2013 All-Star Game

[Guest themetfairy]

I am assuming that there will be heightened security for the ASG.

Has anyone seen a list of what we're allowed to bring into the stadium? I'd hate to make the trip via train only to discover that my camera doesn't meet specifications or my bag is too big or something along those lines.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

themetfairy wrote: I am assuming that there will be heightened security for the ASG. Has anyone seen a list of what we're allowed to bring into the stadium? I'd hate to make the trip via train only to discover that my camera doesn't meet specifications or my bag is too big or something along those lines.

I know I've seen a list. I'll check and see if it's with the ticket envelope when I get home.

[Guest themetfairy]

Thanks Swan. You got me thinking to check the back of my ticket. In print small enough to require my aged eyes to use both reading glasses and a magnifying glass there's a list of prohibited items, including the frustrating legalese term, "Included but not limited to." But no mention of cameras, which is a good thing. For the most part it seemed like the normal list of things we're not allowed to bring (hard sided coolers, fireworks, etc.).

If you or anyone notices anything different, PLMK. Thanks!

[Guest Swan Swan H]

themetfairy wrote: Thanks Swan. You got me thinking to check the back of my ticket. In print small enough to require my aged eyes to use both reading glasses and a magnifying glass there's a list of prohibited items, including the frustrating legalese term, "Included but not limited to." But no mention of cameras, which is a good thing. For the most part it seemed like the normal list of things we're not allowed to bring (hard sided coolers, fireworks, etc.). If you or anyone notices anything different, PLMK. Thanks!

Thanks for the update. It's always frustrating to find you can't bring items that you brought into the park, especially since we plan on taking the train Monday and Tuesday (at least) and can't run them back into the car.

[Guest themetfairy]

Swan Swan H wrote: themetfairy wrote: Thanks Swan. You got me thinking to check the back of my ticket. In print small enough to require my aged eyes to use both reading glasses and a magnifying glass there's a list of prohibited items, including the frustrating legalese term, "Included but not limited to." But no mention of cameras, which is a good thing. For the most part it seemed like the normal list of things we're not allowed to bring (hard sided coolers, fireworks, etc.). If you or anyone notices anything different, PLMK. Thanks! Thanks for the update. It's always frustrating to find you can't bring items that you brought into the park, especially since we plan on taking the train Monday and Tuesday (at least) and can't run them back into the car.

Exactly!

I just got off the phone with MLB.com. They knew nothing and suggested I call the Mets. At this point I figure that I'll just ask at FanFest on Friday.

But seriously, in the wake of Boston and with heightened security being prevalent these days, shouldn't this information be readily available? Or have they forgotten that they need to develop a policy and won't come up with one until Tuesday afternoon?

[Guest Swan Swan H]

I looked through our materials, and the back of the ticket, as you said, is all I saw. I'm going to guess that's the rule, but if I hear or see anything else I'll put it out here.

There will be extra LIRR trains running for the whole weekend. Parts of the parking lot will be set up with other events, so taking the train is a good option for us, as we can walk to the station in our town. Here is the schedule for all three days at Citi Field.

[metirish]

Anyone planning on attending FanFest at the Javits Center?

[Guest themetfairy]

Thanks Swan. I'm guessing that they'll formulate their security policy about 3:00 on Tuesday.

Irish - D-Dad and I will be at FanFest on Friday afternoon.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

metirish wrote: Anyone planning on attending FanFest at the Javits Center?

Yes, wanna go with the Pail. But figured on buying tix at door, either Sat am or Sunday am.

[Ceetar]

I think I'm already going to lose money on the extra strip I bought, so not gonna worry about trying to spend an extra day at the Fanfest myself. Going to try to sneak over on Monday during lunch, but it's all the way cross town so that's like 45 minutes..

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

metirish wrote: Anyone planning on attending FanFest at the Javits Center?

Doing a Family Hooky Day on Monday.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

My goal btw is to find a Kirk Nieuwenhuis t-shirt in a kid size. Lunchpail owns a HARVEY 33 shirt already but I felt dirty getting it for him.

He will also accept GEE 35.

Preferably in orange.

[HahnSolo]

metirish wrote: Anyone planning on attending FanFest at the Javits Center?

I am going late on Saturday, probly 4-ish. WIll probably stay till closing, and hope to not spend too much on memorabilia. Can't go any earlier due to little Solo's baseball commitments.

