G-Fafif

Before first place was attained this afternoon, 33 was revealed (so say the press notes) by original Shea Stadium vendor Brian McNamara. This is an appropriate choice since most of the pretzels sold at Shea today date back to 1964. In Oughta Be land, 32 came down to the strains of "Hail to the Chief," as we remember Shea's interaction with presidents and presidential progeny: --Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg: In memory of the high-profile trips Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and John F. Kennedy, Jr. made to Shea (the '69 World Series among them) --Edward Cox: Son-in-law of President Nixon, a box seat staple of sorts in the late '80s --George H.W. Bush: Threw out the first pitches of the 1971 and 1985 seasons and is nephew to late Mets board member G. Herbert Walker --Bill Clinton: First sitting (or, on crutches that night, limping) president to attend Shea as part of Jackie Robinson Night, plus has taken in a few games now that he's local Shea Stadium: Always with the presidential seal of approval.

Maybe not as epic as breaking the MGIM streak, but I do believe bmfc1 was in attendance today, up from our nation's capital for the final time, sons and father in two, three generations of fc's (as it were) in their last game at Shea. And what a game they chose!

Cowboys, Cardinals, Colts. Giants and Jets went a combined 6-22 in 1975, 3-11 apiece. Jets were 1-7 at Shea, Giants 2-6. Chances were everybody was going to go something-and-oh against the lot of them wherever they played. The Giants' two Shea wins in '75 were over the 2-12 Chargers and 2-12 Saints. The Jets' only Shea win that year was against the 3-11 Pats. Goodness did it ever suck being a New York football fan in the 1970s.

Been holding off on making such a list (and I love to make lists) until I know I'll never be inside Shea again. Will get back to you after 9/28, maybe later, knock wood.

AG/DC wrote: Obviously the Mets deserve criticism after last night, but this? When you're goin' horsespit... That's an ugly shirt Manuel's wearing, too.

Number 33 (and a 1/3, if you like) is removed by someone who was at Shea just last week, with a little help from his friend: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

AG/DC wrote: Why is there confusion among different sources about who performed at the Festival for Peace? Why are some folks adamant one way about Hendrix and others adamant the other? Surely there are Hendrix biographers who have chronicled every time he's strapped on the guitar in front of an audience, if not every note he's played. The amazing Loge 13 did a piece on the Festival and collected remembrances from a bunch of concertgoers. The unanimous consensus: we didn't see Jimi Hendrix there.

If they were looking to construct a Worst Moments Ballot, I think we can safely pencil in July 22, 2008.

The purpose of this list might have been better served if they'd broken it into a few categories, separating baseball from non-baseball, post-season from regular season. I give them credit for trying to include the multipurposeness of Shea but, c'mon, who among those who will vote (presumably 99% Mets fans) is going to vote for anything but the Mets stuff, save for maybe the Jets winning the AFL championship and the Beatles playing and maybe the Pope? A lot of wonderful Mets Shea stuff seems to have been officially forgotten, but what else is new? Makes me wonder why 75 was the magic number. This is a much longer post, but why, for example, the first Interleague game against the Red Sox but not the Matt Franco Game? Why the installation of the Apple (which they can't pin down) and not the Steve Henderson Game that encapsulated the Magic Is Back summer that the hat was inspired by? How do you overlook the five-run ninth that did in Curt Schilling in favor of the Ventura grand slams (more trivia than momentous) from a few days earlier? How could they exclude Tom Seaver's Opening Day return in 1983? Did Dwight Gooden ever inspire anybody to hang K's? What about... Oh forget it. For now. Nitpicking the facts as they present them: They got the date of the '73 Pennant clinching wrong; it was October 10. And "the game" wasn't lit by car headlights during the blackout. It was what they did to light the field so as to pantomime a baseball game and entertain the crowd. And Jimi Hendrix did not play the Festival for Peace. And so on, probably.

Mets are soliciting our votes (everybody's not just CPF's, darn it all to heck) for the ten greatest moments at Shea, some less moment-y than others. The list is here. And here: ]1960's: April 17, 1964 - The first Mets game is held at Shea, in front of 48,736 fans. April 19, 1964 - The Mets beat Pittsburgh, 6-0, for their first win at Shea. May 31, 1964 - Longest Day. The second game of a doubleheader vs. San Francisco lasts 23 innings. July 7, 1964 - All-Star Game at Shea. The NL scores four times in the ninth inning to beat the AL. September 12, 1964 - First Jets game at Shea. Jets rout Denver, 30-6, in front of 45,665 fans. June 17, 1965 - First International Soccer Game - Brazil vs. England August 15, 1965 - The Beatles hold the first major outdoor stadium concert, in front of a crowd over 60,000 September 2, 1965 - Casey Stengel's #37 is the first Mets uniform to be retired. October 9, 1965 - Army vs. Notre Dame college football. Notre Dame beats Army 17-0 with President Nixon in attendance. August 23, 1966 - The Beatles play return engagement at Shea with over 45,000 in attendance. May 21, 1966 - Puerto Rican Silver Medalist Jose "Chegui" Torres defeats Wayne Thornton in 15 rounds to defend his Light Heavyweight Championship September 29, 1966 - Emil Griffith defeats Nino Benvenuti to win the world middleweight title. June 1-8, 1967 - Ice Capades are held outside during one of the hottest weeks of the year. December 29, 1968 - Jets vs. Raiders AFL Championship Game. The Jets advance to Super Bowl III with 27-23 win. April 10, 1969 - Tommie Agee belts the longest home run in the stadium's history - the only fair ball to reach Shea's upper deck. July 9, 1969 - Tom Seaver retires 25 straight Cubs before the perfect game is broken up by Jimmy Qualls. September 9, 1969 - Black Cat Game. Fateful feline crosses Cubs dugout as New York wins to pull within a half game of first place. September 24, 1969 - Mets clinch the NL East with a 6-0 win over St. Louis. October 6, 1969 - Mets defeat Atlanta, 7-4 in NLCS Game 3 - the first postseason game at Shea - to advance to the World Series. October 14, 1969 - First World Series game at Shea. The Mets beat the Orioles, 5-0 with 56,635 fans in attendance. October 15, 1969 - Mets defeat Orioles 2-1 in the 10th inning to win World Series Game 4 with 57,367 fans in attendance. October 16, 1969 - Mets win their first World Championship with a 5-3 win over Baltimore with 57,397 fans in attendance. 