Folks and Their Blogs in 2013

[Guest Swan Swan H]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Swan Swan H wrote: Batmags is the Ron Jeremy of Mets doom porn. I'm not so sure that I get this. (Though I did get your quip, and right away, about Mindy McCready).

Just kicking back to JCL's earlier note in this thread, and your prominent appearance (much like Mr. Jeremy) in the classics of the genre.

[batmagadanleadoff]

G-Fafif wrote: When Citi Field opened, I remember the (then $16) lobster roll being the hook for a number of stories, either of an approving nature ("what a menu!") or disparaging ("sixteen bucks at the ballpark?"). Compared with everything else at Citi Field, edible or otherwise, it doesn't seem glaringly outrageous -- and given that your choices aren't $17 lobster roll or hunger, just don't order the fucking lobster roll. If payroll's gonna be significantly down (which is not necessarily a crime against baseball), it would be bloody brilliant if a few items here and there came down a notch at the concessions/in the stands. Like hot dogs, mainly. That would give the hardcore fan and family a real break. Charge whatever for the exotica, pony up to your own tastes or at your own risk. But dogs, fries, peanuts, pretzels, Cracker Jack, liquid refreshment beverages of a non-alcohol nature...treat them like the baseball staples they are. Maybe throw in one or two non-bad-for-you things while you're at it.

Just to clarify, the $17 lobster rolls don't offend me at all. The price, especially when also accounting for for the airport-like markup you'd expect at a ballpark, is more or less in line with what one should resonably expect to pay for a Citi Field lobster roll. It's a terrific option. And, like you wrote, no one's putting a gun to anyone's head to buy a lobster roll. Thumbs up on the $17 lobster roll.

[Ceetar]

This will likely be true for decades, but the price of food, souvenirs, parking, and tickets though to a lesser degree, is more related to NY's population and economy than the baseball operations part of the business. Yes, ultimately the baseball operations leads to more fans through the doors/attendance/customers but the prices are always going to be set to maximize revenue.

_you_ may think it's too much, but chances are if they lowered it too much they wouldn't make up in volume what they lose in price. So it won't go down. Same with tickets. There's always going to be a baseline crowd, and they're always going to try to sell the $100 seats first and the big games first before resorting to 'get them in the ballpark' tactics.

And maybe this is just because my perspective has changed, but I've never gone to Citi Field and felt like I get jipped. If I felt that anywhere, it's the nearly $30 in NYC tolls to get there.

[Edgy MD]

It's not "jipped," but "gypped," as in "swindled by gypsies."

Damn cheap-assed, wandering, Romani Wilpons with their price gauging and flamboyant dance traditions.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Ceetar wrote: And maybe this is just because my perspective has changed, but I've never gone to Citi Field and felt like I get jipped. If I felt that anywhere, it's the nearly $30 in NYC tolls to get there.

Nope, highway tolls are way below they would be at market rates. Parking too.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Ceetar wrote: And maybe this is just because my perspective has changed, but I've never gone to Citi Field and felt like I get jipped. If I felt that anywhere, it's the nearly $30 in NYC tolls to get there. Nope, highway tolls are way below they would be at market rates. Parking too.

Damn right. If I owned the Verrazano Bridge, I'd triple the toll fee. Anyone here doesn't like the tolls can walk to Citi Field.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: It's not "jipped," but "gypped," as in "swindled by gypsies." Damn cheap-assed, wandering, Romani Wilpons with their price gauging and flamboyant dance traditions.

gypsies. good..mnemonic device? wrong word here too? I thought it was 'g' but Chrome wouldn't auto-correct it properly.


yeah, tolls are probably market rate too, but I generally feel more gypped by expensive service charges than entertainment ones. I get 3-4 hours in a ballpark at Citi, all I get at the GWB is the privilege of sitting in CBX traffic.

[ashie62]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Ceetar wrote: And maybe this is just because my perspective has changed, but I've never gone to Citi Field and felt like I get jipped. If I felt that anywhere, it's the nearly $30 in NYC tolls to get there. Nope, highway tolls are way below they would be at market rates. Parking too.

There is mass transit..From NJ it doesnt pay to drive.. Morris/Essex line $14.50 round trip and then the 7..

I agree with Greg...Those who want to pony up for the exotics have at it...How about some hot dogs, peanuts and soda on the cheap.

The downside for the Mets is they may find the Hot dog lines 50 deep and the exotics lonely.

Sometimes its' just a matter of price elasticity.

Does the Lobster egg roll love you long time? If so $16 is a bargain..

[metirish]

Edgy MD wrote: It's not "jipped," but "gypped," as in "swindled by gypsies." Damn cheap-assed, wandering, Romani Wilpons with their price gauging and flamboyant dance traditions.

Got to say I am surprised that either of you used this term so freely.

[Edgy MD]

Hey, wait now, I'm using it in quotes. POINTS FOR IRONY!

[G-Fafif]

I've never been to Citi Field and felt tramped. Maybe a little thieved.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

G-Fafif wrote: I've never been to Citi Field and felt tramped. Maybe a little thieved.

But every night all the people come around and lay their money down.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, but that was for the Pumpsies, Beauchamps, and Grieves, so that's a little different.

