We're Going Streaking!

There are many things in life that I have a very strong opinion on (i.e. restaurants, buying medicine, sports).  However, one thing that I am still undecided on in streaking.  I can't figure out if it is hysterical, asinine, or somewhere in between.  I think it's really a case by case basis, and in this case, this guy did it the right way:

I bring this up because on Tuesday night, this guy became the first streaker in Citifield history.  I think he did a fantastic job for 3 reasons:

1.  It looks like he waited for a foul ball to come his way before he derobed and made a run for it.  His timing was deliberate and impeccable.  This maximized his exposure and allowed for the most people to appreciate his performance.

2.  He slid into 2nd base naked.  Do you know how much that must hurt?  He is going to be finding dirt in some disturbing places for weeks to come.

3.  He surrendered in the outfield.  He didn't fight back or cause a problem.  He accomplished what he set out to do, made the most of it, and knew when his time was up.  It was a graceful exit.

What do you think went on behind the scenes after this guy was removed?  You think Omar interrogated him with a single light bulb shining over his head?  Did they send Gary Sheffield in to teach him a lesson?  Did Castillo show fake bunt?  All I know is, this act was premeditated and executed perfectly.  Well done.

Welcome to Citifield, home of the Binghamton, I mean New York, Mets

Last night I went to Citifield for the 2nd time. Don't get me wrong, I love this park, but for many reasons I felt like I was at a minor league baseball game.

First off, you have to see the signs and advertisements at the stadium. It is hysterical. The following is a sampling of Mets sponsors that bought ad space on the scoreboard and outfield wall:

Bob's Discount Furniture
Buy and Sell Gold- U.S. Coins.com
freecreditreport.com
Spongetech
Alliance Building Services
Arpielle Equipment
Titan Motor Group

Ok, I know we are in a recession, but what the heck is going on here? I guess the days of AIG, Chase, etc. are gone. But is freecreditreport.com and buy and sell gold really doing that well that they are able to afford signage and Citifield? Is the business at Bob's Discount Furniture really booming that much? I'm shocked that we didn't see an ad for my neighbor's garage sale on the board. Seth and I were cracking up at these advertisers- way to bring in the big boys. If this is an indicator of our economy, we are all screwed.

Other reasons why this felt like a minor league game:

1. A cat ran out on the field
2. Mike Pelfrey fell down throwing a pitch
3. The winning run was decided by a balk

It was a very memorable day, and is always one of the best days of the year for me, but these things were very funny last night and just created a sort of strange vibe. I love this stadium, but if you really want to walk around and try the food, you have to go to a game that is not as high profile. I would recommend trying a weeknight during the summer against the Nationals or something. Then it will REALLY feel like a minor league game.

Event #5: Citifield

I had been waiting for this for over two years:  the opening of Citifield.  There are not many times in life when you can anticipate something so much and yet still be shocked having underestimated the excitement of it all, and yet this is what happened for me on Sunday when I went to Citifield.

I know I am partial, but Citifield is the most beautiful baseball stadium I have ever seen.  The architecture is classy yet dramatic.  I love the green steel against the burnt color of the brick.  The wide open walkways opening up onto the bright green grass.  Plasma TVs scatter the stadium, combining a modern feel while the park feels old and traditional.  There are so many open areas to sit, eat, drink, hangout, talk, and mingle.  It is just a welcoming atmosphere that promotes socializing, relaxing, and enjoying yourself.

There are amazing new features such as as a kids area with a dunk tank, mini baseball field, and batting cage, bars scattered around so you can have a drink while watching the game without being stuck in your seats, fantastic restaurants and lounges and more.  However, there are great memories of Shea, with the old home run apple on display and the skyline on top of the old scoreboard placed on top of the gourmet food stands.  A mix of old and new.

And now for a topic on its own- the food.  WOW!  My goal was to sample as much as possible, and I think I did what I came to do.  We tried the old bay fries with cheddar dipping sauce from the seafood stand, a shake shack burger and hot dog (incredible), a slice of the Grandma pizza (no words to describe this, one of the best slices I have had...I promise), and the taco sampler (the flank steak one was the best).  I didn't get around to the Blue Smoke stand- I will 

save that one for Opening Day.  There were a million more things I wanted to try, including the belgium french fry stand, the sausage stand, and a shake shack shake.  All in good time.

I don't care if you like baseball or not- you need to come see this stadium.  There is something for everyone.  You can just come for dinner, to walk around, and grab drinks with friends at one of the many outdoor sports bars.  The Mets really nailed this one, a fantastic job.  I can't wait to go back for opening day- T minus one week.