1970's: April 22, 1970 - Tom Seaver strikes out 19 Padres en route to a 2-1 win on the first-ever Earth Day at Shea. June 23-28, 1970 - Billy Graham holds rally before 36,500 fans. August 6, 1970 - Summer Festival for Peace features Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, Creedence Clearwater Revival. July 9, 1971 - Grand Funk Railroad in concert becomes second group, after the Beatles, to sell out Shea Stadium. May 14, 1972 - Willie Mays hits first home game as a Met off Don Carrithers in a 5-4 Mother's Day win over the Giants. June 9, 1973 - Gil Hodges #14 is formally retired. September 20, 1973 - The Ball on the Wall play highlights a 13-inning win over the Pirates to pull within a half game of first. September 25, 1973 - Willie Mays Night at Shea ends with Willie saying good-bye after a 2-1 win over the Expos. October 8, 1973 - NLCS Game 3 - Bud Harrelson and Pete Rose start bench-clearing brawl in a 9-2 Mets win. October 9, 1973 - NLCS Game 5 - The winner take all game ends in a 7-2 Mets win over Cincinnati. October 18, 1973 - Mets beat Oakland, 2-0, in World Series Game 5. Jerry Koosman and Tug McGraw pitch a shutout. 1975 Sports Season - Mets, Yankees, Jets and Giants all play at Shea. October 12, 1975 - The Giants (NFL) host the Dallas Cowboys in their first game at Shea - a 13-7 loss. November 15, 1975 - Grambling vs. Norfolk State features coach Eddie Robinson and future Super Bowl MVP, Doug Williams. July 23, 1976 - Jethro Tull performs in concert. August 17, 1976 - Pele plays in Cosmos vs. Washington professional soccer match at Shea. July 13, 1977 - The lights go out at Shea - Game lit by car headlights as Jane Jarvis plays Christmas songs on the organ. October 3, 1979 - Pope John Paul II visits Shea. An all day rainstorm ends just as the Pontiff begins his service. October 15, 1979 - Howard Cosell and ABCs Monday Night Football's first appearance at Shea. The Jets beat Minnesota, 14-7. 1980's: 1981 Season - The Home Run Apple Hat "arrives" before the 1981 campaign. October 12-13, 1982 - The Who in concert, draws nearly 140,000 for the two days. August 6, 1983 - Simon & Garfunkel perform in concert. August 18, 1983 - The Police play in front of a sold out crowd of 70,000. December 10, 1983 - The Jets final game at Shea is a 34-7 loss to the Steelers with 53,996 in attendance. April 9, 1985 - Gary Carter begins Mets career with a walkoff home run in the 10th inning to beat St. Louis on Opening Day. September 17, 1986 - Mets clinch NL East with a 4-2 win over Chicago before 47,823. October 11, 1986 - Lenny Dykstra's two-run home run in the ninth lifts New York over Houston in Game 3 of the NLCS, 6-5. October 14, 1986 - Gary Carter's 12th inning single gives the Mets a 2-1 win in NLCS Game 5 vs. Houston. October 25, 1986 - World Series Game 6 vs. Boston. Enough said. October 27, 1986 - World Series Game 7 vs. Boston. New York wins its second title with an 8-5 triumph. July 24, 1988 - Mets retire Tom Seaver's #41 in a pre-game ceremony. September 22, 1988 - Mets clinch NL East with a 3-1 win over Philadelphia October, 1989 - Rolling Stones perform six shows - October 10, 11, 25, 26, 28, and 29. 1990's: August 21-22, 1992 - Elton John/Eric Clapton perform in concert. September 14, 1996 - Todd Hundley sets the single season record for a Major League catcher with his 41st home run. April 15, 1997 - President Clinton, Bud Selig, and Rachel Robinson attend 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League debut. June 13, 1997 - First Interleague Game at Shea - The Red Sox down the Mets, 8-4 with 44,443 in attendance. April 15, 1998 - The Yankees and Mets each play different teams at Shea to make for an unusual doubleheader. May 20, 1999 - Robin Ventura becomes the first in Major League history to hit a grand slam in both games of a doubleheader. October 3, 1999 - Melvin Mora scores on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to force a one-game playoff the next night at Cincinnati. October 9, 1999 - Todd Pratt hits a solo home run in NLDS Game 4 vs. Arizona to send the Mets to the NLCS. October 17, 1999 - Robin Ventura hits walkoff "grand slam single" in the bottom of the 15th inning against Atlanta in NLCS Game 5. 2000's: June 30, 2000 - Mike Piazza homers in the eighth to score three, of a then franchise-record 10 runs, to top the Braves 11-8. October 7, 2000 - Benny Agbayani's 13th inning solo home run in NLDS Game 3 gives the Mets a 3-2 win over San Francisco. October 8, 2000 - Bobby Jones tosses one-hitter against the Giants as Mets advance to NLCS with a 4-0 NLDS Game 4 win. October 16, 2000 - Mets advance to the World Series with a 7-0 win over St. Louis in NLCS Game 5. September 21, 2001 - Mike Piazza's home run vs. the Braves helps heal New York in its first sporting event since 9/11. October 1-3, 2003 - Bruce Springsteen ends his world tour at Shea Stadium. May 5, 2004 - Mike Piazza sets Major League mark for career home runs by a catcher with number 352, in win over the Giants. September 18, 2006 - Mets clinch NL East with a 4-0 win over Florida. October 4, 2006 - Two Dodgers are tagged out at home as the Mets beat the Dodgers 6-5 in NLDS Game 1. October 19, 2006 - Endy Chavez' makes one of the best catches in postseason history in NLCS Game 7. July 16 & July 18 - Billy Joel performs two sold-out concerts in front of a combined crowd of 115,000 for "The Last Play at Shea".

