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Home Opener IGT - San Diego Padres @ New York Mets

metirish Apr 13 2009 07:10 AM

The question was asked , who would do it. I left it out there until I could wait no more. I have stepped up to the plate as it were to deliver what I hope to be a winning IGT. Has ever a Home Opener been more anticipated? , yes of course it has but tonight we Christen a new park( don't say stadium because Jeff doesn't want that) Santana will not be there as his wife is preggers and birth will be induced today in Florida. Seaver says he is more excited about this first pitch than the first pitch to close Shea. Mr. Seaver says he hopes he can throw it the 60 feet six inches and that it's a strike. I find it a bit sad to hear him talk like that.

bmfc1 Apr 13 2009 07:34 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 13 2009 08:53 AM

If Daniel Murphy is at the birth, he'll drop the baby. HI-YO!

metirish Apr 13 2009 07:46 AM

As long as Murphy tries his best it's OK.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 07:58 AM

Muffy (alert Vladius, I made a hilarious nickname) didn't appear to be trying his best at all on that play. It was lazy. He makes too many more of those kinda goofs and I'll be up for starting Reed when Santana or Perez goes.

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 08:06 AM

Mike Pelfrey is to be Citi Field's Jack Fisher. Lets hope there is no Tony Conigliaro in Pelfrey's future three years from now!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 08:10 AM

In-IGT Firsts Contest. BOTH TEAMS INCLUDED! First Hit: First double: First Triple: First Home Run: First walk drawn First strikeout Victim: First run scored: First Met booed:

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 08:23 AM

First Hit: murphy First double: church First Triple: reyes First Home Run: wright First walk drawn: reyes First strikeout Victim: giles First run scored: reyes First Met booed: castillo

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 08:32 AM

If a Met stepped up in Sept. '07 and '08 like Irish stepped up here, we'd be sorting through our great variety of playoff t-shirts right now. I don't know that Murphy didn't try to catch it. I think he was lost. That's a tough outfield for day games. I remember it doing in Alex Ochoa in Sept. '95 in a similarly embarrassing fashion. He should use two hands and all, but I don't think it was a lack of effort as much as a lack of judgment and experience. Calling Coach Shines and his magic fungo...

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 08:39 AM

Pregame Festivities: Seaver and Piazza for first pitch. Other Mets: Doc, Darryl, Rusty, John Franco plus Ralph Kiner. National anthem to be sung by cast of "West Side Story." 200 Veterans presenting the giant flag during the anthem. Flyover of four US Marine F18 Hornets.

metirish Apr 13 2009 08:40 AM

G-Fafif wrote: If a Met stepped up in Sept. '07 and '08 like Irish stepped up here, we'd be sorting through our great variety of playoff t-shirts right now. Instead unknown kids in far flung places all over the third world are wearing them.

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 08:40 AM

First Hit: Reyes First double: Church, of course First Triple: None today First Home Run: Delgado First walk drawn: Beltran First strikeout Victim: Adrian Gonzalez First run scored: Reyes First Met booed: Castillo

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 08:44 AM

metirish wrote: ="G-Fafif"]If a Met stepped up in Sept. '07 and '08 like Irish stepped up here, we'd be sorting through our great variety of playoff t-shirts right now. Instead unknown kids in far flung places all over the third world are wearing them. "Say, Dikembe, it appears the New York Mets are every bit the powerhouse those Buffalo Bills and Phoenix Suns were in the previous decade."

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 08:56 AM

metirish wrote: ="G-Fafif"]If a Met stepped up in Sept. '07 and '08 like Irish stepped up here, we'd be sorting through our great variety of playoff t-shirts right now. Instead unknown kids in far flung places all over the third world are wearing them. Heh! I forget how long ago it was, or where it was, but I saw an article where two guys (I'll assume they weren't actual Pats fans) found out that the caps that were to be worn by the Pats were to include "Perfect Season" or 19-0 or something like that. Well anyway, I forget how they ended up where the NFL sent the aforementioned merchandise, but they found it, went down there, and were able to pick up said 19-0 caps.

metirish Apr 13 2009 08:59 AM

SteveJRogers wrote: ="metirish"] ="G-Fafif"]If a Met stepped up in Sept. '07 and '08 like Irish stepped up here, we'd be sorting through our great variety of playoff t-shirts right now. Instead unknown kids in far flung places all over the third world are wearing them. Heh! I forget how long ago it was, or where it was, but I saw an article where two guys (I'll assume they weren't actual Pats fans) found out that the caps that were to be worn by the Pats were to include "Perfect Season" or 19-0 or something like that. Well anyway, I forget how they ended up where the NFL sent the aforementioned merchandise, but they found it, went down there, and were able to pick up said 19-0 caps. Jeez that was nice of the two rich white( I'll assume they were white) guys to fly to some piss poor country so they can get the 19 -0 caps.....

soupcan Apr 13 2009 09:46 AM

I'm in California right now and I met Roger Craig yesterday (he and my dad golf at the same club). Funny guy. We talked about the Citi Field opener tonight and he acted as if he were insulted and confused as to why the Mets asked Seaver rather than himself to throw out the first pitch.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 09:48 AM

Soup, gotta ask him: When he wore Tracy Stallatd's jersey for that one game in Philadelphia in 1963, what jersey did Stallard wear?

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 09:53 AM

="soupcan"]I'm in California right now and I met Roger Craig yesterday (he and my dad golf at the same club). Funny guy. We talked about the Citi Field opener tonight and he acted as if he were insulted and confused as to why the Mets asked Seaver rather than himself to throw out the first pitch. Perhaps he read way too many bloggers and internet message board posters opine about how Citi Field was too much of a Brooklyn Dodger shrine. Never mind the fact that he never did pitch in Shea Stadium as a Met, and the Seaver connection is much, much, MUCH more stronger, and we are talking about ballparks, not the franchise history (to say nothing about the fact that Seaver IS the Mets Franchise). Sounds like a bitter old man who wishes he was still in some form of spotlight.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 09:55 AM

Rogers...

