides. I just always felt a disconnect with the Yankees and I don't know why. They've always felt foreign to me, I can never relate to them and the fans.
And maybe its the way I'm wired, but I always root for the underdog, so the Mets were so close to my heart in that regard. Sounds nuts, but the Yankees simply win too much for me to even feel I could be a loyal fan. Tradition? Tradition of what? Excellence and winning all the time? Ahh that bores me, I need some pain, some anger, some agita...lol

Look at me now, I'm teetering as Mets fan and I'm sure in some way they will sucker me back in.
The lovable losers!

[dabigyankeeman]

Tradition of what? Excellence and winning all the time? Ahh that bores me, I need some pain, some anger, some agita...lol

Look at me now, I'm teetering as Mets fan and I'm sure in some way they will sucker me back in.
The lovable losers!

I really cant relate to that mentality. I totally agree with you rooting for the Mets because you love them, everyone should root for the team they love, but to me its incredible to love a team BECAUSE they are losers. You can love them EVEN THOUGH they are losers, but wow, i cant believe you would think rooting for excellance and winning is boring. To each his own, but wasnt it better when the Mets did good and beat the Sox in 1986 and went to the Subway Series of 2000? I still root for the Mets in the National League, but i want them to win.

Oh well, we all have our reasons for rooting who we root for, i root for ALL New York teams, they are all in different leagues, but again, i want them to win (particularly the Yankees:)).

[nymdan]

I really cant relate to that mentality. I totally agree with you rooting for the Mets because you love them, everyone should root for the team they love, but to me its incredible to love a team BECAUSE they are losers. You can love them EVEN THOUGH they are losers, but wow, i cant believe you would think rooting for excellance and winning is boring. To each his own, but wasnt it better when the Mets did good and beat the Sox in 1986 and went to the Subway Series of 2000? I still root for the Mets in the National League, but i want them to win.

Oh well, we all have our reasons for rooting who we root for, i root for ALL New York teams, they are all in different leagues, but again, i want them to win (particularly the Yankees:)).
I think the point was losing makes the winning sweeter.

I'm sure you'd admit that this division title was more exciting than past ones, since the Yankees missed the playoffs last year.

[NYMfanChris]

You know too that if that was a Met who achieved that milestone at Yankee Stadium there is no way that Steinbrenner or any Yankees brass would be sending the pitching rubber over.
I don't fault the Mets though, they are doing the classy thing there. Like I said though, the Yankees would never do it.

I'm at about my tipping point. I've been a fan for a very log time and I might walk away.
I can live with losing seasons and terrible teams, but what has happened here goes beyond them just being a lousy team.


that is completely wrong when the astros threw that 6 pitcher no hitter at oys they got a bottle of champagn form steinbrener

[dabigyankeeman]

I think the point was losing makes the winning sweeter.

I'm sure you'd admit that this division title was more exciting than past ones, since the Yankees missed the playoffs last year.

Thats true, plus its the first year of the new stadium.

[Jim Vaz]

that is completely wrong when the astros threw that 6 pitcher no hitter at oys they got a bottle of champagn form steinbrener

Hmm, I never knew that.

Well..that was the Astros though. I still have my doubts George & Sons would throw a bone to the Mets. lol

[Jim Vaz]

I think the point was losing makes the winning sweeter.

I'm sure you'd admit that this division title was more exciting than past ones, since the Yankees missed the playoffs last year.

Exactly. I was joking too about winning being boring...lol

Like for me, my one example where I truely got to enjoy the moment was when the Giants won. Nobody expected us to make the Super bowl, let alone beat the undeafeted team of destiny Patriots.
1994 was still my favorite win of them all, I think because 1986 I was still a little too young and naive. Not knowing the history of the mets I thought they would win every year. 23 soon to be 24 years later I'm still waiting :noidea

[Jim Vaz]

BTW, moderators, thanks for letting us Mets fan get a little off topic in here. :applaud: Right now its our only medicine to talk it out and vent. :banghead:

Once the season is over and Spring rolls around again, hopefully the Citi field thread will be alive again with pictures. Hopefully as well we get updates on any changes or modifications to the park over the winter.

[TinoM24]

I'm done with this franchise. I can't believe what I just read.