Except Jose would probably grow enamored of the 257-foot right field corner. Willie Mays had 20 triples in his final Polo Grounds season, 1957. Ten at home, ten on the road. Of course Willie Mays' glove was where triples went to die.

Tonight in reality, it's Jesse Orosco and number 35. Jesse appeared as part of FAFIF's All-Star salute at number 37. Tonight in Oughta Be, Number 34 is pulled down by somebody not quite as sanctified as Jesse Orosco in Shea circles: Edward Cardinal Egan, standing in for Pope John Paul II who did a Shea drop-by on October 3, 1979.

="Benjamin Grimm":1n45zm6u]They should have replicated that deep part of center field.[/quote:1n45zm6u] Perfect for Beltran and his Play Deep tendencies. seawolf17 Jul 22 2008 01:21 PM Could you imagine? Reyes would have about ninety triples. G-Fafif Jul 22 2008 01:28 PM Except Jose would probably grow enamored of the 257-foot right field corner. Willie Mays had 20 triples in his final Polo Grounds season, 1957. Ten at home, ten on the road. Of course Willie Mays' glove was where triples went to die. metsguyinmichigan Jul 22 2008 01:33 PM I like that the bullpens are on the field, in play -- but so far deep that it was probably even an issue. Benjamin Grimm Jul 22 2008 01:37 PM Well, I wouldn't replicate the short distances along the foul lines in left and right field, but a normal-shaped outfield, with that center-field notch would be cool. And I'd even be tempted to make it so that the dugouts didn't connect to the clubhouse. (Wasn't that how it was at the Polo Grounds? The players had to enter and exit the field from the gates in the center field fence.) I don't think modern players would see the charm in that, though. Gwreck Jul 22 2008 03:55 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":37aeqwcw]Well, I wouldn't replicate the short distances along the foul lines in left and right field, but a normal-shaped outfield, with that center-field notch would be cool.[/quote:37aeqwcw] They have that, with a hill, in Houston. Benjamin Grimm Jul 22 2008 03:56 PM Is the hill in a notch? (The hill is stupid, by the way.) themetfairy Jul 22 2008 04:05 PM I hate that hill. Someday an outfielder is going to severely injure himself on that idiotic thing. soupcan Sep 17 2008 08:02 AM Nice pic... HahnSolo Sep 17 2008 08:05 AM I think they need to put a few more signs up. No one will ever know what the place is called. bmfc1 Sep 17 2008 08:09 AM Ugh. New SI. Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 08:11 AM That stadium's been gone for 35 years. Boy, SI is really on top of things. What's their cover story going to be next week? Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston? HahnSolo Sep 17 2008 08:11 AM How dare SI show the Cathedral with all those empty seats!!! bmfc1 Sep 17 2008 08:14 AM This isn't an original thought, but if it's a "Cathedral", then why is it being torn down? John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 17 2008 08:16 AM nevermind metirish Sep 17 2008 08:19 AM Lord Jeter now has the most hits ever at the Cathedral. It meant nothing to him though becasue it came in a loss , he's such a fucking winner. metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 08:36 AM ="HahnSolo":dxqfqex4]I think they need to put a few more signs up. No one will ever know what the place is called.[/quote:dxqfqex4] \ Note the ones that are flat on the roof -- intended for those blimp shots? Or the people flying into LaGuardia? John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 17 2008 08:36 AM LaGuardia for sure. metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 08:38 AM ="HahnSolo":3fy1n3ug]How dare SI show the Cathedral with all those empty seats!!![/quote:3fy1n3ug] Good point! I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. And it's not batting practice or anything. Note that the article is written by Supreme Yankee Hack Tom Verducci. I can only imagine... metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 09:32 AM GAG. Verducci on SI.com Next year the Yankees will play in a ballpark with less history than Nationals Ballpark, that generic mistake in Washington. The new Yankee Stadium will be a stupendous colossus of a revenue generator, which has replaced charm or architectural achievement (why can't we build a Bird's Nest?) as the official measurement of the modern ballpark, with no corners cut. There even will be a female umpires dressing room. But you will not be able to say the Babe, the Mick, Joe D. or even Frank Tepedino played there. Starting Sunday, when the lights go out at Yankee Stadium, the cord will be cut, the lineage interrupted. The ballpark history doesn't cross the street with the Yankees. Forget for a moment where Babe Ruth played. Now there will be only one ballpark left where the Dodgers' Jackie Robinson played: Wrigley Field. It's not quite building over Civil War battlefields, but you get the idea. Once it's gone, upon the last flick of the last switch Sunday night, it's gone. SteveJRogers Sep 17 2008 09:39 AM ="metsguyinmichigan"]="HahnSolo"]How dare SI show the Cathedral with all those empty seats!!! Good point! I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. And it's not batting practice or anything. Note that the article is written by Supreme Yankee Hack Tom Verducci. I can only imagine... Shows you what an event driven culture we are living in today. More to that point, check out these pics from the last actual game at YS I September 30th, 1973 Attendance was barely 30,000 that afternoon. Gwreck Sep 17 2008 09:59 AM ="SteveJRogers":1x7ecf62]Attendance was barely 30,000 that afternoon.