[Frayed Knot]

And then there's always the option of seeing whether you can go without starving to death by not eating at all over a three hour period.
Risky, I know, but sometimes you just have to push the envelope.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Frayed Knot wrote: And then there's always the option of seeing whether you can go without starving to death by not eating at all over a three hour period. Risky, I know, but sometimes you just have to push the envelope.

I think this whenever I hear people gripe about not getting a good meal at the ballpark and wonder why they can't eat before or after the games. Admittedly that is easier to do in a neighborhood ballpark with restaurants nearby than at Citi Field. But it's not like New York is hurting for dining establishments.

[Guest themetfairy]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: And then there's always the option of seeing whether you can go without starving to death by not eating at all over a three hour period. Risky, I know, but sometimes you just have to push the envelope. I think this whenever I hear people gripe about not getting a good meal at the ballpark and wonder why they can't eat before or after the games. Admittedly that is easier to do in a neighborhood ballpark with restaurants nearby than at Citi Field. But it's not like New York is hurting for dining establishments.

I think you underestimate how far many people travel to get to games.

My commute is roughly two hours each way (and that's if the connecting trains work out well). Add four hours to a three hour game, and you're talking about a substantial amount of time.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Granted, tmf... but there ARE options.

When I used to head in for games with friends during high-school and college, I made the same trip; we would usually grab a sandwich from a great deli by our town's train station, and have our sandwiches on the way there (and, if we got peckish, at the game/on the way back).

[Guest themetfairy]

It's an option, but not one that I'd find particularly satisfying.

Nor should I have to. If I'm going to be away from my home for 7-10 hours, I should have the option of something more resembling a meal.

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Granted, tmf... but there ARE options. When I used to head in for games with friends during high-school and college, I made the same trip; we would usually grab a sandwich from a great deli by our town's train station, and have our sandwiches on the way there (and, if we got peckish, at the game/on the way back).

I did this at Shea, but now that the options are rarely better than just the couple extra bucks at Citi (And I make considerably more..or did..or could..or whatever) I haven't bothered. Also without a lot of pre-planning, leaving from work for a weekday game leaves less options.

Also, now there is good beer too.

[Ceetar]

speaking of blogs, I'm on the last two episodes of the Amazing Avenue Audio podcast saying stuff about stuff.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

G-Fafif wrote: I've never been to Citi Field and felt tramped. Maybe a little thieved.

Bad ass!

Where is this song in the top 500?

[Frayed Knot]

fwiw, SCRABBLE accepts GIP and GIPPED; GYP and GYPPED, but not JIP or JIPPED

[bmfc1]

G-Fafif wrote: I've never been to Citi Field

but I kinda like the music.

[metirish]

Megdal with this....

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/sports/2013/02/7987921/madoff-ravaged-mets-enter-stadium-deal-amway

it just looks fucking bad Fred

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Amway is based right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company certainly has its detractors, and Howard, as is his MO, paints the darkest possible picture. I notice he talks to critics, but no one from Amway.

Amway was founded by Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel.

As I sit here in my office, my building is connected to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, which played a huge role in revitalizing downtown. It's connected to the DeVos Performance Hall and DeVos Place convention hall. Up the street is the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. That's next to the Van Andel Institute, a huge medical research organization that just made a large breakthrough in Parkinson's disease.

To my right is the Van Andel Arena, where we have concerts and sporting events. Down the street is the DeVos Campus of Grand Rapids Community College. The other direction is the Richard DeVos Center at Grand Valley State University.

Nearby Hope College has the DeVos Field House.

The family also is paying for most -- if not all -- of the middle school athletics programs for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, and they are active in an early childhood effort as well.

ArtPrize, the art competition that has brings hundreds of thousands of visitors and national attention, was created four years ago by Rick DeVos, the grandson.

The son, Dick, is usually the one who attracts the barbs because he is active in conservative politics.

I'm not saying they are saints. There are plenty of people who criticize the business model. But in his rush to pile on the Wilpons, Howard is not being balanced.

[stevejrogers]

Megdal with this.... http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/sports/2013/02/7987921/madoff-ravaged-mets-enter-stadium-deal-amway it just looks fucking bad Fred

Its on Deadspin as well

http://m.deadspin.com/5986838/the-new-york-mets-latest-partnership-is-with-a-company-that-specializes-in-pyramid-schemes

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Amway is based right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company certainly has its detractors, and Howard, as is his MO, paints the darkest possible picture. I notice he talks to critics, but no one from Amway.

He talks to a spokesperson, and quotes the company's own website liberally.

I know Bear Stearns/JP Morgan and CitiGroup were major contributors to charities for/with which I've worked. I also hear Gotti was a hell of a charitable guy around the neighborhood. Amway isn't just built on some fraud-- it's premised on the stuff. That ill-gotten gains are-- in part-- charitably spent doesn't make them any less ill-gotten.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Amway also wanted to lease some Citi Field scoreboard advertising. But there's no more room.

[batmagadanleadoff]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Amway also wanted to lease some Citi Field scoreboard advertising. But there's no more room.

Look at that Goya ad! They're selling advertising space on the scoreboard portion of the advertising-board. Classy.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Who knows what the deal is between the Mets and Amway, but they couldn't have chosen a worse co-tenant from a pure image standpoint.

The Mets really are terrible at owning the Mets. Unfortunately they are the only ones who do!