I mean really. It's beyond belief. It's just beyond belief. This organization does nothing but disgrace itself day after day after day after day. Calling out reporters in press conferences, the performance on the field...dropped popups, runners missing third base...tractor ads on the scoreboard...now this. As God is my witness not one more penny of my income will go to these pathetic clowns and every other Mets fan should feel the same. What's next? A ceremony at Citi Field to celebrate the 2000 Yankees? How about Roger Clemens Day! Mike Piazza can kneel down before Roger Clemens and present him with the bat shard he tried to throw at his head.

What a disgrace. What an utter top to bottom disgrace. WHAT. A. DISGRACE.

are you suggesting here for a Bernie Williams commemorative brick in the approximate location he caught the last out at?

[grimthorpe]

lol

......free agents may simply think twice before signing here, ESPECIALLY if you're a power hitter and you have to play in Citi Field.

Actually, power hitters have not had problems playing in Citi Field. Look at the home run totals by visiting players. If you're a power hitter who likes to pull the ball, you'll do just fine here.

There's one surefire way to attract free agent power hitters. Pay them more, which would be roughly offset by the money the Mets can save on pitchers who would gladly ply their trade in a National League pitcher's park than in the AL East, for example.

Whether the Mets sign any free agents of note is another subject altogether.

[dabigyankeeman]

are you suggesting here for a Bernie Williams commemorative brick in the approximate location he caught the last out at?

I have a commorative brick on the walkway outside the front of the stadium. Might as well give one for Bernie too.

In all seriousness though, i dont think the Mets pay enough tribute to their past, their history, and their tradition. Every fan should know all about the past of their team, and the stadium should reflect that, not be a shrine to Ebbetts Field and the Dodgers.

[WillMissShea]

Exactly. I was joking too about winning being boring...lol

Like for me, my one example where I truely got to enjoy the moment was when the Giants won. Nobody expected us to make the Super bowl, let alone beat the undeafeted team of destiny Patriots.
1994 was still my favorite win of them all, I think because 1986 I was still a little too young and naive. Not knowing the history of the mets I thought they would win every year. 23 soon to be 24 years later I'm still waiting :noidea


Do you mean 1991?

[Jim Vaz]

Do you mean 1991?

Sorry, I was referring to the Rangers.

[Jim Vaz]

Actually, power hitters have not had problems playing in Citi Field. Look at the home run totals by visiting players. If you're a power hitter who likes to pull the ball, you'll do just fine here.

There's one surefire way to attract free agent power hitters. Pay them more, which would be roughly offset by the money the Mets can save on pitchers who would gladly ply their trade in a National League pitcher's park than in the AL East, for example.

Whether the Mets sign any free agents of note is another subject altogether.

True, because we saw some of the big boppers come in here and do just fine, Mets were just an awful hitting team.

Only problem though, the Mets are not looking to add payroll so any big bopper coming in is not likely.

[baseballman1243]

I almost feel bad for you guys, but if we were in that situation you guys would make fun of us...so no I don't feel bad.

[tugger]

Something about playing the Marlins that makes desperate teams screw up.

[Jim Vaz]

I almost feel bad for you guys, but if we were in that situation you guys would make fun of us...so no I don't feel bad.

Oh we would be letting you have it so its all good.
:)

[RayNY]

Ok without reading every single post since... what exactly is so wrong about the Mets giving Mariano Rivera the pitching rubber he got his 500th save on? That was actually a nice gesture. (shrug)

[mets16]

Ok without reading every single post since... what exactly is so wrong about the Mets giving Mariano Rivera the pitching rubber he got his 500th save on? That was actually a nice gesture. (shrug)

It is honoring another team. This seems to have moved up the list of things fans are worrying about. We have bigger fish to fry. Give Rivera the friggen locker room for all I care. I want a contending ballclub.

[RayNY]

It is honoring another team.

It's not really honoring another team, it's honoring a single person's accomplishment. Which is fine by me. And even at that, they're just giving him the piece of rubber that he pitched on... it's not like made a plaque of him and are hanging it in the rotunda. They already have another team to honor for that :P

[Mary Ellen]

The Mets sent Rivera the pitching rubber from Citi Field, where he recorded his 500th save on June 28 and a letter signed by Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, and General Manager Omar Minaya."


I thought Jeff and Fred called it the "Pitcher's Plate" ;)

I don't like that either. Rivera is an all time great but please he is not a Met. Maybe next season it will be the Mariano Rivera Rotunda.

[magicmagee]

Classy move by the Mets.