[/quote:1x7ecf62] Actual attendance or tickets sold? I expect to see empty seats on Sunday, both because the Yankees will have been eliminated, and because it's an 8:10 start time on a Sunday night. How many? We'll have to wait and see. MFS62 Sep 17 2008 10:11 AM ="metirish":24t9gccc]Lord Jeter now has the most hits ever at the Cathedral. [/quote:24t9gccc] I came home just in time to hear the sports guy (Scott somethingorother) on ABC-TV New York, ch 7, say "Jeter became the all time leading hitter in Yankee Stadium history." This guy has been there for years. But isn't the all time leading hitter the guy with the highest batting average? Isn't the way Irish wrote it more correct? Shouldn't a guy who has been doing the sports for many years know the difference? Later Fman99 Sep 17 2008 10:21 AM This thread and the "cathedral" stuff makes me want to vomit, eat my vomit, then shit and eat my shit-vomit. holychicken Sep 17 2008 10:56 AM What stadium is in that picture on the cover of SI? I figured they were talking about Yankee Stadium, but I was there earlier this year and it looked nothing like that. I am ever so confused. Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 11:01 AM ]Shows you what an event driven culture we are living in today Not to mention how far baseball's popularity has plummeted since then. Oh wait! SteveJRogers Sep 17 2008 01:22 PM Oh a shot from Left Field huh? Course you DO have to take into consideration the sparse crowds in Miami, heck how about the Rays not selling out the biggest series in their franchise's history? To say nothing about how the "new park spike" failed to take hold in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Cincy, and Philly. Lets not compare attendance at River Avenue & 161st on 9/30/73 and 9/21/08 and say simply that baseball is in better shape now than it was back in 1973. Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 01:30 PM No, but we could take ALL attendance figures from the early '70s and compare them to now, but you're just going to ignore those anyway since you prefer to start with the answer first and then only use the data which conforms to the pre-dertermined conclusion. metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 01:32 PM I think you can compare total attendace from today and 1973 and easily see that baseball is in better shape. Naturally, you'd have to subtract the six teams added since. But I bet the average attendance is still better. G-Fafif Sep 17 2008 02:13 PM The sad part about Verducci's piece is it's written as if MFYS II is talking. The saving grace is it all but admits it's not the same building it was up to '73. ]I really haven't been myself since 1973, when they cut me clean open and for two years rearranged most of my vital organs (even the one that nimble-fingered Eddie Layton used to play), removed some of them and put me back together in such a way that I looked nothing like I did before.{/quote] If this whole farewell thing had been framed Goodbye MFYS II, where 33 seasons of unforgettable baseball occurred, would it have not been sufficient? (Not for the MFY myth, no it wouldn't have been.) Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:18 PM A few decades from now, if not sooner, the official story will be that the construction of the new stadium was just a "refurbishment" and that it's still the same park that Ruth and Gehrig played in. The story will be that the city offered the Yankees a new stadium, but they said, "Thanks but no thanks. We'll stay in the House that Ruth Built." If you say anything often enough, it becomes true. metirish Sep 17 2008 02:18 PM ] River Avenue & 161st You mean yankee stadium? Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 02:19 PM Edited 3 time(s), most recently on Sep 17 2008 04:49 PM ]... you'd have to subtract the six teams added since. But I bet the average attendance is still better. Not merely better; - but better for every single existing club - approx 2.2 times better on average for existing clubs - approx 2.65 times better for MLB as a whole - 1973 shows 7 teams failing to draw 1 million vs 2007 where just 2 fail to draw 1.5mil - 2 teams out of 24 drew 2+mil in 1973 vs 24 of 30 in '07 - 5 teams drew 1.5mil or more (Ana, Cinc, NYM, Det, StL) then vs all but the two Florida teams now BTW, the "sparse crowds" in Miami and Tampa you deride today would have been known as 'above average' in 1973, finishing 9th & 10th out of 24 teams including ahead of both Chicago teams, Anaheim, Baltimore, San Fran, Atlanta, and, oh yeah, the Yanquis Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:19 PM ="metirish"]] River Avenue & 161st You mean yankee stadium? Nobody calls it that anymore. G-Fafif Sep 17 2008 02:26 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":duidosp0]A few decades from now, if not sooner, the official story will be that the construction of the new stadium was just a "refurbishment" and that it's still the same park that Ruth and Gehrig played in. The story will be that the city offered the Yankees a new stadium, but they said, "Thanks but no thanks. We'll stay in the House that Ruth Built." If you say anything often enough, it becomes true.[/quote:duidosp0] Amen. I wonder how much more than usual Shea will be bashed by the MFY suckups and knownothings during its final homestand. "At least the Yankees had the decency to definitively end their unprecedented run of success with finality. The Mets don't even have the decency to let their fans know that they will be eliminated by their last regular-season game. And Derek Jeter just set another secret record no one knew existed until ten minutes ago." Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:32 PM Trivia question: Which Met had the most hits at Shea Stadium, and how many did he have? G-Fafif Sep 17 2008 02:38 PM Derek Jeter. A million. dgwphotography Sep 17 2008 02:38 PM I'd have to say Mr. Kranepool. SteveJRogers Sep 17 2008 02:40 PM My guess would be Kranepool metirish Sep 17 2008 02:40 PM Will Jeter's hit record carry over into the new stadium ? "hits falling like a soft rain here at River Av & 161 St" Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:44 PM Yup, Kranepool. 691. If Jose Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, he'll tie Kranepool's record. MFS62 Sep 17 2008 02:55 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1s85f85k]Yup, Kranepool. 691. If Jose Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, he'll tie Kranepool's record.[/quote:1s85f85k] If Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, my keen, analytical mind tell me the Mets will have a pretty good shot at making the playoffs. Later metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 02:56 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":2si2fpvi]Yup, Kranepool. 