Nymr83 Apr 13 2009 09:56 AM

]Jeez that was nice of the two rich white( I'll assume they were white) guys to fly to some piss poor country so they can get the 19 -0 caps. I'm sure the few dollars they gave the locals for them made it a win-win. ]"Say, Dikembe, it appears the New York Mets are every bit the powerhouse those Buffalo Bills and Phoenix Suns were in the previous decade." In Africa the Buffalo Bills were known as the greatest team ever, until someone started to wonder why none of the shirts said "4-time champions" on them.

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 09:58 AM

metirish wrote: ="SteveJRogers"] metirish wrote: ="G-Fafif"]If a Met stepped up in Sept. '07 and '08 like Irish stepped up here, we'd be sorting through our great variety of playoff t-shirts right now. Instead unknown kids in far flung places all over the third world are wearing them. Heh! I forget how long ago it was, or where it was, but I saw an article where two guys (I'll assume they weren't actual Pats fans) found out that the caps that were to be worn by the Pats were to include "Perfect Season" or 19-0 or something like that. Well anyway, I forget how they ended up where the NFL sent the aforementioned merchandise, but they found it, went down there, and were able to pick up said 19-0 caps. Jeez that was nice of the two rich white( I'll assume they were white) guys to fly to some piss poor country so they can get the 19 -0 caps..... HA! For some reason I think a missionary deal was involved with them being there though.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 09:59 AM

="SteveJRogers"] ="soupcan"]I'm in California right now and I met Roger Craig yesterday (he and my dad golf at the same club). Funny guy. We talked about the Citi Field opener tonight and he acted as if he were insulted and confused as to why the Mets asked Seaver rather than himself to throw out the first pitch. Perhaps he read way too many bloggers and internet message board posters opine about how Citi Field was too much of a Brooklyn Dodger shrine. Never mind the fact that he never did pitch in Shea Stadium as a Met, and the Seaver connection is much, much, MUCH more stronger, and we are talking about ballparks, not the franchise history (to say nothing about the fact that Seaver IS the Mets Franchise). Sounds like a bitter old man who wishes he was still in some form of spotlight. Someone take Steve's computer away before he hurts himself.

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 10:00 AM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Rogers... Well I mean come on, who the hell thinks the Mets should have trotted out Roger Craig out there instead of Seaver? Unless Soup clarifies and says Craig was kidding around, I'm sticking with my assertion that Craig has a massive ego and wants one more go round in the spotlight, one that isn't as deserved as he may think. Hell, more people would find it more appropriate to trot out Jack Fisher tonight than Craig, or even Seaver!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 10:03 AM

Somebody's eaten too much chocolate easter bunny

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 10:04 AM

]We talked about the Citi Field opener tonight and he acted as if he were insulted and confused as to why the Mets asked Seaver rather than himself to throw out the first pitch.

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 10:04 AM

Well, I'm sure there are only a handful that would find the Fisher over Seaver thing appropriate, but it would still be more than would find Craig an appropriate choice.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 10:11 AM

Roger Craig, a big blog reader and internet message board poster. There's the theory to run with. You go.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 10:12 AM

I blame Irish for starting the IGT too early.

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 10:17 AM

Edgy DC wrote: Roger Craig, a big blog reader and internet message board poster. There's the theory to run with. You go. THAT was an attepmt at sarcasim, but those view points have been very purvasive. Oh sure it probably wouldn't be in any newspaper he'd pick up, but it does seem to be a common opinion that Citi Field is an exact clone of the old Dodger ballpark.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 10:20 AM

"I wasn't serious about what I wrote, though, seriously, what's wrong with what I wrote?"

metirish Apr 13 2009 10:40 AM

seawolf17 wrote: I blame Irish for starting the IGT too early. Can't blame me for Rogers going all pear shaped.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 11:18 AM

I vote for Anthony Young and I'm serious.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 11:26 AM

The Mets were blackless on their first road trip (jersey-wise). Today, we'll find out which patch they wear on their uni sleeves (The Domino' Pizza Patch or the View Through the Rotunda Patch).

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 11:27 AM

We already know it'll be the Domino's patch. I do expect to see blue hats and pinstripes, however, or else Charlie Samuels should be fired.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 11:29 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 13 2009 11:32 AM

Gwreck wrote: We already know it'll be the Domino's patch. I do expect to see blue hats and pinstripes, however, or else Charlie Samuels should be fired. I agree. But there were reports (with photographic proof) of the top of the line Mets authentic retail jerseys recently selling in the clubhouse shops with the Rotunda patch. I'd like to see the pinstripes as well, but I'm not expecting them. The snow whites are the Mets dominant uniform. That's the version their All Stars wear whenever the National League hosts the contest.

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 11:32 AM

When I went, they were the replicas, not the authentics, that had the good patch.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 11:33 AM

That would make sense.

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 11:37 AM

="batmagadanleadoff"]I'd like to see the pinstripes as well, but I'm not expecting them. The snow whites are the Mets dominant uniform. That's the version their All Stars wear whenever the National League hosts the contest. Not always.

MFS62 Apr 13 2009 11:43 AM

I wouldn't have had any heartburn if the Mets had asked Al Jackson to throw out the first pitch, considering his long time service to the organization. Later

soupcan Apr 13 2009 11:47 AM

Ho-ly crap. Okay - just to clarify for you alone Steve - Craig was in fact making a joke. If I do see him again Lunchy, I'll ask him your question.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 11:49 AM

MFS62 wrote: I wouldn't have had any heartburn if the Mets had asked Al Jackson to throw out the first pitch, considering his long time service to the organization. Won the first game ever won by the home team at Shea.

SteveJRogers Apr 13 2009 11:59 AM

="soupcan"]Ho-ly crap. Okay - just to clarify for you alone Steve - Craig was in fact making a joke. If I do see him again Lunchy, I'll ask him your question. HA! Fair enough, sorry about that. I'll do it myself then: RMPL ROGERS!