[LI METS FAN]

I almost feel bad for you guys, but if we were in that situation you guys would make fun of us...so no I don't feel bad.

We'll never know unless for some reason the Yanks don't win the World Series this year. You MIGHT hear about it if that happens.

[peterrod16]

Classy move by the Mets.

i have no problem with the mets giving mariano the pitch rubber
I remember George Steinbrenner giving the houston 6 bottles of champagne for throwing a combined no hitter in 2003 at the stadium.
The sad part is when the wilpons try to do something postitve there are will always be negativity lurking around the corner from met fans and the media

[LI METS FAN]

Ok without reading every single post since... what exactly is so wrong about the Mets giving Mariano Rivera the pitching rubber he got his 500th save on? That was actually a nice gesture. (shrug)

Agreed. And I hope the Yankees gave Tom Seaver the pitching rubber from old Yankee Stadium when he won his 300th game there.

[magicmagee]

Agreed. And I hope the Yankees gave Tom Seaver the pitching rubber from old Yankee Stadium when he won his 300th game there.

Remember, WPIX actually invited longtime Met broadcaster Lindsey Nelson call the final out for Seavers 300th.

[nyce475]

I did not know that....did Nelson do the call?
I would have loved to have heard that since both Nelson and Seaver are major parts of the Mets history.

[magicmagee]

I did not know that....did Nelson do the call?
I would have loved to have heard that since both Nelson and Seaver are major parts of the Mets history.

I actually didn't either until I watch them reshow it on MLB network. It was very cool.

[GordonGecko]

Moving Home Plate Could Help Mets
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/sports/baseball/02mets.html?hp

[Paul W]

moving the field and foul poles would cost fred-do and jeff-ie money the probably don't have these days...

[peterrod16]

Moving Home Plate Could Help Mets
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/sports/baseball/02mets.html?hp

if it can help the franchise player hit more homers
im in favor of doing it

[Mary Ellen]

From SI.com the final power rankings:

"Other teams had a worse record but no one had a worse season than the Mets, who are finishing up in fashion typical of their second half by getting swept by the Nationals, the only team keeping the Mets from the NL East basement. Since the All-Star break, the Mets have the second-worst record in the National League and third-worst in all of baseball, going just 25-46. They've already started with their rebuilding plan for next year. The team is considering uniform changes for 2010 that would get rid of the pinstripes they've had for their entire 48-year history and perhaps go with a cream, rather than white jersey. Fail and fail. Thankfully the Citi Field/Domino's pizza patch that was mocked from the blogosphere to the Colbert Report will be gone next year, but the Mets need to just pick a jersey and stick with it. Constantly bouncing between multiple combinations makes them look bush league. "

This has been a year to forget - pretty well summed up by SI above. I hope the Mets can just get back to basics.

[Jim Vaz]

From SI.com the final power rankings:

"Other teams had a worse record but no one had a worse season than the Mets, who are finishing up in fashion typical of their second half by getting swept by the Nationals, the only team keeping the Mets from the NL East basement. Since the All-Star break, the Mets have the second-worst record in the National League and third-worst in all of baseball, going just 25-46. They've already started with their rebuilding plan for next year. The team is considering uniform changes for 2010 that would get rid of the pinstripes they've had for their entire 48-year history and perhaps go with a cream, rather than white jersey. Fail and fail. Thankfully the Citi Field/Domino's pizza patch that was mocked from the blogosphere to the Colbert Report will be gone next year, but the Mets need to just pick a jersey and stick with it. Constantly bouncing between multiple combinations makes them look bush league. "

This has been a year to forget - pretty well summed up by SI above. I hope the Mets can just get back to basics.


And wasn't SI the same A HOLES who picked us to win the the World Series?
:shrug:

[dstoffa]

From SI.com the final power rankings:

"They've already started with their rebuilding plan for next year. The team is considering uniform changes for 2010 that would get rid of the pinstripes they've had for their entire 48-year history and perhaps go with a cream, rather than white jersey. Fail and fail. Thankfully the Citi Field/Domino's pizza patch that was mocked from the blogosphere to the Colbert Report will be gone next year, but the Mets need to just pick a jersey and stick with it. Constantly bouncing between multiple combinations makes them look bush league. "

This has been a year to forget - pretty well summed up by SI above. I hope the Mets can just get back to basics.