691. If Jose Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, he'll tie Kranepool's record.[/quote:2si2fpvi] Verducci's likely take: "Reyes turned in a Jeter-like performance that was worthy of the Cathedreal (pauses to wipe tear) but will have to settle for the blue place by the airport." metirish Sep 18 2008 07:05 AM Lord Jeter played his 1,000th game at Yankee Stadium last night , not sure if that's a record but it should be. A-Rod meanwhile joined some good company. ] A-Rod's home run matches feat accomplished by Babe Ruth BY Anthony McCarron DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Thursday, September 18th 2008, 1:04 AM Alex Rodriguez joined Babe Ruth and left Hank Aaron and Mike Schmidt behind. A-Rod's eighth-inning homer was his 35th this season, giving him 12 years with 35 or more. Ruth is the only other player with that many seasons with at least 35 homers. A-Rod also became the first player in baseball history to have 12 seasons with 35 or more HRs and 100 or more RBI. Ruth did that 11 times. It made for an interesting night for Rodriguez - he was booed in the second and fifth when he looked bad striking out each time. He said "it just felt good to put the ball in play tonight. I've stunk, honestly. "Mechanically, I've got some things that need fixing. I know the score - when I stink, I get booed. When I do good, they cheer. It's all right." Rodriguez also has 35 or more homers in 11 consecutive seasons, breaking a tie with Sammy Sosa for most all-time. DocTee Sep 18 2008 08:21 AM Who's up for a game of impromptu whiffle ball at St. Pat's? Or the local temple? My grade school buddies and I once plotted this in our school's church-- laid out ground rules and evything, before we realized WTF, it's a church, not a playground. HahnSolo Sep 18 2008 08:25 AM With every HR, water sprays from the Baptismal font. soupcan Oct 22 2008 12:21 PM Some more good ones here... AG/DC Oct 22 2008 12:26 PM Wow. A lot of fire hydrants. themetfairy Oct 22 2008 12:36 PM It looks nice. What's with the faux bridge inside the park? John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 22 2008 12:46 PM Apparently "bridges" are to be incorporated/suggested throughout in a nod to the Met logo and theoir representation of connecting the boroughs. Park looks awfully closed, with all of left field behind the stands and some goofy shit in right center. metsguyinmichigan Oct 22 2008 02:26 PM Are all those grey rectangles near the scoreboard and lights future ads? That sure does seem like a lot of them. Centerfield Oct 22 2008 02:54 PM Where are the bullpens? And I don't like that funky shit in right-center either. I hope we don't have any contrived "quirks" in this field. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 22 2008 03:09 PM I think the 'pens have to be in that right-center funkiness, shots at the link have closeups showing there's some crap going in there anyway. I know the stands there are supposed to hover over the warning track, so get ready for quirktastic action. Farmer Ted Oct 22 2008 03:13 PM Looks like those gray areas will be ads...and one right up there in between the light posts in left? I predict that's the "Company formerly known as Keyspan" ad location. I like the configuration of the lights in the Chrysler Building motif. Tall outfield walls in left? Gwreck Oct 22 2008 03:26 PM Bullpens are under the two bridges. OlerudOwned Oct 22 2008 04:07 PM So many in-play bleachers. Weeeiiiird. soupcan Oct 30 2008 06:51 PM Edgy DC Oct 30 2008 08:07 PM I like foul territory in the outfield, and not bleacher walls two feet away that run parallel to the line. Not to pick. Zhea didn't have much. Willets Point Oct 30 2008 08:30 PM A full set of bleachers along the outfield fence is one thing I really think Shea could have/should have had but didn't. metsguyinmichigan Oct 30 2008 11:53 PM I like it. Though it looks like it is supposed to be surrounded by a neighborhood. Shea looked comfortable surrounded by parking lots, Citi looks a little out of place that way. SteveJRogers Oct 31 2008 06:06 AM Well, that is something that it will have in common with Citizens Bank Ballpark as well! Oh it is in South Philly, but the distance between the neighboorhood and the Sports Complex is roughly the same as Citi/Shea and Flushing/Corona. I'm pretty sure these are the only two of the "newer" ballparks not to be smack dab in the middle of some residential or comerical area. Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 06:54 AM I agree. Shea looked more suited for a big parking lot than Citi Field does. And Citizens Bank Park is in the same category, but since it's close to the Eagles' stadium, it at least looks like it's part of a complex. Citi Field will get its urban neighbors if the Willets Point development plan goes forward. It may be years before that happens, if it ever does. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 07:02 AM They want to raze the chop shops, of course, but the facing of the administrative building attached to Citi Field on 126th St. does kind of blend in with those businesses (savory or otherwise) across the street. Agreed, however, on Citi Field in a parking lot. It may as well be Six Flags Over Baseball. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 07:12 AM Yeah, I said that shit years ago. Where's my no prize? Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 07:13 AM I think the Rangers' stadium is also one of those parking lot buildings. (The Six Flags comment made me think of it; you drive right past the ballpark on the way to the theme park.) metsguyinmichigan Oct 31 2008 08:49 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":3gs27u3n]I think the Rangers' stadium is also one of those parking lot buildings. (The Six Flags comment made me think of it; you drive right past the ballpark on the way to the theme park.)[/quote:3gs27u3n] Milwaukee, too. SteveJRogers Oct 31 2008 10:11 AM Completely forgot about The Ted in Atlanta as well, which is also off a highway pretty much. Which is funny considering The Georgia Dome and whatever replaced The Omni (home of NBA Hawks and NHL Thrashers) is located right in the middle of Atlanta's business district. