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Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

G-Fafif Apr 25 2013 10:46 PM

Marty Noble recalls how the Mets wouldn't lift a finger to bring Shea another another All-Star Game.

Edgy MD Apr 25 2013 11:24 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Marty strangely calls YSII YSI.

soupcan Apr 26 2013 07:01 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Me and Al Harazin. My whole life I wanted to go to an All-Star game where the Mets were the host. Now that its happening and I'm fortunate enough to be able to go if I wanted to - I have absolutely no desire to do so.

Gwreck Apr 26 2013 11:22 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

soupcan wrote: My whole life I wanted to go to an All-Star game where the Mets were the host. Now that its happening and I'm fortunate enough to be able to go if I wanted to - I have absolutely no desire to do so. This is the exact problem I am having. You have any insights? I've got nothing, other than residual Wilpon-anger/frustration.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 26 2013 11:27 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Back in the 1970's and 1980's I also was really hoping that Shea would get an All-Star Game, but this 2013 game means nothing to me. But it's not a reflection on the Wilpons, or on it being Citi instead of Shea; it's just that I've lost all interest in the institution of the All-Star Game. And maybe that's because a lot of the players will be unfamiliar to me.

Swan Swan H Apr 26 2013 11:34 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

I dunno, I'm into it. We have four sets of tickets and will be attending all of the festivities - fan-fest, futures game, home run derby, the whole weekend. I'd like it more if there were four or five Mets going to the game like in the '80s, but even if it's just a couple I'll still have a great time.

Ashie62 Apr 26 2013 12:57 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 26 2013 04:52 PM

I'd like to see the allstar game at Citi, but played by the players I rooted for as a youth...

Zvon Apr 26 2013 03:02 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

I always blamed MLB for the lack of another ASG at Shea. I had no idea. So who do I blame now? Every G.M. since 1964?

G-Fafif Apr 26 2013 03:15 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Harazin was Cashen's deputy for business circa 1988 when the Mets' "turn" was at hand. So if you're pointing fingers, save one for Al, maybe one for Frank and a big one for ownership that didn't care. The quote about "we'd rather host the World Series": I've noticed a few teams managed to both in the same season.

Ceetar Apr 26 2013 03:16 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Zvon wrote: I always blamed MLB for the lack of another ASG at Shea. I had no idea. So who do I blame now? Every G.M. since 1964? Who knows, MLB could certainly have let it be known to owners that it wasn't much worth trying given the state of Shea with all the new ballparks opening that were options. I've got tickets, and I'm looking forward to all of it. Debating if there's anywhere good to stand for the HR Derby instead of my seats up in RF Promenade. It'd be fun to be on the bridge, but I'm sure it'll be so so packed. Standing on the Pepsi Porch could be fun, but you'll miss those bridge home runs. I wonder if anyone will break a window in the Acela club.

G-Fafif Apr 26 2013 03:20 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

I'm all for this ASG being at Citi Field. I will watch it. If lightning strikes, I will attend it. I'm just sorry it took so long for the Mets to deduff themselves and go after one. Would've loved to have had a Shea followup to Hunt and Callison.

Zvon Apr 26 2013 03:46 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Ceetar wrote: Zvon wrote: I always blamed MLB for the lack of another ASG at Shea. I had no idea. So who do I blame now? Every G.M. since 1964? Who knows, MLB could certainly have let it be known to owners that it wasn't much worth trying given the state of Shea with all the new ballparks opening that were options. I don't buy that "state of Shea" business. The Mets snazzed up Shea in the early eighties and it was in fine shape to host the game during that entire decade. Heres a few more cards from that silly set I made in 2002. This was one of the first projects I started on PsP7 when I got it, and you can see I had a lot to learn. I thought I was making these close to actual baseball card size, but they turned out to be mini's. I still enjoy looking at these though. Okay, so now I'm a lil more pissed at the Mets themselves than I was yesterday. We definitely should have hosted one during the 80s. And we didn't because they didn't want to be bothered? Gah.

Frayed Knot Apr 26 2013 08:01 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

It was never a secret that ownership didn't really want the ASG. The benefit to the home team is more image than financial and during the later 80s they simply didn't think they needed the boost. By the 90s, not coincidentally as the Wilpons gained full control and as the new wave of stadium building boomed, MLB was increasingly interested in showing off the newer parks and the 'Pons were increasingly embarrassed by the age/condition of Shea.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 26 2013 08:27 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

We're pretty into it, but the cost is unjustifiable, frankly. We'll do the FanFest.