[Ceetar]

The email they just sent includes the regular prohibitions:

Fans are encouraged to arrive early for ballpark events. All Citi Field Gates will open at Noon EST Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET Monday and 4:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. In addition, the Mets are asking fans to be advised that prohibited items at Citi Field include, but are not limited to items larger than 16"x16"x8", hard-sided coolers, all metal cans (including sunscreen aerosol cans), glass bottles, open containers; commercial grade audio, video and photographic equipment; alcoholic beverages; illegal substances; laser pointers; noisemaking devices; fireworks, animals (except for assistive purposes); weapons and any items of similar nature.. Citi Field retains the right to determine what items are deemed appropriate for entry. Guests may bring in one, soft, plastic, factory-sealed water bottles of 20 ounces or less, Guests may also bring in one sealed, soft -sided child's juice box. Note: Water bottles and juice boxes may not be frozen.

[bmfc1]

No Angel Hernandez?
#ASG umps: John Hirschbeck (HP), Wally Bell (1B), Larry Vanover (2B), Paul Emmel (3B), Rob Drake (LF), Chad Fairchild (RF).

[Guest themetfairy]

That's the same as the back of the ticket. Thanks Ceetar.

[Ceetar]

Security is ridiculously inept, everywhere. If someone balks, I suggest walking away and trying a different gate (unless you're going so early that it's only the rotunda) maybe even through McFadden's where they always seem a little less concerned in general.

[Guest themetfairy]

The thought did occur to me.

My camera is far from commercial grade, but I don't know to whom I could appeal if someone gives me a hard time about it.

[Ceetar]

themetfairy wrote: The thought did occur to me. My camera is far from commercial grade, but I don't know to whom I could appeal if someone gives me a hard time about it.

No one. if you protest you're a terrorist. That's the motto of security these days.

Hmm, another thought is to go in the Hodges gate. It's the entrance the media use, but it's a normal entrance with elevators up to the field level.

[Guest themetfairy]

That's a good thought - thanks Ceetar!

[G-Fafif]

Bang-up profile by Steve Wulf of the late Johnny Callison, star among stars at Shea Stadium's only All-Star Game. This historical nugget is a beaut:

Callison isn't in the Hall of Fame, but the respect for him is there in Cooperstown. In the World Series display is the Spalding glove that Mets outfielder Tommie Agee used to make his legendary catches in the 1969 World Series. It's a Johnny Callison model.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Bang-up profile by Steve Wulf of the late Johnny Callison, star among stars at Shea Stadium's only All-Star Game. This historical nugget is a beaut: Callison isn't in the Hall of Fame, but the respect for him is there in Cooperstown. In the World Series display is the Spalding glove that Mets outfielder Tommie Agee used to make his legendary catches in the 1969 World Series. It's a Johnny Callison model.

Great pictures, too.


Game winning HR ball, '64 ASG, with dog bite marks, and Callison's ASG glove



Callison's game winning swing. Shea's fair territory bricks and original bullpen in the background.

[Frayed Knot]

Blue Jays reliever Steve Delabar and .... Freddie Freeman are the winners of the final spot vote-off.

So, contrary to what seems to be unanimous proclamations from the media, I guess not ALL baseball fans want nothing more than to
see Yasiel Puig in the All-Star Game.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Frayed Knot wrote: Blue Jays reliever Steve Delabar and .... Freddie Freeman are the winners of the final spot vote-off. So, contrary to what seems to be unanimous proclamations from the media, I guess not ALL baseball fans want nothing more than to see Yasiel Puig in the All-Star Game.

Commence sports columnists demanding an end to fan voting.....

[stevejrogers]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Blue Jays reliever Steve Delabar and .... Freddie Freeman are the winners of the final spot vote-off. So, contrary to what seems to be unanimous proclamations from the media, I guess not ALL baseball fans want nothing more than to see Yasiel Puig in the All-Star Game. Commence sports columnists demanding an end to fan voting.....

I forget if it was Stark himself or one of the Mikes on ESPN Radio's morning show, but a suggestion was made about a new roster slot for "hottest phenom" of the season to give to guys who come up late and catch fire.

Of course that will get promptly hijacked by fans of teams who have a veteran and multiple time All-Star return from a long stint on the DL (or suspended list), in June and is just red hot for the 6 weeks before the ASG.