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

It may have been an eyesore, but I loved it. It may have looked like a blue and orange toilet bowl in Queens, it may have been cold and concrete and lacked character with its zig-zagging exits and florescent lights in the shape of ballplayers, it may not have had the "history" or the "tradition" of baseball's "cathedral" in the Bronx (please note the quotes), but I loved it. To me, Shea Stadium was like a second home- a place with many memories. A place where I cheered when the Mets clinched the 2006 NL East, later cried after game 7 of the 2006 NLCS (and so being a Mets fan goes), a place where I drank one of my first beers, lost my voice, was surprised by my grandparents, felt the stadium rock quite literally at Billy Joel (two nights in a row), watched Matt Franco have the game winning hit off Mariano when the regular season Subway Series actually equivocated to my pride and dignity in middle school, watched John Maine almost throw a no-hitter only for Glavine to wipe away that excitement within 24 hours (and so being a Mets fan goes), screamed "Laaaarrrry", watched the sun set for the final time on Shea Stadium as a horrific day turned into an electric night as Seaver threw the stadium's final pitch to Piazza at the "Last Game at Shea", watched games with family, JLC, home friends, college friends, my employer and back and forth. Today, the stadium where this all took place was brought to the ground.

I loved Shea, despite that everyone told me it was one of the worst stadiums in baseball. Today is a sad day, but the opening of Citifield will soon take this old friend's place, creating a new place where memories will be made and cherished. Here's to the 2009 baseball season- a clean slate.

I am Now a Citifield Ticket Holder

As of this morning at 9:17 am I am proud to call myself a Citifield Ticket Holder. I purchased a 15 game weekend package from Mets sales representative Pedro Urbaez. Per the Mets site, this package consists of the following:

Three (3) Friday, three (3) Saturday, three (3) Sunday, and six (6) weekday regular season games to be played at Citi Field -starting April 15- and features three battles with the Phillies, plus matchups with the N.L. West Champion Dodgers, Cubs, Rays and the final regular season game against the Astros.

My seats are in the Promenade Reserve Infield- Section 519, Row 15, Seats 9 and 10. These are very close to home plate, between home and 3rd. Although they are in the 3rd from last row of the stadium, I still think they will be great as I find being close to home plate is what is most important. I can't wait to see this new stadium and I hope that this package will allow me to get to know the stadium better and quickly allow myself to find my way around. Can't wait to see the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, the brick with my family's names on it out front, the Blue Smoke/Taqueria/Shake Shack, and the new home run apple!

If there is a specific game that you have interest in, let me know now so that I can reserve your seat!

Mets Off-Season

I am an absolutely huge Mets fan. An obsessive Mets fan is more like it. I have a baby shirt of the Mets 1986 world championship. My Dad was at the first Met game at Shea Stadium. It is in my blood.

Its been quite a run for the past few years. I keep saying each year and tragic loss that passes will make it that much sweeter. Hopefully I am right. I was at game 7 of the NLCS in 2006 when the Mets blew it to the Cardinals (the game with Endy's catch). I was at John Maine's near no-hitter in the second to last game of the season in 2007 (Glavine's stellar outing was the following game). I was at The Last Game at Shea this year, which despite the loss was a pretty cool experience. I'm going to miss Shea- a lot of great memories. I kind of grew up there. Seeing pictures of it dismantled is pretty crazy, but I can't wait for CitiTaxpayerField.

In fact, over Thanksgiving weekend my Dad, brother, and I bought tickets for opening day. My Dad can now say he was at first/last at Shea, and first at CitiField. Pretty cool.

So what the heck should the Mets do now that its the offseason? Here is my game plan:

Bullpen: Sign Wood or K-Rod to a 3 year deal. K-Rod is only 26. Its the length that worries me, so if we can get him for 3 years, I think its a no brainer. Fuentes makes me nervous- he's lost the closer job before. Sign some strong middle reliever arms- Juan Cruz, Joe Beimel, Brandon Lyon. I'd almost rather trade for a young, live arm than sign a free agent. Its all about power these days, and guys like that come out of nowhere sometimes (Grant Balfour on the Rays comes to mind).

Outfield: We have a great offense. We just need a solid middle of the order bat. I like Raul Ibanez, and given the surplus of outfielders this year, I think we can get him for a reasonable deal.

2nd Base: Castillo has to go. He promises he will be in better shape this year? He should have thought of that before he gave up on last season. Talk about a fat and happy free agent. Sign Orlando Hudson. Eat Castillo's contract.

Starters: We need to replace Ollie, and we need a #5. For the #5, sign the cheapest out of Garland, Byrd, or Wolf to push Niese. Someone always gets hurt- might as well have 6 guys to throw out there. As for the #2, I like Sheets and Lowe. To me, Burnett has no track record. Sheets has a track record- he's injury prone. But when he's healthy he's an ace- more so than Burnett. If I'm going to take a risk, it is Sheets. He is the kind of guy that can put you over the top. I like Lowe a lot for the Mets- great sinker, reliable. It is all about the contract though, and I have a feeling he is going to be too pricey.

Lineup: Reyes, Hudson, Wright, Beltran, Delgado, Ibanez, Church, Schneider
Rotation: Santana, Sheets/Lowe, Maine, Pelfrey, Garland/Byrd/Wolf/Niese
Bullpen: K-Rod/Wood, Juan Cruz, Beimel/Lyon, Smith, Feliciano, Stokes

I like it. I can already taste the BBQ, taquitos, and shakes...uh, I mean hot dogs, beer, and peanuts (we will still be able to get that stuff right). CitiTaxpayerField, here I come!