The only reason to change jerseys is to entice people to buy them. If they change, they can drum up sales in the shopping mall / Citi Field, which brings them revenue. If they never changed jerseys, nobody but new fans would buy. And in these times, the Mets have a hard time recruiting new fans.

Keep it simple, like running out fly balls.

Home whites, with pinstripes. Blue cap, with orange NY -- NO ORANGE BUTTON (Stop being like the Dodgers w/ their white button on the cap)

Road greys circa 1973. Blue cap, same as the home one.

GET RID OF THE BLACK TRIM!!!!!

Cheers!
-Doug

[NYMfanChris]

if i was to move home plate it would only be about 5 feet towards centerfield

[RayNY]

if i was to move home plate it would only be about 5 feet towards centerfield

I agree. 5-7 feet sounds reasonable. 10 feet seems a bit overboard.

[grimthorpe]

if it can help the franchise player hit more homers
im in favor of doing it

I'm really getting sick of this. Sure, let's scrub our plans to build a pitcher's park so one guy - one guy - can tally some cheap home runs. So what if the opposition hits even more and we still lose? Hey, as long as our guy is happy, right?

I'm afraid this year revealed more about David Wright than it did the ballpark. Just look at the opposition HR totals at Citi this year.

I like what Joel Sherman wrote about this: "Isn’t the real problem that the Mets simply did not have many homer threats this year? Can we not assume that if Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and even Jose Reyes had been around for a whole season the Mets would have generated another 20-25 homers at Citi Field alone, and that would have negated this story angle?

In this piece, the author notes that the sixth fewest homers in the majors were hit at Citi Field this year. In other words, Citi Field was not the hardest place to hit a homer, just the hardest place for the Mets. Again, if the Mets had their normal group and Citi Field would have ranked say in the middle of the pack would we be having this conversation.

At another point, feeling David Wright’s round-tripper pain, the author cites a homer tracking web site that claims Wright “hit nine drives that would have been home runs at Shea but did not clear Citi Field’s high and distant walls.” But another point in the piece, the author also cites the same homer tracker to say that “nine fly balls hit off (Johan Santana) that stayed inside (Citi Field) would have been home runs at Shea.”

Let’s get back to that simple math. Nine minus nine equals zero. So in other words what is good for Wright would be – at best – neutral for the Mets, and terrible for Santana, who is by far the Mets’ most expensive player and most important player. And whether the author realizes it or not, the idea is to actually win the games not to play home run derby. Also, let’s not forget that every pitcher on the Mets’ mostly fly ball staff is inferior to Santana and if Santana is giving up an extra nine homers with shorter distances what might the totals be against others? Also, extra homers against Santana probably means shorter outings for him, which means the Mets have to use more of those inferior pitches and give up even more homers.

In addition, the author writes that “Wright’s power numbers were also down on the road.” Indeed, Wright has five homers on the road, the same as at home. The simple math again is five minus five equal zero, or that Wright was the same homer guy away from home as at home. The author espouses the theory that the home stadium frustrated him and Wright carried a bad swing onto the road. That may be true. But that suggests a failing of Wright, not the park. Yankee pitchers had to learn over the year to cope with a smaller home stadium, and for the most part did. That Wright didn’t adjust well to his stadium is not a reason to hurt the Mets’ pitching staff by shortening the distance for a homer. This is about Wright.

Power hitters such as Mark Reynolds and Chase Utley came into Citi Field and had no problem clearing the fence as is. If the Mets are interested in hitting more homers, my advice would be to employ more homer hitters."

[Astros]

The only reason to change jerseys is to entice people to buy them. If they change, they can drum up sales in the shopping mall / Citi Field, which brings them revenue. If they never changed jerseys, nobody but new fans would buy. And in these times, the Mets have a hard time recruiting new fans.

Keep it simple, like running out fly balls.

Home whites, with pinstripes. Blue cap, with orange NY -- NO ORANGE BUTTON (Stop being like the Dodgers w/ their white button on the cap)

Road greys circa 1973. Blue cap, same as the home one.

GET RID OF THE BLACK TRIM!!!!!

Cheers!

-Doug

All 2010 jersey changes have been submitted and I'm willing to bet everything that the Mets are making a change to what they call a "home uniform". I'm not saying they are getting rid of anything but what they call their home uniform may change. I would not be any bit surprised.

[johnql]

Just got back from my first game at CF since getting back from a 2-week vacation, so I'm still catching up. Forgive me if some of these pics have already been posted.