[Frayed Knot]

The mainstream sports guys tend to get pissed when the flavor of the week players who are among the few that they actually know get passed over
in favor of other guys who they haven't heard of but who just may happen to be, you know, good.

[stevejrogers]

Frayed Knot wrote: The mainstream sports guys tend to get pissed when the flavor of the week players who are among the few that they actually know get passed over in favor of other guys who they haven't heard of but who just may happen to be, you know, good.

Perfect example of a more career scoping version of this is Colin Cowherd's idiotic stance that Craig Biggio should not be in the Hall of Fame, while Jose Canseco should, simply because of...well...here is David Bowie...

J-_30HA7rec

The thing is though, this is an extreme case of R.A. Dickey last year, Hideo Nomo from his rookie season, Fernandomania in 1981, Fydrich in his rookie season, where the press gets galvanized over a perceived "transcending the game, and entering the cultural zeitgeist" of these athletes they cover. Almost trying to appear more important than they actually are (hey, we are covering things relevant to pop culture, not just frivolous entertainment).

BTW, was half jokingly about to reply to your comment in the MFY thread about Jeter's return, that MFY ball lickers in the media and social media outlets were getting ready to bust out "after that game, Jeter should be named to the ASG!" Which, considering the media's fascination with Puig, might not be to absurd to consider...

[stevejrogers]

Frayed Knot wrote: "Puig ... who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in early June and turned in one the greatest single months any player has done over the last 140 years." No, he's had one of the greatest debut months over the last 100+ years. A very nice accomplishment indeed and a great month even for someone NOT new to the league, but overall it's a very different category than saying it's one of the great months of any kind ever. It's that kind of fact-twisting (intentional or otherwise) and lack of perspective that makes for a poor soap-box on which to lecture his audience on what is or isn't the best thing for baseball.

Oddly enough, this kind of proves my point towards a veteran playing his first game of the season in June for whatever reason (injury, suspension, hell even an inter-league trade after May 31st, or something akin to Tim Raines' 1987) and just playing out of this world his first month back.

There would be precedence using the logic Levine puts forth for fans of that team/player and media members, both national and local to demand that he be at the All-Star Game, especially if its a guy that is a long standing star using the "how can you have the game without HIM!?" argument.

[batmagadanleadoff]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/franco-classic-all-star-pitchman-article-1.1396555

ASG and NY Met Ambassador John Franco talks about growing up in Brooklyn and stumping for the Mets.

Shootout at Popeye Doyle's residence, set at the Marlboro Housing Projects, Franco's boyhood home, touches off one of the wildest car chase scenes in movie history.

[Frayed Knot]

SteveJRogers wrote: The thing is though, this is an extreme case of R.A. Dickey last year, Hideo Nomo from his rookie season, Fernandomania in 1981, Fydrich in his rookie season, where the press gets galvanized over a perceived "transcending the game, and entering the cultural zeitgeist" of these athletes they cover. Almost trying to appear more important than they actually are (hey, we are covering things relevant to pop culture, not just frivolous entertainment)..

It's not even so much that as it is plugging Puig over all others because they don't know who the others are!
If one were to give, say, Mike & Mike, a quiz on the AS roster where, given the name of the reserves, they then had to supply the team and position of each, Greenberg would miss on maybe 1/3 of them and Golic on probably twice that number. They and their colleagues aren't wrong in that Puig is a big story, just skewed in that they think he's the only one. They're not up on who else in the midst of a good season because they're too busy ranking the best quarterback in July and counting down the days until training camp openings. Clued in to Puig by those baseball nerds down the hall, they latched onto his story to the exclusion of just about everything else because they've got so little basis for comparison. Plus harping on this gives some the license to knock the baseball establishment for being too old and stodgy to include the likes of Puig. That's why it was particularly irksome to them when the internet-voting fans, presumed to be the younger and hipper ones, failed to vote the way ESPN assumed was a choice of one.

Hell, Puig being left off (and he still could get if via injuries etc.) isn't even the biggest injustice among LA Dodgers. Hanley Ramirez, who also is short on ABs (due to injuries in his case) has the same number of HRs in fewer ABs and is "out-slashing" [.402/.458/.726] Puig across the board. And, oh yeah, he's a SS who's already been a batting champ.