Master Index of Archived Threads


Letter Writing Time

Gwreck May 28 2009 11:52 AM

New York Mets Citi Field Roosevelt Avenue Flushing, NY 11368-1699 To Whom It May Concern: Please stop the playing of the song “Sweet Caroline” during the “Eighth Inning Singalong” at New York Mets games at Citi Field. It is truly baffling that the Mets insist on playing this song during every game at Citi Field. As you are no doubt well aware, the singing of that song is a long-standing tradition of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park. Given the opening of our new ballpark this year, it defies logic that the Mets continue to copy the tradition of other teams, rather than establishing our own traditions. Further, it is becoming increasingly clear that the fans in attendance at Citi Field, particularly the Mets’ loyal customers, like myself, who attend dozens of games each year, have no interest in hearing the song. The playing of “Sweet Caroline” was loudly booed on opening night at Citi Field and the boos have only increased as the season has progressed. Mets beat reporter David Lennon of Newsday took note in his blog, “On the Mets Beat: ]Next on the agenda -- getting rid of the Red Sox's eighth-inning anthem, "Sweet Caroline." That probably ain't happening either. I'm just never going to understand why you would take a song that another team already has established as their own -- especially a high-profile team like the Red Sox. Am I the only one who hears the boos when it comes on? (http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseb ... ready.html, April 21, 2009) The problems with the Mets’ attempt to copy the Red Sox’ tradition were only magnified as the Mets visited Fenway Park last weekend for a three game series. During the SNY broadcast of the Mets-Red Sox game on Friday, May 22, 2009, Gary Cohen commented on the loud crowd participation as “Sweet Caroline” was played, noting that at Fenway Park, "fans actually like the song." Cohen went on to suggest that "maybe the folks at Citi Field can find another song." There is no reason that the New York Mets cannot have a successful “Eighth Inning Singalong,” using a different well-known song. Having that song be “Sweet Caroline,” however, is simply intolerable. It is embarrassing to the New York Mets and to Mets fans that you insist on playing “Sweet Caroline.” Please, find a different song. Very truly yours, Gwreck

A Boy Named Seo May 28 2009 12:01 PM

"Meet the Mets" is good. Your pal, A Boy Named Seo

metirish May 28 2009 12:06 PM

Nice one , I really liked what Cohen said that night.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 28 2009 12:10 PM

P.S.: If you still insist on copying a successful team, make it the Mets. Try "Curley Shuffle" or Jane Jarvis doing the Mexican Hat Dance. Christ get a clue already.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 12:10 PM

I find that the bigger issue is teams generally trying to copy the ballpark experience from each other, as if they don't believe the typical fan gets out to other ballparks and realizes "Rock and Roll Part II" is crammed down your throat no matter what your favorite team.