Shots of the banners in front of the CF rotunda/Fanwalk area.

[johnql]

Remaining banners in front of the Rotunda/Fanwalk area.






New divisional standings on the out-of-town scoreboard. The print is a bit small but it's still a good idea.

[Gary Dunaier]

New divisional standings on the out-of-town scoreboard. The print is a bit small but it's still a good idea.

Is each line an alternating color or is that a camera peculiarity? When I saw it 9/22 it was all one color. Agree with you that the print is too small to be of any use but maybe the alternating color was added to help fix that.

[johnql]

Is each line an alternating color or is that a camera peculiarity? When I saw it 9/22 it was all one color. Agree with you that the print is too small to be of any use but maybe the alternating color was added to help fix that.

It alternates between white and yellow.

[Paul W]

welcome to the jeffey-ized ny mets! he's putting his stamp on the franchise - gasp!
irony is that the old man is obsessed with the dodgers and the son seems to be with the gi-ants (uni's & b'park - complete with expensive seats and crummy weather, in '09 at least).

p.s. - remember "show up at shea!"? - that was a "jeffey"...

more evidence from others of the gi-ants obsession ny jeffey...

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/Pinstriped-Uniforms-Become-Scapegoat-for-Mets-Season-62617202.html

"...The off-white color would likely wind up looking a lot like the style currently worn by the Giants, which should certainly tick-off the people who hated how much the new ballpark honored the two teams that preceded the Mets as New York National League teams..."

[Jbutta29]

Rough Season, but i'll be rooting for us Next season like always. this is my team, no quitting on them.

[nymdan]

more evidence from others of the gi-ants obsession ny jeffey...

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/Pinstriped-Uniforms-Become-Scapegoat-for-Mets-Season-62617202.html

"...The off-white color would likely wind up looking a lot like the style currently worn by the Giants, which should certainly tick-off the people who hated how much the new ballpark honored the two teams that preceded the Mets as New York National League teams..."
I'll have to see the new uniforms to judge whether I like them or not, but let's not pretend the Mets have never had cream colored uniforms themselves.

[DaBigMotor]

I'll have to see the new uniforms to judge whether I like them or not, but let's not pretend the Mets have never had cream colored uniforms themselves.
I've read that they're "contemplating" these changes for next season, and one article I've read says they're contemplating ditching the pinstripes, which they've inexplicably relegated to secondary status, all together.

Unless the rules have changed, didn't they have to announce any decision to change the uniforms for next season by April or May?

The kicker in all this, is the idea that getting rid of the pinstripes, which they've worn their ENTIRE existence - and which most fans seem to prefer, while keeping the black in the unis, which more fans seem to dislike than like - is apparently considered a "retro" stroke of marketing brilliance.

I haven't seen such marketing since Burger King's "Herb," and "New Coke."

Maybe I can get an audience with the Wilpons and seek financing for "Ishtar 2," or maybe a reboot of "Hello Larry."

[Saltzy23]

I'll have to see the new uniforms to judge whether I like them or not, but let's not pretend the Mets have never had cream colored uniforms themselves.

Sorry, I just have to ask...

What the hell kind of a handshake is that???

Looks like Piazza is giving him the ol' tickle-tickle job...

Shesus Mike. You're a freaking HOF'r...shake hands like a man!

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

I agree. 5-7 feet sounds reasonable. 10 feet seems a bit overboard.

5-7 is agreeable. Do most folks on here realize that Citi Field is actually larger than Shea's field? That's total area, including warning track, all the way round, inward.

[Jim Vaz]

This long painful season FINALLY comes to an end!
:yawn:

[Strawman]

Quite separate from what needs to happen with personnel, the Mets have to make serious changes to again draw over 3 million fans in 2010 to Citi Field. We know the management reads this thread, so here are my suggestions - hope everyone adds theirs asap:

1. Cut down on class discrimination - this is the Mets, a National League team, with a smaller stadium and a more working-class bridge and tunnel history. Yet there's more segregation in moving around the park than even at Yankee Stadium with its odious moat. The stack of clubs behind home plate and the strange, almost European "excelsior/Caesar" level should be adjusted in some way - it's just too much, it looks bad, and it makes the Wilpon family appear to be a bunch of elitist plutocrats - far, far above their fan base. I suspect that both the Promenade (you mean upper deck, don't you?) Club and the Caesar's Club lose money on a square foot retail basis. Open 'em up. And take down those "VIP" entrance signs outside - for crissakes, this isn't some mob-owned Vegas casino, it's a National League New York baseball stadium. Blech.