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 11:24 AM So the Mets aren't just late to the retro game, they're following the wrong fork in the road. soupcan Oct 31 2008 11:39 AM They could fix that though. Once Shea comes down will they really need that parking beyond left field at Citi? Develop that area with condos, hotels, etc. and you've got an area with water views and maybe a Wrigley-type atmosphere at street level. metsguyinmichigan Oct 31 2008 11:46 AM Good call. But would right field be better? You have the train station, the park, the tennis places. Onther side looks like the Interstate. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 11:55 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 31 2008 12:03 PM Well, the idea of the architecture not being complemented by a surrounding neighborhood demands that you build your faux Sesame Streets by the front of the building, doesn't it? soupcan Oct 31 2008 11:57 AM ="Edgy DC":jmnbig1j]Well, the idea of the architecture not being complemented by a surrounding neighborhood demands that you build your faux Sesame Streets by the front of the building, doesn't it?[/quote:jmnbig1j] I think so. I do prefer 'Disney Streets' to Sesame Streets' but I see where you got that and where you're going Mr. Hooper. Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 11:58 AM It's that area across from right field that's proposed for redevelopment, isn't it? The plans do include a hotel. I could easily see myself staying in a hotel there and walking back to the room after a night game. soupcan Oct 31 2008 12:12 PM Yes - right field. Here's the plan... G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 12:23 PM Having been down 126th St. quite recently, that artist's rendering of the vibrant Citi Village or whatever it would be called is fanciful beyond all sense of reality. Great if it happens, but don't hold your breath (unless you park amid the chop shops where they don't have working sewers). soupcan Oct 31 2008 12:25 PM I agree, but don't understimate your soon-to-be three term mayor. He does seem to be able to get what he wants, and he wants this. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 12:27 PM If he can get the law changed that easily, I wouldn't put anything past him. Willets Point Oct 31 2008 12:27 PM Those artist's renderings are pretty hilarious. Farmer Ted Oct 31 2008 12:47 PM My attempt at posting the satellite view of Turner Field in Atlanta bonked. In any case, you can check it out on Google satellite maps. They retained the base paths and fence outline in the concrete of Fulton County stadium (adjacent to the Ted). There is a monument honoring the location of Hank's record setting home run. Thought it was cool, that's all. soupcan Oct 31 2008 12:51 PM ="Farmer Ted"]My attempt at posting the satellite view of Turner Field in Atlanta bonked. In any case, you can check it out on Google satellite maps. They retained the base paths and fence outline in the concrete of Fulton County stadium (adjacent to the Ted). There is a monument honoring the location of Hank's record setting home run. Thought it was cool, that's all. Centerfield Oct 31 2008 01:03 PM ="G-Fafif":2jjfbchs]If he can get the law changed that easily, I wouldn't put anything past him.[/quote:2jjfbchs] The vote is going to be held in November. Other redevelopment projects, not on the scale of Willets Point, have already been approved by large margins, if that is any indication of what is to come. metsguyinmichigan Oct 31 2008 01:07 PM That's cool! (Both the Ted and the renderings.) St. Louis has some Ballpark Village plans, but as I saw a couple weeks ago, it's still a big dirt patch. Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 01:10 PM I like that ghost image of Fulton County Stadium. I hope they do as nice a job for Shea. HahnSolo Oct 31 2008 01:37 PM This is the Mets. Don't hold your breath. metirish Oct 31 2008 01:41 PM It would be a hell of a poke but in the new stadium we could have the "Chop Shop Splash" home run , although it might not be safe for the kids to be lining up out there waiting for one. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 01:46 PM ="HahnSolo":3hpj3xtg]This is the Mets. Don't hold your breath.[/quote:3hpj3xtg] I'm still stunned they built a new ballpark when targeted. I would have bet on a Shea "it'll be ready in 1963" scenario. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 02:01 PM ="Willets Point":3vog3czv]Those artist's renderings are pretty hilarious.[/quote:3vog3czv] What? You doubt that Shea's environs will be entirely populated by the thin, the neat, and the white? G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 02:24 PM ="Edgy DC":iyjlmtms]="Willets Point":iyjlmtms]Those artist's renderings are pretty hilarious.[/quote:iyjlmtms] What? You doubt that Shea's environs will be entirely populated by the thin, the neat, and the white?[/quote:iyjlmtms] And where are the hovercraft? soupcan Oct 31 2008 07:40 PM ="G-Fafif"]And where are the hovercraft? Now that's funny. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 08:46 PM How 'bout some love for the straight man? SteveJRogers Oct 31 2008 08:53 PM ="G-Fafif":gggwrmyu]="HahnSolo":gggwrmyu]This is the Mets. Don't hold your breath.[/quote:gggwrmyu] I'm still stunned they built a new ballpark when targeted. I would have bet on a Shea "it'll be ready in 1963" scenario.[/quote:gggwrmyu] HA! Anyone recall, or know what the hangup was there? I mean it was literally right there on the 1962 program, "The 1963 Home Of The Mets" and all! soupcan Oct 31 2008 09:19 PM ="Edgy DC":3izds9qf]How 'bout some love for the straight man?[/quote:3izds9qf] Goes without saying. Willets Point Oct 31 2008 11:09 PM ="Edgy DC":2ld5yelf]How 'bout some love for the straight man?