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 12:07 PM

="Gwreck"] ="batmagadanleadoff"]I'd like to see the pinstripes as well, but I'm not expecting them. The snow whites are the Mets dominant uniform. That's the version their All Stars wear whenever the National League hosts the contest. Not always. You got me. I should've known that because I make it a point to remember uniform details. I wonder if I'm beginning to lose my mind. It wasn't until Livan's first start two days ago that I realized that our pitching Hernandez is not El Duque. And yesterday I had to google (IMDb) a movie to recall the name of an actor that I should recognize instantly. Wanna know what else? The other day, I got out of a cab and left my copy of FAFIF in there. What's worse is that I didn't realize I had misplaced my book until a few hours had passed.

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 12:13 PM

In fairness to you, I remember Wright hitting his homer in Pittsburgh in the all-whites, and Piazza catching you-know-who in Houston in '04 in the all-whites as well. Although I still would strongly disagree with the sentiment that the all-white is the Mets "dominant" uniform.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 12:20 PM

Gwreck wrote: In fairness to you, I remember Wright hitting his homer in Pittsburgh in the all-whites, and Piazza catching you-know-who in Houston in '04 in the all-whites as well. Although I still would strongly disagree with the sentiment that the all-white is the Mets "dominant" uniform. It's dominant in the sense that, at least in recent years, it's the home uniform that's worn most often. Beginning with 1998, when the Mets added the color black to their uniforms, the pinstripes (classic in '98; with black from '99 to date) were the least worn home uniform style in every single season. I'm pretty sure that your photo of Wagner depicts the only instance when the Mets All-Stars wore pinstripes at a post-'97 AS Game.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 12:22 PM

I refuse to recognize Billy Wagner was ever a Met.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:25 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I refuse to recognize Billy Wagner was ever a Met. Psst...still is, technically.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 12:27 PM

WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU. LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:28 PM

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The other day, I got out of a cab and left my copy of FAFIF in there. What's worse is that I didn't realize I had misplaced my book until a few hours had passed. Oh, the humanity.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 12:30 PM

G-Fafif wrote: ="batmagadanleadoff"]The other day, I got out of a cab and left my copy of FAFIF in there. What's worse is that I didn't realize I had misplaced my book until a few hours had passed. Oh, the humanity. Why? Now he has to buy another one. You should wish that we all leave our books in the back of cabs.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 12:31 PM

seawolf17 wrote: ="G-Fafif"] ="batmagadanleadoff"]The other day, I got out of a cab and left my copy of FAFIF in there. What's worse is that I didn't realize I had misplaced my book until a few hours had passed. Oh, the humanity. Why? Now he has to buy another one. You should wish that we all leave our books in the back of cabs. You stole what was going to be my response to FAFIF's response. Because I will buy that book again.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:33 PM

I'll never make it on the sales side.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 12:34 PM

Those pinstripes are just a thing of beauty. I hope they wear them tonight. But I suspect they wear the snow whites. Ya know, you can have more than one person throw out the first ball. Line 'em up in front of the mound I' ve seen that done. Have Craig or Jackson or Hook throw to Hobie Landrith or someone like that (not sure of Hobie's current life status. Pardon me, Hobie) Seaver throw to Grote Darling -- who seems to be readily available, though Doc would be better -- to Carter And Franco to Piazza Everyone represented and happy. First Hit: Murphy First double: Church First Triple: Reyes First Home Run: Beltran First walk drawn: Delgado First strikeout Victim: Adrian Gonzalez First run scored: Wright First Met booed: Feliciano

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 12:37 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 13 2009 12:43 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Ya know, you can have more than one person throw out the first ball. Line 'em up in front of the mound I' ve seen that done. I can't get the image to appear but here's a link to Duffy Dyer doing the trick. http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1769717.jpg?size=67&uid={C7F2C389-4403-46C2-B7B1-D29D2F1BA604}

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 12:39 PM

The link doesn't work either but if you google-image Duffy Dyer, the 24th image is it. Here's the link (4th image) http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&q=duffy+dyer&sa=N&start=20&ndsp=20

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 12:40 PM

Doc's gonna be on hand. Hobie's still alive. And I'm betting on the pinstripes for the occasion, though I agree the snow whites have taken pre-eminence.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2009 12:42 PM

duplicate deleted

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 12:47 PM

G-Fafif wrote: I'll never make it on the sales side. You were all set to just send him a replacement book, weren't you? As your literary agent, I'm firing you as a client.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 12:54 PM

That's a great photo of Duffy, and one I was thinking of. Those were POWs or something along those lines. And I remember thinking -- "Duffy's gonna get pelted unless they can all hit that bag."

Farmer Ted Apr 13 2009 01:01 PM

This should be a day game, dammit.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 01:03 PM

seawolf17 wrote: ="G-Fafif"]I'll never make it on the sales side. You were all set to just send him a replacement book, weren't you? As your literary agent, I'm firing you as a client. I'm not as altruistic as I've led you to believe.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 01:05 PM

Okay, fine, you're rehired. Send me a box of books that I can use as promotional pieces.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2009 01:16 PM

seawolf17 wrote: Okay, fine, you're rehired. Send me a box of books that I can use as promotional pieces. That's a trick, right?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 13 2009 01:50 PM

I sez it before, I sez it again: Gooden-to-Grote would have been nice. First Hit: Reyes First double: Murphy First Triple: Bonif-- I mean, Hairston First Home Run: Schneider First walk drawn: Gonzalez First strikeout Victim: Wright First run scored: Reyes First Met booed: O'Day

metirish Apr 13 2009 04:28 PM

Watching the pre-game on SNY , the guys are outside CF and of course the chant goes up of yankees suck....I love and hate at the same time LETS

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 04:43 PM

GO (I just read this whole thread from start to finish and it's pretty funny ** throws sneaker at Rogers head**)

TransMonk Apr 13 2009 04:56 PM

METS!!!

metirish Apr 13 2009 04:56 PM

METS Mets wearing white tops with black hat and blue trim.......

metirish Apr 13 2009 05:05 PM

Have you ever seen a pitcher happier to throw a strike...well done Tom and Mike

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:07 PM

Right down the middle! Beautiful moment from Tom and Mikey.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 05:12 PM

Fuck you, Jody Gerut.

metirish Apr 13 2009 05:13 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Right down the middle! Beautiful moment from Tom and Mikey. Just like Pelfrey's....nice job Mike...