An addendum: never close a "public" area for a private party. Yes, we mean the bullpen/apple picnic area - where the exclusionary staff is also incredibly nasty about it.

2. Fix the bullpens - hideous. Enough said.

3. Fix whatever siteline problems you can, including the plexiglass partitions.

4. Expand the mission of the beautiful and well-named Jackie Robinson Rotunda, still one of the best public spaces to open in NYC in recent memory. Jackie seems lonely, I think - he's an icon of New York NL baseball, the most important NL player every to put on a uniform in this town. So make it more a celebration of that heritage: include the Dodger, Giants and, of course, the Mets.

5. Concentrate of building the traditional brand. More blue, less black. I don't mean the walls or seats - I like 'em. I mean signage and most of al, the uniforms. Get rid of all black in Mets branding - go back to a uniform that was on par with the Yankees, Dodgers, and Cardinals for classic design.

6. Bring back Fan Appreciation Day - obscene that today's game (this weekend series, in fact) didn't feature traditional activities and give-aways, outside of the FST stuff. I was there today and there almost nothing extra. Even in the Dave Kingman era, there was a a give-away and prizes.

7. Mandatory autographs by at least 10 players for every home game - field level seats, BP picnic area, Rotunda at a minimum.

8. A better advertising outside schema that features a better quality of display ad and more (traditional) Mets branding.

What else you got?

[grimthorpe]

5-7 is agreeable. Do most folks on here realize that Citi Field is actually larger than Shea's field? That's total area, including warning track, all the way round, inward.

0' is also quite reasonable. I like what Joel Sherman had to write about this suggestion. I apologize for posting it twice but I think the main points are highly salient. I especially like his comment about Wright towards the end of the piece, which I've placed in bold print, along with some other comments.

And let's not hold up Shea as a model pitcher's park. Some years it was but other years it actually played neutral. I think it suppressed home runs to left, especially at certain times of the year, because of the wind blowing in over the bleachers, a phenomenon that does not apply at Citi. Just leave the place alone and see what happens when we (hopefully) put a normal team on the field next year.


1. This morning in the New York Times sports section there is this piece championing the moving of home plate 10 feet forward as a way to make it easier for the Mets to hit homers. This may indeed be a good idea. This piece, however, does nothing to persuade me that it would be a good idea to do so, particularly because it would make it easier for the Mets’ opponents to hit homers, as well.

This sentence appears in the story: “The Mets have the fewest home runs at home of any team in the majors this season with 47, and also have the fewest home runs over all, with 93.”

Let’s do some simple math: 93 minus 47 equals 46. In other words, at all the other stadiums – some of them quite attractive for long balls – the Mets actually hit fewer homers than they did at home. So is the answer when the Mets play to move home plate forward 10 feet in every other stadium?

Isn’t the real problem that the Mets simply did not have many homer threats this year? Can we not assume that if Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and even Jose Reyes had been around for a whole season the Mets would have generated another 20-25 homers at Citi Field alone, and that would have negated this story angle?

In this piece, the author notes that the sixth fewest homers in the majors were hit at Citi Field this year. In other words, Citi Field was not the hardest place to hit a homer, just the hardest place for the Mets. Again, if the Mets had their normal group and Citi Field would have ranked say in the middle of the pack would we be having this conversation.

At another point, feeling David Wright’s round-tripper pain, the author cites a homer tracking web site that claims Wright “hit nine drives that would have been home runs at Shea but did not clear Citi Field’s high and distant walls.” But another point in the piece, the author also cites the same homer tracker to say that “nine fly balls hit off (Johan Santana) that stayed inside (Citi Field) would have been home runs at Shea.”

Let’s get back to that simple math. Nine minus nine equals zero. So in other words what is good for Wright would be – at best – neutral for the Mets, and terrible for Santana, who is by far the Mets’ most expensive player and most important player. And whether the author realizes it or not, the idea is to actually win the games not to play home run derby. Also, let’s not forget that every pitcher on the Mets’ mostly fly ball staff is inferior to Santana and if Santana is giving up an extra nine homers with shorter distances what might the totals be against others? Also, extra homers against Santana probably means shorter outings for him, which means the Mets have to use more of those inferior pitches and give up even more homers.