Zvon Apr 26 2013 08:42 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Frayed Knot wrote: It was never a secret that ownership didn't really want the ASG. The benefit to the home team is more image than financial and during the later 80s they simply didn't think they needed the boost. By the 90s, not coincidentally as the Wilpons gained full control and as the new wave of stadium building boomed, MLB was increasingly interested in showing off the newer parks and the 'Pons were increasingly embarrassed by the age/condition of Shea. I'll concede that Shea was one big bowel from the mid 90s on. Personally I didn't think it was ever as bad as some said it was-but in comparison to the new parks popping up? Shea was old style. Not old enough to be appreciated though. In the late 80s they should have went for it as a reward to their actual and existing fans, not to get any more fans (of course I understand their selfish logic though). I certainly would have found a way to go. I had to wait until the Phils had the ASG in '96 to go to one. I skipped the one in '76 cause I wanted my ASG experience to be in the Mets ballpark and I figured some year they would have to get it, if even by default. I was always under the impression that MLB approached a team and asked if they wanted to host. Don't mind me, I'm just blowing off steam. So now the Mets will have the ASG at Citi not to repay their fans, but to seek new ones. Suck mah balls Wilpon.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 27 2013 08:22 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

I love the All-Star Game and I'm thrilled the Mets have it. Go to the FanFest, it's a lot of fun. Going to a Mets-centric All-Star Game would be a dream come true!

seawolf17 Apr 28 2013 09:14 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: We're pretty into it, but the cost is unjustifiable, frankly. We'll do the FanFest. This, and hopefully this also. It might just be me and MW, although I don't know that he's even going to have the patience to deal with it. We'll see.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 28 2013 12:21 PM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Ceetar wrote: I always blamed MLB for the lack of another ASG at Shea. I had no idea. So who do I blame now? Every G.M. since 1964? Who knows, MLB could certainly have let it be known to owners that it wasn't much worth trying given the state of Shea with all the new ballparks opening that were options. Not true. In the NL, the era of ASG's in the new wave stadiums began in 1998. From 1986-1996, all six NL ASG's were hosted by teams that had already hosted an ASG during the Mets existence: 1986 - Astrodome (last held in 1968) 1988 - Riverfront Stadium (last held in 1970) 1990 - Wrigley Field (last held in 1962) (new lights - dawn of night baseball era at Wrigley) 1992 - Jack Murphy Stadium (last held in 1978 - just 14 yrs. earlier) 1994 - Three Rivers Stadium (last held in 1974) 1996 - Veterans Stadium (last held in 1976) This was when the Mets stood the best chance of hosting another Shea ASG. And frankly, I don't see how Shea, then, was in any worse condition than the six stadiums above. Enough excuses for these cocksucker owners.

Edgy MD Apr 29 2013 09:42 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

All that's true, but again, it's never been a secret that the team was disinterested in pursuing the All Star Game. And if that's something that disappointed/disappoints you, the responsibility is hardly limited to the Wilpons alone.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 29 2013 09:58 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Edgy MD wrote: All that's true, but again, it's never been a secret that the team was disinterested in pursuing the All Star Game. And if that's something that disappointed/disappoints you, the responsibility is hardly limited to the Wilpons alone. I never said it was a secret. And my point was mainly to reject the MLB-as-an-obstacle-to-another-Shea-ASG theory.

Edgy MD Apr 29 2013 10:04 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

And I never said you said she said she said, or so Edward Said said. It seemed worth underscoring.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 29 2013 10:14 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Edgy MD wrote: And I never said you said she said she said, or so Edward Said said. It seemed worth underscoring. OK. But whom do you have in mind when you write that "the responsibility is hardly limited to the Wilpons alone"? The Mets best chance for a second Shea ASG was probably from 1992-1996. 1986 and 1988 were probably still too close to 1977, when NYC, if not the Mets, last hosted an ASG.

Edgy MD Apr 29 2013 10:25 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Who do I have in mind as an audience or a culprit? As an audience, any correspondent here or elsewhere who is disportionately inclined to blame the Wilpons for slights real or imagined. As culprits, all of the Mets ownership team and the high level executives who advised them. OE: I hadn't realized the recent use of a park that is home to another team in the same town was a factor in who gets an All-Star Game. It apparently isn't much of one anymore.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 29 2013 10:31 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

Edgy MD wrote: OE: I hadn't realized the recent use of a park that is home to another team in the same town was a factor in who gets an All-Star Game. It apparently isn't much of one anymore. "It apparently isn't much of one anymore." What do you base this on?

Edgy MD Apr 29 2013 10:55 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

The Mets host an All Star game this year at Citi Field. The Yankees hosted an All Star Game a scant five years ago in Yankee Stadium II. Going back to the late eighties era you describe as one in which the 1977 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium II was a factor against the Mets, the Athletics hosted at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum three years after the Giants hosted at Candlestick. Not the same city but the same marketplace. The Cubs hosted at Wrigley Field in 1990 seven years after the White Sox hosted at Comiskey.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 29 2013 10:58 AM Re: Al Harazin Couldn't Be Bothered

I expect that the Mets could have had themselves an All-Star Game in the 1980's if they wanted one.