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:13 PM

Rats. Well, he's no Willie Stargell (who hit the first Shea homer)

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 05:13 PM

that's it. the evening is ruined.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:14 PM

They played better at Shea.

metirish Apr 13 2009 05:15 PM

Would have been a soft poke at Shea.

Ashie62 Apr 13 2009 05:23 PM

First Met booed: People with Pelfrey tickets may now go to the window

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 05:23 PM

i thought they booed the ump on that call...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 05:24 PM

I'd like to change all my answers in the quiz to Jody Gerut. Holy crap! I'm all weirded out by this new park.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 05:28 PM

That's a big outfield.

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 05:28 PM

the one thing i notice is that the behind the plate camera is really high. it might be an espn thing - not sure. it does look so darned unfamiliar, doesnt it? and nice double by david wright. way to leg it out!

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 05:29 PM

JCL: I'm all weirded out by this new park <<< Gonna take awhile tv wise to recognize it as home. May take a season or two in person for it to feel like home. I'm not sure it ever really will, more like a new residence.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 05:32 PM

David Eckstein looks always looks like he's tossing a goddamned bocce ball out there.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:35 PM

I like the bricks behind home plate.

Ashie62 Apr 13 2009 05:37 PM

metsmarathon wrote: i thought they booed the ump on that call... You may be correct..I thought he clinched it on he ensuing hit

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 05:37 PM

First embarrassing falling on ass off the mound: I'll take Big Pelf.

Ashie62 Apr 13 2009 05:39 PM

Did Seaver start drinking yet? He did look good! one day contract like Eddie Gaedel

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 05:41 PM

That Silva is as ugly a baserunner as I've seen in a long time. Long time.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:41 PM

Pelf's gotta settle down here.

MFS62 Apr 13 2009 05:42 PM

OlerudOwned wrote: David Eckstein looks always looks like he's tossing a goddamned bocce ball out there. It must be one of his intangibles. Later

Ashie62 Apr 13 2009 05:42 PM

OlerudOwned wrote: David Eckstein looks always looks like he's tossing a goddamned bocce ball out there. Eckstein crushes said Bocce ball

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 05:42 PM

Did it have to Eckstein? Pelfrey has me nervous. Long-term nervous.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 05:43 PM

Hey, Ron Darling --- shut up about Eckstain.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 05:43 PM

First boos.

Ashie62 Apr 13 2009 05:44 PM

The boo matter is closed-Pelfrey

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 05:47 PM

boo.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:47 PM

OK, now that's out of our system. Now our guys can get those bloops and chops.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 05:53 PM

Did a Faith and Fear shirt just get some airtime?

Ashie62 Apr 13 2009 05:53 PM

castillo first hit RBI..YES!!

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 05:54 PM

Brain Schneider and Luis Castillo. Not what I predicted. But I'll take it!

Rockin' Doc Apr 13 2009 05:54 PM

Schneider scores the Mets first run on a Castillo double. Let's Go Mets!!!

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 05:55 PM

Here's hoping Luis can slap a lot more balls into alleys and gaps in that giant outfield.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 05:55 PM

Good baserunning by Schneider (he never turned and looked, but instead trusted Razor), but he seemed like a dead duck if that relay wasn't dropped.

dgwphotography Apr 13 2009 05:59 PM

He might be the franchise, but I'm growing tired of listening to Seaver dump on Shea...

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:03 PM

Hey, guys, stop acting like the Thurston Howell Club in the TV booth.

bmfc1 Apr 13 2009 06:03 PM

Murphy showed a good sense of humor by smiling at the sarcastic cheers after he caught a routine flyball.

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 06:04 PM

I believe you mean Thurston Howell lll.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 06:08 PM

Meet the new home, same as the old home.

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 06:09 PM

here kitty kitty... wonder if he was a plant? and wow, good aggression by reyes, just overslid the base. dang.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:09 PM

1) The club was named after his grandpappy. 2) How many baserunning outs for Reyes this year? 3) How 'bout that kitty?

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 06:10 PM

david's gotta start trying to hit line drives instead of trying to hit home runs...

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:13 PM

The SNY feed to MLB.tv cut out 10 seconds late to hear Gary Cohen directing the broadcast. Cohen: We've got to ge Kalas and Fidrych in here. It's ridiculous that we haven't already. Ron (obediently): Okay... Cohen: It's the biggest thing going on. Ron (obediently): Okay...

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 06:17 PM

Pelf settling down.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 06:22 PM

Nobody is ever going to homer to centerfield, ever.

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 06:22 PM

well, i think that's out in any other stadium in the league...

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 06:26 PM

fucker!

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 06:26 PM

Mike, you're a ground ball pitcher.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 06:26 PM

Oh, Metsies.

Spacemans Bong Apr 13 2009 06:30 PM

Edgy DC wrote: The SNY feed to MLB.tv cut out 10 seconds late to hear Gary Cohen directing the broadcast. Cohen: We've got to ge Kalas and Fidrych in here. It's ridiculous that we haven't already. Ron (obediently): Okay... Cohen: It's the biggest thing going on. Ron (obediently): Okay... Holy crap, am I that far behind you on MLB.tv? I just heard that.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:36 PM

Well, then you might want to take a piss break when Adrian Gonzalez comes to the plate.

TransMonk Apr 13 2009 06:39 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Well, then you might want to take a piss break when Adrian Gonzalez comes to the plate. Bullet of cool!

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:44 PM

Only the fifth inning, gents.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 06:46 PM

Murph!!