G-Fafif May 28 2009 12:13 PM

="Edgy DC":3b58wum5]I find that the bigger issue is teams generally trying to copy the ballpark experience from each other, as if they don't believe the typical fan gets out to other ballparks and realizes "Rock and Roll Part II" is crammed down your throat no matter what your favorite team.[/quote:3b58wum5] "R&R Part II" completely absent from the CF experience. I noticed that when it was used at Shea in the last year or two, it was The Glitter Band's version. I guess they want to keep Gary's influence to a minimum so close to Kiddie Field. Edgy DC May 28 2009 12:23 PM That was more of a specific issue over the last 10-15 years. I mean to speak more generally even as I make a specific citation. Hopefully teams are waking up to the notion that residuals from public performances of Glitter's records have fed his international crime spree. Centerfield May 28 2009 12:27 PM Dear Mets, please ignore the unwarranted grumbling from my fellow fans who don't know how to have a good time. They hate life and everything that is fun. Like the B-52's. I think Sweet Caroline is a riot. I'm going to continue to sing it and not worry about what anyone thinks. Along that line, I have some other suggestions as well: 1. Throw back HR balls hit by opposing players. 2. Play Sinatra's "New York, New York" after wins. 3. Put up a meter counting the number of HR's hit into McCovey Cove. 4. Day-O!!! 5. Throw an octopus on the field before playoff games. By the way, I love the unique configuration of the outfield wall. Not knowing whether a ball was a HR for six minutes? Absolute blast! HahnSolo May 28 2009 12:28 PM No one can convince me that we need an 8th-inning sing-along. Fman99 May 28 2009 12:29 PM ="Centerfield"]Dear Mets, please ignore the unwarranted grumbling from my fellow fans who don't know how to have a good time. They hate life and everything that is fun. Like the B-52's. I think Sweet Caroline is a riot. I'm going to continue to sing it and not worry about what anyone thinks. Along that line, I have some other suggestions as well: 1. Throw back HR balls hit by opposing players. 2. Play Sinatra's "New York, New York" after wins. 3. Put up a meter counting the number of HR's hit into McCovey Cove. 4. Day-O!!! 5. Throw an octopus on the field before playoff games. By the way, I love the unique configuration of the outfield wall. Not knowing whether a ball was a HR for six minutes? Absolute blast! CF hit this post out of the park. Though it bounced off a sign and I had to review it for five minutes before making that determination. HahnSolo May 28 2009 12:29 PM ="Centerfield":y9u9zoe7] 2. Play Sinatra's "New York, New York" after wins.[/quote:y9u9zoe7] Didn't the Mets do this back in the 80s? G-Fafif May 28 2009 12:32 PM ="HahnSolo":2qsykguk] ="Centerfield":2qsykguk] 2. Play Sinatra's "New York, New York" after wins.[/quote:2qsykguk] Didn't the Mets do this back in the 80s?[/quote:2qsykguk] They started the "NY NY" thing with Liza Minnelli's version in 1980, the first year they went to recorded music. The MFYs responded with Sinatra's, which was released as a single that year. The Mets occasionally dabbled in Frank as well. If you watch the '86 WS on DVD, you will notice it as part of a stream of New York songs played between innings, including "Autumn in New York". metirish May 28 2009 12:45 PM ="Fman99"] ="Centerfield"]Dear Mets, please ignore the unwarranted grumbling from my fellow fans who don't know how to have a good time. They hate life and everything that is fun. Like the B-52's. I think Sweet Caroline is a riot. I'm going to continue to sing it and not worry about what anyone thinks. Along that line, I have some other suggestions as well: 1. Throw back HR balls hit by opposing players. 2. Play Sinatra's "New York, New York" after wins. 3. Put up a meter counting the number of HR's hit into McCovey Cove. 4. Day-O!!! 5. Throw an octopus on the field before playoff games. By the way, I love the unique configuration of the outfield wall. Not knowing whether a ball was a HR for six minutes? Absolute blast! CF hit this post out of the park. Though it bounced off a sign and I had to review it for five minutes before making that determination. After a review I agree Benjamin Grimm May 28 2009 12:45 PM I seem to remember them playing "Kool and the Gang" after wins in the 1980's. I think that was playing after Game 6, but I'm not sure. When I hear that song though (which is seldom anymore) I do flash back to Mookie and Buckner, although I may be conflating. G-Fafif May 28 2009 12:47 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":2jn0hrqj]I seem to remember them playing "Kool and the Gang" after wins in the 1980's. I think that was playing after Game 6, but I'm not sure. When I hear that song though (which is seldom anymore) I do flash back to Mookie and Buckner, although I may be conflating.[/quote:2jn0hrqj] That they did. Played it on WHN after wins, too. themetfairy May 28 2009 01:17 PM ="G-Fafif":1jmdcrv9] "R&R Part II" completely absent from the CF experience. I noticed that when it was used at Shea in the last year or two, it was The Glitter Band's version. I guess they want to keep Gary's influence to a minimum so close to Kiddie Field.[/quote:1jmdcrv9] Better it be Gary Sheffield's influence <rolling> (Note - this comes from Sheffield's at-bat music, which G-Fafif and I discussed the other night. Not that either of us is a prude, but the lyrics sounded unbelievably kid un-friendly.) LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 28 2009 01:29 PM ="Centerfield":1jqnocco]Dear Mets, please ignore the unwarranted grumbling from my fellow fans who don't know how to have a good time. They hate life and everything that is fun. Like the B-52's. I think Sweet Caroline is a riot. I'm going to continue to sing it and not worry about what anyone thinks. Along that line, I have some other suggestions as well: 1. Throw back HR balls hit by opposing players. 2. Play Sinatra's "New York, New York" after wins. 3. Put up a meter counting the number of HR's hit into McCovey Cove. 4. Day-O!!! 5. Throw an octopus on the field before playoff games. By the way, I love the unique configuration of the outfield wall. Not knowing whether a ball was a HR for six minutes? Absolute blast![/quote:1jqnocco] /Slow clap, building to full hand-on-hand abuse. Swan Swan H May 28 2009 01:48 PM Are we blaming the team for fans throwing HR balls on the field, or are we just grousing about stuff? I'm preparing my next post and I want to be sure. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 28 2009 02:18 PM ="themetfairy"] ="G-Fafif"] "R&R Part II" completely absent from the CF experience. I noticed that when it was used at Shea in the last year or two, it was The Glitter Band's version. I guess they want to keep Gary's influence to a minimum so close to Kiddie Field. Better it be Gary Sheffield's influence <rolling> (Note - this comes from Sheffield's at-bat music, which G-Fafif and I discussed the other night. Not that either of us is a prude, but the lyrics sounded unbelievably kid un-friendly.) I could've sworn it was "Swagger Like Us," from Kanye West. The fiancee and I were arguing over whether Old Man Sheff chose it himself, or had one of his nephews help. (Which, weirdly, Fernando Martinez used during the same game, two batters later.) metirish May 28 2009 02:22 PM Fernando's new song will be "Run" from Snow Patrol.... Swan Swan H May 28 2009 02:35 PM Jerry revisits his Reyes riff, and says it's "I Saw Her Standing There." metirish May 28 2009 02:40 PM ="Swan Swan H":2g9uc64t]Are we blaming the team for fans throwing HR balls on the field, or are we just grousing about stuff? I'm preparing my next post and I want to be sure.[/quote:2g9uc64t] Off days are great around here for bitching about stuff. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 28 2009 03:54 PM ="metirish"] Off days are great around here for bitching about stuff. Also, for actually writing letters. Using Gwreck's piece as a jump-off, I just scribbled out my own "Caroline Ain't Sweet, She's a Flippin' Hoo-er!" missive, and sent it using the real-world mails. Join us, won't you? holychicken May 28 2009 05:39 PM Isn't the italian song that goes chee-na loo-na men-su mur-ay advocado lotsa pasta fila dough-a is a good-eh mama mia blah blah blah ,or whatever the hell it is they say, good enough?