In addition, the author writes that “Wright’s power numbers were also down on the road.” Indeed, Wright has five homers on the road, the same as at home. The simple math again is five minus five equal zero, or that Wright was the same homer guy away from home as at home. The author espouses the theory that the home stadium frustrated him and Wright carried a bad swing onto the road. That may be true. But that suggests a failing of Wright, not the park. Yankee pitchers had to learn over the year to cope with a smaller home stadium, and for the most part did. That Wright didn’t adjust well to his stadium is not a reason to hurt the Mets’ pitching staff by shortening the distance for a homer. This is about Wright.

Power hitters such as Mark Reynolds and Chase Utley came into Citi Field and had no problem clearing the fence as is. If the Mets are interested in hitting more homers, my advice would be to employ more homer hitters.

[BMF]

and with that I exhale:highfive:

[nymdan]

I was in 519, row 1 today. Seat 4 was annoying with the plexiglass, but the railing was the bigger issue. I'd much rather be in row 2 or 3.

[peterrod16]

i just want to thank all the members who i have met this season.
here are some pics from todays game

[LINYUSA]

I actually didn't either until I watch them reshow it on MLB network. It was very cool.

I watched it LIVE - Lidsney Nelson did a tremendous, memorable job - it was one of his best performances!

:homeplate: :baseball:

[BayonneMetsfan]

So now that the season is over when do the workers show up to start removing the seats and dismantling the outfield fence? :rolleyes:

[BMF]

not to go off topic but how come yankee stadium is still standing when they went all out to take down shea.

[mets16]

not to go off topic but how come yankee stadium is still standing when they went all out to take down shea.

I personally preferred the way Shea was taken down. It was quick and painless. I would hate to go to Mets games this year seeing Shea being taken apart.

[AJbaseball00024]

Despite all of the troubles this season, I will still go to Citi Field next year and cheer the team on. I love football and basketball and other sports, but I cannot wait for spring of next year. Lets go Mets 2010!

[NYBase]

not to go off topic but how come yankee stadium is still standing when they went all out to take down shea.

I hate to say it but it's probably because you can't make money off what will stand when YS is gone. The parking lot that used to be Shea brings money, playgrounds don't.... therefore prompt dismantling.

[Gary Dunaier]

An addendum: never close a "public" area for a private party. Yes, we mean the bullpen/apple picnic area - where the exclusionary staff is also incredibly nasty about it.

Yesterday, the final game of the season, the Bullpen Plaza was once again closed for a private party. :banghead:


Expand the mission of the beautiful and well-named Jackie Robinson Rotunda, still one of the best public spaces to open in NYC in recent memory.

I don't consider the Jackie Robinson Rotunda to be a "public" space because 1) it's not open to the public on a daily basis, and when it is open 2) you have to pay admission to enter it.

[Raza]

Now the season has come to an end, I'd like to thank everyone for their contributions to this thread. For me, living in Europe, it's a great way to stay in touch with CF and the vibe among the Mets fan base. I really like all the pictures and stories from people who went to a game. I'm glad the admins allow the talk about subjects which aren't strictly CF related.

Last winter was great with all the updates about Shea and CF. Please post a few pictures this winter too. I beg you! Doesn't matter if there's nothing new. A snapshot with your mobile phone from the 7 train is good enough for me.

Let's go Mets!

[SteveJRogers]

I hate to say it but it's probably because you can't make money off what will stand when YS is gone. The parking lot that used to be Shea brings money, playgrounds don't.... therefore prompt dismantling.

Not to mention that Citi Field's construction did cut off the flow of Shea's parking for about two and a half years. Better to cut off the flow of Citi's parking for a couple of months rather than taking roughly the same amount of time Shea's parking situation was crazier than usual.

[SteveJRogers]

Remaining banners in front of the Rotunda/Fanwalk area.

Hmmm, I missed those guys coming in yesterday. Where are they, over by the train enterance?

Interesting selection, and it seems they've doubled up a couple of the players from the banners alongside the third and first base lines.

[johnql]

Hmmm, I missed those guys coming in yesterday. Where are they, over by the train enterance?

Interesting selection, and it seems they've doubled up a couple of the players from the banners alongside the third and first base lines.

All the new banners are on the lamp posts between the Rotunda and the subway.