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 06:47 PM

Good hittin', Murph. This could become one of those suck-it-up two out rallies that changes the direction of this game. Don't swing for the fences, David, just spin the carousel.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:47 PM

Tying run at bat. A floundering rookie trying to get one more out to qualify for the potential win. Wright at the plate. Baseball drama.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 06:47 PM

Hey, both of the other stadium debuts they showed before during the ESPN broadcast -- Indians and Nats -- were walk-off wins.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 06:50 PM

Swing for the fences, David. Just like I told ya.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 06:50 PM

CLUTCH MUTHAFUCKA!

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 06:50 PM

DAVID!!!!!!!

TransMonk Apr 13 2009 06:50 PM

No doubter, even at Citi!

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 06:52 PM

to quote my wife... "david wright - he's so dreamy!" of course, i'm pretty sure i coined the phrase.

TheOldMole Apr 13 2009 06:52 PM

The new apple!

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 06:52 PM

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:52 PM

BUH-LAM! Down, four to nothin' And then five to one The Mets just tied the game On a Wright home run!

metirish Apr 13 2009 06:53 PM

That was a shot and a half by Wright....the place exploded , it was waiting to explode all night.....

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 06:54 PM

it strikes me that, for all the questions we may have about this team, there were far more questions about the 1964 squad that opened Shea.

metirish Apr 13 2009 06:56 PM

Edgy DC wrote: it strikes me that, for all the questions we may have about this team, there were far more questions about the 1964 squad that opened Shea. You are one of the great thinkers of the world.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 06:57 PM

Buy bigger gloves.

metsmarathon Apr 13 2009 06:58 PM

no way that ticks off endy's glove.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 07:00 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 13 2009 07:01 PM

They were wondering in the booth whether that was scored a hit or an error, and I swear I was thinking, "Well, what does the Manufacturer's Hanover sign say?"

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 07:00 PM

Nice play cheating in and still making the stab by Wright.

bmfc1 Apr 13 2009 07:04 PM

Jerry Seinfeld is at the game: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/galleries/citi_field_opening_day/citi_field_opening_day.html#ph6

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 07:05 PM

If I'm Bud Black, I'm spitting bullets at those two outs. Of course, righties are hitting .900 off Feliciano, so...

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 07:05 PM

Considering all the hype Erin Andrews seems to get, she's really bad at talking on camera. Really bad.

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 07:08 PM

Ah, fuckin' hell, Pedro.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 07:08 PM

Are you freaking kidding me with the balk?

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 07:08 PM

Jeez. What happened to not over-managing the bullpen?

seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 07:09 PM

That's a shit balk, but it's a balk.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 07:10 PM

Damn Scrappy-Doo. Church, Sheffield, and Felicano --- I defy you to recall a single other Mets game in history in which three chin straps have appeared.

metirish Apr 13 2009 07:11 PM

That's not a balk at Shea I hate the Bloomberg ads.....yeah roll those sleeves up why don't ya

TheOldMole Apr 13 2009 07:12 PM

Tim Robbins at the game.

metirish Apr 13 2009 07:13 PM

TheOldMole wrote: Tim Robbins at the game. Doofus behind him whips out the cell phone no doubt calling his missus.....yeah we see you fatty

bmfc1 Apr 13 2009 07:15 PM

That shit call changes the whole inning. Bastard.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 07:16 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 13 2009 07:25 PM

Hey, Dreckman, this is history here.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 07:24 PM

Come on, Jose!

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 07:25 PM

Someone turned up the gravity underneath that changeup.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 07:26 PM

Bad. But the big bats are coming up. ESPN showed that the Coors debut was a walk-off, too.

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 07:29 PM

I'm running out of gas, I'm not a Monday night person. Wake me up Mets NOW!!!

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 07:33 PM

Evenin' CPF'ers! Been watching most of tonight's game. The Wright tater was impressive. Kids asleep, drink in hand, ready for some IGT before I hit the road tomorrow.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 07:34 PM

Three turns at bat left, gents.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 07:36 PM

Really refreshing analysis from Hershiser talking about the perception of current pitchers getting hurt more while pitching less. Imagine that, a former player on ESPN giving credit to current players instead of spouting some "back in my day" bullcrap. Then again, I guess you could argue that Orel pitched in the modern era compared to a lot of the guys who are guilty of that.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 07:40 PM

OlerudOwned wrote: Nobody is ever going to homer to centerfield, ever. Never.

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 07:43 PM

I always thought the riding Tommy Lasorda gave Orel in 1988 ruined his arm. He was all guts and gristle after that.

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 07:47 PM

OO: Nobody is ever going to homer to centerfield, ever <<< Or until mid May.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 07:55 PM

Orel really does a good job in the booth. Much better than having Joe Morgan up there talking about the Yankees all night.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 07:57 PM

Nice job to get out of the inning. Let's Go Mets!

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 08:00 PM

Wow, ESPN just showed the Petco debut ... and another walk-off! Hey, Duaner got a job. He owes us.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 08:00 PM

Hey, it's Duaner. I like you, Duaner. I hope they crush you, Duaner. Nothing personal.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 08:04 PM

I still can't get over the flippin' balk.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:04 PM

Not the most inspirational turn at bat. One more inning, one more chance to get that run across. Who's pitching the 9th?

HahnSolo Apr 13 2009 08:07 PM

Was that Duaner's first 1-2-3 inning since July 2006?

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:08 PM

Frankie is on the hill. One out on the K, Rodriguez looking good so far.

HahnSolo Apr 13 2009 08:09 PM

Incidentally, I can't grasp why Reyes does not get credit for a double on that ball when he overslid the bag. Or for that matter, why Gerut gets an assist.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:09 PM

Didn't we used to get the MPH of the pitches last year? I feel like that is missing now.

bmfc1 Apr 13 2009 08:09 PM

I switched from EI to ESPN. I was listening closely, but did I hear "if you think Frankie is bad, you should try Orel."

metirish Apr 13 2009 08:13 PM

Heath bloody Bell

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 08:13 PM

Three outs to do something.

