The Mafia’s Team?
While some ignoramuses accuse Omar Minaya of favoring latino ballplayers (no, we’re not going there, not ever), MopUpDuty wonders if J.P. Ricciardi’s reign with the Toronto Blue Jays was focused on building an all-Italian team
Metsgrrl reveals the results of her in-depth survey researching why Mets fans are not renewing their ticket plans.
On a related subject, Dan Twohig at MetsPolice received an answer from the Mets regarding his letter to Fred Wilpon
24 Hours from Suicide asks Omar Minaya not to “jump the gun” on Bengie Molina, noting the availability of Dioner Navarro
In contrast, Ed at MetsFever makes clear he’s in support of Bengie Molina
Is MLB Killing Its Future Fan Base?
Many Major League Baseball fans can trace their allegiance to fond memories from their childhood — visiting a big league stadium and falling in love with the drama on the field. It was those early trips to the ballpark that instilled fanaticism on impressionable young children — and created passionate, lifelong baseball fans.
But what happens if Read more
Wilpon: Citi Field Criticism Unfair
Much has been said about the lack of Mets history at Citi Field — not only from here, but throughout the Mets blogosphere. Many fans have felt that the park is an homage to Fred Wilpon’s beloved Brooklyn Dodgers — underscored by the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.
Some may have missed this following tidbit from Mike Francesa’s recent interview with Jeff Wilpon.
Mike Francesa:
“Did feel that any of the criticism you received … from me or anybody else … do you think there was anything — criticism — that was unfair this year or your team?”
Jeff Wilpon:
“Not the team but maybe about the ballpark, because I don’t think we did anything to slap anybody in the face. It wasn’t something where we said ‘gee, we’re going to honor the Brooklyn Dodgers but we’re not gonna honor the Mets or the Mets history’. So I think that is the only thing that was said that was unfair. We’re going to make the changes now to correct it, because it is a proper criticism.”
Huh?
Help me out, folks. Is it possible for UNfair criticism to also be classified as “proper criticism” — in the same sentence?
I suppose it’s good that the issue is being “corrected” — even if it was unfair, or proper, or both(?)
Since this is the way the leader of the franchise addresses and explains issues, it’s now clear why we get similarly confusing doubletalk from the underlings, such as Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel — perhaps everyone in the organization is expected to practice the art of “Wilponspeak”.
Cheap Seats at Citi Field
With the economy in a tailspin, unemployment through the roof, and diehard fans unable to partake in their favorite pastime due to money woes, the New York Mets have made the gracious and humane gesture of lowering the price of some tickets by 15%.
Now, you negative Nellies out there will be quick to point out the losing season, uninspired play, and overall degraded “product on the field” as a good reason to offer a discount. The worst of you likely are saying the Mets have instituted this charitable deduction as a means to stimulate sluggish ticket sales. Well, the whole lot of you can go Read more
Jerry Manuel Likes Citi Field
After last night’s ballgame, and during the postgame show on SNY, Mets manager Jerry Manuel was asked how Citi Field “played”, and whether he thought the expansive park was “fair”.
Jerry’s response:
“I like the park …. I like it …. I like the park … I like the way the park plays … I like the park … I like it …”
Brings back memories of Mikey and Life cereal, doesn’t it?
So, for those trying to decipher the message “between the lines”, it appears that Jerry Manuel likes Citi Field.
Or, perhaps he really likes his job, and knows what to say to retain his paycheck.
Link Roundup
MetsPolice has a big list of Citi Field seats with obstructed views. But hey, we’re all just a bunch of whiners who don’t appreciate what the Wilpons gave us, right?
Speaking of the stadium, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Gazette discusses the influence of PNC Park on Citi Field. And the similarities only being with bank sponsorship.
Hat tip to Matthew Artus of Always Amazin’ for the previous link. Matthew also examines the catching situation once Brian Schneider comes off the DL.
Disgruntled Mets Fan has a blog name that engages my heart. DMF spotlights reliever Sean Greenenweis, and he also posted the below video:
Link Roundup
Doug Glanville gives an update on Marlon Anderson.
At Jimmy Scott’s High and Tight, former Met Eric Valent tells the story of being the 25th man on the roster, playing in Japan, and, eventually, transitioning from player to coach to scout. Insightful stuff.
Brad Lidge is nursing a sore knee and is “day to day”. That could be good news for the Mets, with the Phillies series coming up this weekend.
Kerel Cooper at OnTheBlack explains why the Mets’ weekend series win over the Nationals left him disappointed.
Metstradamus explains how you can have a Citi Field ticket for a seat that doesn’t exist — though you will have a cupholder.
Coop at MySummerFamily isn’t worried about Oliver Perez’s maddening start to the season — explaining that he started out just as inconsistently in ‘08 and ‘07, and is bound to come around.