[/quote:2ld5yelf] Always working the gay icon angle aren't you? Edgy DC Nov 01 2008 06:32 AM I'm a straight man in need of gay love, or something. metirish Nov 03 2008 08:51 AM ] City now owns over 40% of Willets Point after latest buy By John Lauinger Daily News Staff Writer Monday, November 3rd 2008, 10:29 AM The city has gobbled up another chunk of Willets Point in Queens as Mayor Bloomberg pushes his plan to transform the gritty industrial zone near Shea Stadium. In the biggest land deal to date in the neighborhood, the city persuaded Indian food distributor House of Spices - the second-largest landowner at Willets Point - to sell its 4 acres, city officials told the Daily News. The deal is expected to be announced Monday along with an agreement for a third of an acre owned by another company. Combined with previously inked deals, the city now controls more than 40% of the 62-acre tangle of auto body shops and other businesses - and could soon have half the land. Bloomberg wants to spend $3 billion to turn the area into a glitzy enclave of 5,500 residences, stores, a hotel and a convention center. The percentage of city-controlled land is becoming increasingly important as pressure mounts on Bloomberg to sell skeptical City Council members on his plan before Nov. 13. That is the deadline for the Council to take a make-or-break vote on the proposal. Previously, 32 of 51 Council members signed a letter saying Bloomberg's $3 billion proposal is "doomed" unless eminent domain - the government's power to take private land for public use - is taken off the table. City economic development officials are promising to roll out as many as nine additional deals before the deadline. Four deals are "imminent" and could be announced this week, and talks with five other businesses are "very far along," said Andrew Brent, a spokesman for Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber. If all of those deals are inked, the city would control slightly more than half of Willets Point. "They still have a lot of work to do in a very short period of time," said City Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens), whose district includes Willets Point. He said the city must also add more affordable housing to the plan. jlauinger@nydailynews.com Willets Point Nov 03 2008 10:02 AM ="metirish"]] City now owns over 40% of Willets Point after latest buy No one owns me, I'm my own man! soupcan Nov 04 2008 10:45 AM Benjamin Grimm Nov 04 2008 10:50 AM Are those Doug Flynn's initials? metirish Nov 04 2008 10:51 AM JR Ewing? soupcan Nov 04 2008 10:52 AM 'Junior' for Jeff Wilpon. metsguyinmichigan Nov 04 2008 11:19 AM Looking at the construction workers and the "courage" work, I think the Robinson Routunda might turn out better than I expected. G-Fafif Nov 04 2008 12:44 PM Where is the panel that delineates PROFIT? Vince Coleman Firecracker Nov 04 2008 12:47 PM ="G-Fafif":3nkr8yzs]Where is the panel that delineates PROFIT?[/quote:3nkr8yzs] It's in your wallet, where your money used to be. John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 04 2008 12:55 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":k2s009ni] Are those Doug Flynn's initials?[/quote:k2s009ni] lol Frayed Knot Nov 04 2008 03:48 PM Hey, at least there are NYM logos on that gating and not LAD A Boy Named Seo Nov 04 2008 03:59 PM ="soupcan"] Those things remind me of these things: metirish Nov 04 2008 04:02 PM That's not for me? soupcan Nov 06 2008 07:32 AM Edgy DC Nov 06 2008 07:57 AM So a big difference there is no façade on the back of the upper bleachers. Is it because exposed ironwork is cool or is it to make more of an open-air concourse? Benjamin Grimm Nov 06 2008 08:03 AM What about the color of the bricks? Does anyone know? How well does the color of Citi Field match Ebbets? metirish Nov 06 2008 08:19 AM Ebbets Field looks better I think, at least from that view. That's not a photo though , is it? soupcan Nov 06 2008 08:39 AM Here's another HahnSolo Nov 06 2008 09:34 AM ="soupcan"]Here's another Easiest Where's Waldo ever. soupcan Nov 06 2008 09:37 AM Golf clap. soupcan Nov 18 2008 10:58 AM Sod is down... Picture 2326.avi metirish Nov 18 2008 10:59 AM I got to say that seeing those pictures excites me. metsguyinmichigan Nov 18 2008 11:47 AM ="HahnSolo"]="soupcan"]Here's another Easiest Where's Waldo ever. VERY funny! SteveJRogers Nov 18 2008 07:56 PM It is now a neat juxtaposition looking at Shea and Citi Field in overhead photos now and a year ago. One stadium with field and seats waiting for the new season to begin, the other the field looks like a battlefield, and the seats are not installed. Zvon Nov 18 2008 08:19 PM ="metirish":1zykiufq]I got to say that seeing those pictures excites me.[/quote:1zykiufq] I have to admit they excite me too. Edgy DC Nov 18 2008 08:56 PM Looking at those pictures, it's be kind of cool if they just paved over the field area and let the structure stand, letting early comers park and tailgate on the former field. Willets Point Nov 18 2008 09:17 PM ="Edgy DC":ez0b190s]Looking at those pictures, it's be kind of cool if they just paved over the field area and let the structure stand, letting early comers park and tailgate on the former field.[/quote:ez0b190s] And in a thousand years it will have the derelict charm of the Roman Coliseum. Hey, it already has the feral cats. Benjamin Grimm Nov 19 2008 04:29 AM I've thought the same thing. They'd just have to pop out some passageways so that traffic could flow easily. SteveJRogers Nov 25 2008 02:15 PM From baseball-fever.com a view from behind home plate (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Benjamin Grimm Nov 25 2008 02:18 PM That porch in right field looks like a drawer that needs to be pushed shut. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) metirish Nov 25 2008 02:26 PM From baseball-fever (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) G-Fafif Nov 25 2008 02:27 PM Orange foul poles, my heart be still. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Benjamin Grimm Nov 25 2008 02:29 PM I can picture a slicing line drive landing in fair territory and bouncing into the stands at the lower left. I guess it would still be a ground-rule double if that happened, even though the stands it bounces into are in foul territory. I wonder what "Hal the Referee" would say? (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 25 2008 02:31 PM ="G-Fafif":17s8qtsk]Orange foul poles, my heart be still.