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 08:15 PM

Chunky Bell on to pitch.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 08:16 PM

Heath Bell, like Aaron Harang, lost weight this winter. Heath Bell, unlike Aaron Harang, still looks like a fat load.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:18 PM

Heath Bell, named after the candy bar I assume. Throwing smoke though.

OlerudOwned Apr 13 2009 08:19 PM

Heath Bell just threw a pitch through the screen. Next pitch, the Padres catcher jumps over it.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:20 PM

C'mon, Jose.

Kong76 Apr 13 2009 08:22 PM

Oh well, that's that. Er, that's fat. I mean have a nice evening and arrive home safely.

Rockin' Doc Apr 13 2009 08:22 PM

Damn it! The Mets need to get some fat ass pitchers.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:23 PM

Feh. Stupid fat cunty Heath Bell. Mets laid down for the Padres bullpen, last 10 hitters go in order. Weak.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 08:23 PM

A freaking balk. Hey Pedro, that's so 2008. Horrible.

metirish Apr 13 2009 08:24 PM

So much for my IGT . you be my bitches , bitches

Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 08:25 PM

0-1 in that stupid patch, which, by the way, stays hard and flat and therefore makes a perfect commercial when the players are shot in profile.

Fman99 Apr 13 2009 08:30 PM

Gwreck wrote: We already know it'll be the Domino's patch. I do expect to see blue hats and pinstripes, however, or else Charlie Samuels should be fired. Actual conversation: Fwife: "What's with that big patch?" Fman99: "Oh, that's the patch they're going to wear at home this year." Fwife: "Wow, it's stupid looking."

HahnSolo Apr 13 2009 08:33 PM

The score runs in a bunch early (well in this case the fifth inning) and do nothing in the later innings was done to death last year, guys.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2009 08:38 PM

I'm disgusted with these bums. I knew we were in for it when Beltran fouled out on a 3-1 pitch from Duaner F. Sanchez. Embarrassing really.

Gwreck Apr 13 2009 10:05 PM

I was there. Not much fun aside from the Wright home run. I didn't see much in the IGT about Reyes stupidly getting thrown out at second after his leadoff single in the 3rd. I felt that was a big momentum killer. He was very close -- and may have slid off the bag -- but it was still a really stupid thing to do, considering we were down 3 at the time. I didn't care much for Jerry's bullpen management in this game. When Stokes came in, I figured him for a two inning stint and not for righty matchups. Pregame introductions featured Cliff Floyd getting a very nice standing ovation from the Shea crowd and him appearing to be very touched by the gesture. Nice hat tip from Cliff. Heath Bell lustily booed (he also tipped his cap while grinning); Duaner got a mixture. No heavy booing for the Mets players. Biggest cheers to David, Jose and Rodriguez. (Granted, Johan was not there. He was mentioned but it was tough to hear over the PA at that point). Seaver and Piazza walking in from the bullpen was a nice touch but the moment was a little bit lost given how much other stuff was going on on the field at that time. No introductions/mention of Doc, Darryl, Rusty, etc. I am pleased to report that the Shea family did present the good-luck floral wreath to Jerry Manuel. It's still taking a while to get used to the new park. Having now been there several times, I think they really make a mistake by not having enough escalators. Big bottlenecks on the stairs while leaving.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 13 2009 10:27 PM

I got nothin' to say.

themetfairy Apr 13 2009 11:21 PM

Back from the game. Too tired to think, although I thought there was a good number of staircases for post-game egress. It was nice watching a game in the new home, even though it was a sucky result. I'll post some pix tomorrow, when I'm conscious enough to go through them properly.

Rockin' Doc Apr 14 2009 05:07 AM

The new ballpark looked great on the television. However, the team didn't look too good. As stated numerous times before, the patch on the sleeve looked very plain and uninspired.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 06:19 AM

Yeah, but when they wear it you know you're going to get your pizza in 30 minutes or less.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 08:25 AM

It's fuzzy, but here is the cat on the field -

Gwreck Apr 14 2009 08:26 AM

themetfairy wrote: Back from the game. Too tired to think, although I thought there was a good number of staircases for post-game egress. Do you mind me asking where you were sitting? We are in the upper level directly behind home. Either of the two staircases were disasters. The wait was several minutes just to get into the staircases and then a very slow walk down. Not much pushing but if this is what it was like after a game it gives me pause as to what might happen if an emergency evacuation was needed.

Gwreck Apr 14 2009 08:27 AM

Edit: Duplicate post.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 08:29 AM

Um, er, we were actually in the Ebbets Club. So we probably used the same staircase, but starting from different levels. I did scope out the egress from our regular Promenade level seats, though - there's a ramp and a staircase nearby. As opposed to getting out of the upper tiers of Citizens Bank, this is much, much better designed. BTW, Doc Gooden was in the house -

metsmarathon Apr 14 2009 08:49 AM

from today's [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/sports/baseball/14mets.html?_r=1&ref=sports]NY times...[/url] "At Shea, the fan who caught Gerut’s homer would have thrown it back. Not here. Too good of a souvenir. " i'm sorry, but i don't believe that foolish behavior has made its way into our city just yet. i mean, does anybody remember a game at shea where an opponent's home run was thrown back onto the field? i had always thought new york fans were at least smart enough to not do that. boo, sure. but throw back a perfectly good souvenir? no way!

Edgy DC Apr 14 2009 08:52 AM

No, there's no tradition of cooties at Shea.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 08:59 AM

Here's Gary Sheffield, in his home field Mets debut -

SteveJRogers Apr 14 2009 09:21 AM

="metsmarathon"]from today's [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/sports/baseball/14mets.html?_r=1&ref=sports]NY times...[/url] "At Shea, the fan who caught Gerut’s homer would have thrown it back. Not here. Too good of a souvenir. " i'm sorry, but i don't believe that foolish behavior has made its way into our city just yet. i mean, does anybody remember a game at shea where an opponent's home run was thrown back onto the field? i had always thought new york fans were at least smart enough to not do that. boo, sure. but throw back a perfectly good souvenir? no way! I agree, I think we'd know about it if it was a tradition at Shea. It's more of a Wrigley thing. Maybe once in a while I'm sure it must have happened, but it isn't something to hang a "tradition" tag on it.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 14 2009 09:38 AM

My Buddy Will always says that if he catches a home run and you see it thrown back on the field, look closely and you'll see his severed hand still attached to it, since he'd never give it up. Stupid Cubs tradition, and the Times writer should know better.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 14 2009 09:43 AM

Most home runs hit at Shea landed where no fans were sitting.