Andrew Vazzano of TheRopolitans posts the results of his Twitter poll, “What to Do with Omir Santos?”
NY Post: Dopey Mets Want to Erase Dwight’s Citi Autograph
Memo to the Mets: ERASE THIS!
The NY Post’s George Willis is reporting that the Mets are up to their old tricks:
WHEN Dwight “Doc” Gooden attended the Mets’ Opening Day ceremonies at Citi Field last week, he stopped by the Ebbets Club along the first-base line and mingled with fans who cheered him during his Mets career. He shook hands, took pictures and signed autographs.
Someone thought it would be a nice idea if one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history signed a blank gray wall next to the bar. Gooden obliged, taking a black Sharpie and writing in script “Doc Gooden 84 R.O.Y., 85 Cy Young, 86 W.S. Champs.”
Gooden took a picture next to the signature, and so did countless fans lucky enough to afford the price of a ticket that allows them access to the club.
But now the Mets – who have been criticized for not showcasing enough of their history in their new ballpark – plan to erase Gooden’s signature from the wall, treating it as if it were unwanted graffiti.
Read the whole article here. Granted, it’s a little strange that Gooden autographed a wall, but it’s not like he could have posed for pictures in front of a photograph of himself or the ‘86 Mets – from what I’ve heard, those photographs are nowhere to be found at the new ballpark.
When you think about it, it’s amazing that Gooden is still alive, much less visiting the new ballpark and interacting with fans. Leave it to Mets management to step in and screw it up.
The fact is, Gooden DID autograph the wall and now that it is there, it should be left alone. It should be allowed to become part of the stadium and part of the team’s history. The minutiae and folklore of this team – like skydivers, black cats and Bill Buckner – are created and shared by players and fans. Ownership can build the ballpark, assemble a roster and sell the tickets, but they can’t control the memories. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they are trying to do.
Citi Field Firsts
It was not the most auspicious start for a new ballpark — at least, not for the home team — but the list of “firsts” has already begun. Print this out and keep it handy for future trivia buff gatherings.
First Pitch: Mike Pelfrey
First Homerun: Jody Gerut (also first hit, first run, and first RBI)
First Mets Homerun: David Wright
First Mets Hit: David Wright (double)
First Mets Run: Brian Schneider
First Mets RBI: Luis Castillo
First Double: David Wright
First Triple: ** still waiting **
First Strikeout: Nick Hundley, by Mike Pelfrey
First Walk: Chase Headley, by Mike Pelfrey
First Pinch-Hitter: Gary Sheffield
First Pinch-Hit: Jeremy Reed
First Balk: Pedro Feliciano
First Wild Pitch: J.J. Putz
First Error: Ryan Church
First Win: Edward Mujica, Padres
First Save: Heath Bell
First Hold: (tie) Edwin Moreno, Duaner Sanchez
First Loss: Brian Stokes, Mets
First Drunken Guest in the Broadcast Booth: Tom Seaver
First Player Booed: Heath Bell
First Player to Receive Standing Ovation: Danny Murphy (for catching a routine fly ball)
First Fall for No Apparent Reason: Mike Pelfrey
First Bleeding Heart Liberal Narcissistic Celebrity Interview by Kevin Burkhardt: Tim Robbins
First Bad Shea Stadium Memory Retold by a Bleeding Heart Liberal Narcissistic Celebrity: Tim Robbins
First animal to set foot on the field: Feline
First Fans to Sit in Bernie Madoff’s Seats: “Kurt” and son “Mike”
Citi Field: First Look
The good, the bad, and the ugly of Citi Field, brought to you in pictures. View the photos, read my remarks, and form your own opinion … or wait another two weeks and try to scalp a ticket so you can see the place for yourself.
Thanks to fellow blogger Andrew Vazzano of TheRopolitans, I was able to attend the very first baseball game ever played at Citi Field, between the St. John’s Red Storm and the Georgetown Hoyas.
While there, I took a bunch of pictures to give you an idea of what the new stadium is like. Unfortunately, the day was dreary, with gray skies and a constant mist, so all the photos came out similarly drab and colorless. Since there have been several photo and video “tours” on other blogs, I’ve tried to assemble more esoteric points of interest around the park.
What was most strange about this day was that it is likely the only time the stadium will look so sparse of spectators, despite being a sellout. All 42,000 seats were sold — within 45 minutes of going on sale on the internet — yet the majority of folks were walking around the inner guts of the stadium to check everything out rather than sitting in their seats.
All photos have been published as a series, and this is article number one. More than 20 photos and descriptions are included, to guide you through this virtual tour of Citi Field on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Click the links below this post to navigate through.
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