Gwreck Apr 14 2009 09:43 AM

themetfairy wrote: Um, er, we were actually in the Ebbets Club. So we probably used the same staircase, but starting from different levels. I did scope out the egress from our regular Promenade level seats, though - there's a ramp and a staircase nearby. As opposed to getting out of the upper tiers of Citizens Bank, this is much, much better designed. I don't think the Ebbets Club seats had the same staircase. Don't those seats exit to the field-level concourse? There is indeed a ramp from the Promenade that goes out at left field. But that's the only one in the stadium, I think. People on the right field side and in the infeld aren't so lucky.

Centerfield Apr 14 2009 11:06 AM

It was a suckass game. We got to be happy for about ten minutes before Church dropped that ball and Feliciano balked him in. Too many times this season, the offense has put up runs only to give them back in the next half-inning. It wasn't a great crowd either. I'm not sure if the sound just doesn't resonate here at Citi, but I feel like it never got as loud as Shea. And there were certainly lots of people there last night that weren't Mets fans. People weren't standing with two outs, two strikes, the chants never really got going, etc. I thought it was shameful how lackluster the ovation was for Seaver and Piazza. That being said, the stadium is beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. Lots of legroom in the seats, great views, great food, great atmosphere. During the whole time I kept thinking I was at someone else's park and found myself subconsiously thinking the Mets were the road team. They fixed that out-of-town scoreboard thing Gwreck mentioned so there is a little red dot indicating the team that is batting. Plus, it was hard to see from our seats, but when the seating goes all the way around, I guess that is unavoidable. My only complaint about the ballpark is the outfield wall. I hate it. The weird configuration. The recessed wall in right, the high wall in left, the stupid high wall in center to protect the apple. Nobody is ever going to clear that. Plus they have one of those lines so you'll need replay to determine whether it was a HR or not. Why not just put a regular fence out there so that everything that's over it is a HR, and everything that bounces back is in play. Plus the color scheme is weird. Orange and black on the outfield wall makes me feel like i'm in San Francisco. If the wall is black, put the numbers in blue. Or white. The new apple looks great. And the bridge, which I thought was a stupid idea, actually looks really cool. Lazy Mary made the trip over from Shea, which was great. Unfortunately, so did Sweet Caroline in the 8th inning, which I think sucks. Beer guys have to ID everyone, each time. So the old guy sitting in front of me had to pull out his license like seven times. "Do you think I'm getting younger as the night goes on?" Some asshole tried to start a "Yankees Suck" chant on the way out but was shouted down by everyone else. That's nice to see. The same asshole then saw a bunch of Marines and tried to start an "Iraqis Suck" chant. Which I was disappointed to see a few Marines joined. If Iraqis suck, why are they risking their lives to help them? I would hope Marines would be bright enough to correct the man and say "Insurgents Suck" or something to that effect. The sausages are good.

Gwreck Apr 14 2009 11:11 AM

I tried for forget that Sweet Caroline ever happened. It got so heavily booed from my section that I couldn't tell if the sheep were singing along in the rest of the park. I think part of the problem with Seaver and Piazza is that they weren't properly introduced. The PA wasn't loud enough for much of the game/pregame ceremonies.

Frayed Knot Apr 14 2009 11:50 AM

Centerfield wrote: It wasn't a great crowd either ... And there were certainly lots of people there last night that weren't Mets fans. "Event" goers no doubt. Bloomberg was there, which is understandable. Trump was also which is never a good thing IMO. ] My only complaint about the ballpark is the outfield wall. I hate it. The weird configuration. The recessed wall in right, the high wall in left, the stupid high wall in center to protect the apple. Nobody is ever going to clear that. Plus they have one of those lines so you'll need replay to determine whether it was a HR or not. Why not just put a regular fence out there so that everything that's over it is a HR, and everything that bounces back is in play. If I were asked during the planning stage what one thing I'd want in a new park my answer would have been, 'no disputed HR areas'. I don't mind the asymmetry or varying wall heights and they can put all the nooks and crannies in there that they want (btw, what differentiates a nook from a cranny?) but just let a HR be easily distinguishable from an in-play ball.

Gwreck Apr 14 2009 11:53 AM

The only place I see there being a disputed home run problem is on the left side of centerfield, where the wall and the stands come together. Everywhere else seemed to be pretty clear that the line was just on the top of the wall and wasn't there to split a wall between home run and in-play. Have no problem with the home run line topping the wall for aesthetic purposes. --- One other thing I forgot to mention were the ridiculous tarps that extended over the bullpens and blocked the view of the relievers. Makes no sense to have put the bullpens in a highly visible spot in the stadium if they were just going to block them later.

bmfc1 Apr 14 2009 12:11 PM

CF--thank you for your review. Benigno and Roberts ripped the park apart this morning: it doesn't seem like the Mets play there (i.e. not enough Mets stuff in the park); not enough Mets colors; it takes too long to leave from the top sections; lousy scoreboard; too much Brooklyn Dodgers, etc. They claimed that PNC Park, Citizen's Bank, Camden Yards and the SF Park are superior.

Edgy DC Apr 14 2009 12:15 PM

How fat and foolish have we become that a ballpark --- a place to sit and drink --- gets ripped because you can name four superior sit-and-drink baseball buildings.

metsmarathon Apr 14 2009 12:21 PM

how... much mets stuff should there be? like, what's the level of expectation? personally, i'm glad the entire structure isn't slathered in blue and orange paint. if we walk from our seats to the concession, will we forget that the place we are in is the home of the mets if we don't see giant METS! METS! METS! banners hanging from each available rafter?

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 12:37 PM

Gwreck wrote: ="themetfairy"]Um, er, we were actually in the Ebbets Club. So we probably used the same staircase, but starting from different levels. I did scope out the egress from our regular Promenade level seats, though - there's a ramp and a staircase nearby. As opposed to getting out of the upper tiers of Citizens Bank, this is much, much better designed. I don't think the Ebbets Club seats had the same staircase. Don't those seats exit to the field-level concourse? The staircase we took had people on it from higher levels.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 12:40 PM

bmfc1 wrote: CF--thank you for your review. Benigno and Roberts ripped the park apart this morning: it doesn't seem like the Mets play there (i.e. not enough Mets stuff in the park); not enough Mets colors; it takes too long to leave from the top sections; lousy scoreboard; too much Brooklyn Dodgers, etc. They claimed that PNC Park, Citizen's Bank, Camden Yards and the SF Park are superior. PNC and SF are my previous favorite parks. Citi is up there with them. When I'm more awake I'll consider the situation further, but Citi is a beautiful place to watch a game. Citizens Bank is good, but with worse egress issues. Camden Yards is overrated. At some point people will stop blindly lauding it and face the fact that the seats face the wrong direction. It was the first of the new breed, which is good, but the subsequent parks got right what Camden got wrong.

metirish Apr 14 2009 12:40 PM

It seems to me that people are going out of their way to put Citi Field down and the Mets with it. I'll take the word of people here and not give a fiddlers fuck what Beningo and his buddy think. I can't wait to go.

86-Dreamer Apr 14 2009 01:35 PM

Centerfield wrote: It wasn't a great crowd either. I'm not sure if the sound just doesn't resonate here at Citi, but I feel like it never got as loud as Shea. And there were certainly lots of people there last night that weren't Mets fans. People weren't standing with two outs, two strikes, the chants never really got going, etc. I thought it was shameful how lackluster the ovation was for Seaver and Piazza. That being said, the stadium is beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. Lots of legroom in the seats, great views, great food, great atmosphere. During the whole time I kept thinking I was at someone else's park and found myself subconsiously thinking the Mets were the road team. They fixed that out-of-town scoreboard thing Gwreck mentioned so there is a little red dot indicating the team that is batting. Plus, it was hard to see from our seats, but when the seating goes all the way around, I guess that is unavoidable. My only complaint about the ballpark is the outfield wall. I hate it. The weird configuration. The recessed wall in right, the high wall in left, the stupid high wall in center to protect the apple. Nobody is ever going to clear that. Plus they have one of those lines so you'll need replay to determine whether it was a HR or not. Why not just put a regular fence out there so that everything that's over it is a HR, and everything that bounces back is in play. Plus the color scheme is weird. Orange and black on the outfield wall makes me feel like i'm in San Francisco. If the wall is black, put the numbers in blue. Or white. The new apple looks great. And the bridge, which I thought was a stupid idea, actually looks really cool. Lazy Mary made the trip over from Shea, which was great. Unfortunately, so did Sweet Caroline in the 8th inning, which I think sucks. Beer guys have to ID everyone, each time. So the old guy sitting in front of me had to pull out his license like seven times. "Do you think I'm getting younger as the night goes on?" . The crowd was very quiet relative to Shea. I don't know yet if it is due to the acoustics or if there is truth to the theory that the enthusuastic fans have been replaced/priced out. I really dislike the lack of Met blue and orange - especially the outfield wall as CF points out. It is also sad to see how few field level seats there are behind home plate - the best spot in the house reserved for so few. And while, there are some great views, there are also way too many blind spots. My group of twelve last night was spread across three locations and we all reported blind spots. From Promenade 507 (btwn first and home), we could not see anything down the rightfield line. We also experienced major problems exiting the stadium. The waterless urinals are cool but disappointed that the Promenade mens rooms only had six urinals each. I know I need to form my impressions over several more games, hopefully victorius ones. But my first impression is that they missed on the opportunity to build a unique home for the New York Mets. But they do seem to have built a clean and comfortable place to watch a game and eat some food. But it thus far is missing a lot of Metliness.

G-Fafif Apr 14 2009 01:39 PM

A friend, whose opinion I respect in terms of going to a game without an agenda, was there last night and passed this review along: ]GOOD NEWS: Promenade Deck, Section 521, 5 rows from the top. Left field. Between third and home. Felt like the Mezzanine, not the Upper Deck. Bigger seats, wider aisles. Nicer vendors. The new scoreboard is so clear it looks fake. Fans happy. When the cat ran out there I thought of your Casey. Food good. I was warmer than I figured I would be. BAD NEWS: Clearly, some of this is ‘learning curve’. Promenade section signage near invisible. Small dark signs at rear of section. If people stand, they’re covered. Completely. I wandered in Section 522 balancing hot dogs and beer badly going up and down stairs. Asked vendor where I was. He had no idea. CROWDED. All that room we thought we have we don’t really have. I walked into the Rotunda, up the escalator and WHAM! Wall of people. Half touring, half buying food. Didn’t move. Claustrophobia beckons. Push and shove in the general direction of third base, find the escalator mobbed, find stairs and start climbing. And climbing. Glad my heart got a clean bill of health. Start to miss Sheascalators. After the game, hit a massive wall of people trying to walk down the stairs. Not moving at all. Really miss Shearamps.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 01:57 PM

I think Pelfrey serving up a home run pitch to the first Padres batter of the game did a lot to subdue the crowd.

themetfairy Apr 14 2009 02:00 PM

D-Dad took video of Seaver's pitch to Piazza - Once the National Anthem video is processed, I'll post that also. On Edit - the National Anthem -

G-Fafif Apr 14 2009 03:16 PM

Dave Howard on 'FAN all but scolding those who don't adore everything at Citi Field right now.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 14 2009 09:31 PM

I thought the orange distance numbers and the orange wall stripe looked great -- at least on TV. Will see for sure at the park Thursday.