[/quote:17s8qtsk] Yeah. Looked like earlier versions had 'em yellow. Maybe they were just renderings. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Frayed Knot Nov 25 2008 02:34 PM Oh it would be a G-R double. Stuff like that happens all the time in Philly (both the new place and the old) and both in YSII and in RF in Boston (and I'm sure others as well). Hard to tell, but these jutting stands in LF don't look to have as extreme an angle as those in Philly but looks like we'll still get our share of goofy bounces back towards fair territory for balls that stay low enough to hit the facing of the stands and not bounce into the seats themselves. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) metirish Nov 25 2008 02:35 PM This link here has a better picture of the lines and the foul pole. http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=60954&page=341 Also there are drawings of the park. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Farmer Ted Nov 25 2008 02:46 PM There appear to be extra tunnels in the upper deck behind home plate. Quick outs for the upper level fat cats. What is that press-box-looking-structure behind home plate (about 15 feet up from playing level? (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Benjamin Grimm Dec 02 2008 04:08 PM ]Citi Field nearly ready to open its doors Builders of Mets' new ballpark influenced by other stadiums By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com NEW YORK -- The left-field wall rises conspicuously high at Citi Field, making it both a point of note and, recently, a point of contention. "Eighteen feet," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon guessed on Tuesday, before a site worker pegged the actual height at 16 feet. And Wilpon was pleased. Citi Field, he said, may retain its predecessor's reputation as a pitcher-friendly park, but it hardly caters only to those on the mound. Toward the end of September, in fact, Wilpon invited players David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans out for a private batting practice session at the new park, and all three of them managed to yank a pitch over the wall. "Evans put it halfway up the left-field deck," Wilpon said. "It's totally reachable." Such details of the new stadium have now become focal points, because Citi Field is so close to completion. A stroll through the park on Tuesday revealed that all the seats have been installed, the press box and Diamond Club are already encased in glass, and workers have begun installing major appliances within the concession stands. Yet of greater interest to Wright, Murphy, Evans and others in uniform, of course, is what lies deeper within the stadium. Lockers have been fully installed in the home clubhouse -- Wright has already chosen his -- and the carpet and bathroom tiles feature images of the fluorescent icons affixed to Shea Stadium's exterior walls. Adjacent rooms lead to some typical clubhouse amenities -- the manager's office, kitchen and weight room, to name a few -- save for one in the back that houses a hot tub, a cold tub and an underwater treadmill. Unlike anything at Shea Stadium, that room, along with one for indoor batting cages and pitching mounds, will allow players to rehab injuries at Citi Field, rather than always fly to the team's Spring Training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. In designing this ballpark, the Mets patched together ideas and influences from stadiums around the country. An overhang in right field, for example, protrudes above the warning track in a nod to the old Tiger Stadium. In the upper deck, a two-tiered layout reveals influence from Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. Pieces of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and Coors Field in Denver are present, though Wilpon noted that his greatest influence in the design of Citi Field was seven-year-old PNC Park in Pittsburgh. "I wanted to super-size Pittsburgh," said Wilpon, who went on a nationwide ballpark tour before building his own. "I really liked Pittsburgh the best." Yet the one influence, even more than Pittsburgh's, that Wilpon wanted to capture was that of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn -- the inspiration for Citi Field's exterior and perhaps its most prominent feature, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Still incomplete, the rotunda will become Citi Field's main entranceway, allowing fans to spill out of the Willits Point subway station and into a miniature baseball shrine. An escalator leads up to the seating bowl and down below, Robinson's nine values -- a staple of the Jackie Robinson Foundation's message -- are featured. Before Opening Day, workers will also erect a nine-foot No. 42 for fans to see as they enter the park. Steps outside the rotunda lies something similarly striking, if only for its incompleteness. Shea Stadium, home of the Mets for 44 years, has been reduced to an empty dirt bowl, its seats stripped, its sod removed and nearly all of its signage disappeared. Wilpon said he hoped that Shea would be completely disassembled and converted into a parking lot by Opening Day, with small markers at the site of home plate and the pitcher's rubber. Already, Shea Stadium's frame is nearly lost in the shadow of Citi Field, which -- despite holding only 42,500 seats, roughly a 25 percent drop from Shea -- seems built on a much greater scale. There are open areas for picnic tables and standing room, and a "GA Club" behind home plate in which ticket-holders can mingle. There is a Diamond Plaza near the rotunda where Shea Stadium's old home run apple will rest, and a large concrete basin in center field for Citi Field's new apple. There are tiered bullpens in center field -- the Mets will have the lower one, closer to the field -- and a plaza outside the rotunda for greenery. Wilpon was steps away from that plaza, inside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, when he looked up and admired his handiwork. "Powerful, right?" he said. "It's now becoming what we want it to become." G-Fafif Dec 02 2008 04:34 PM Very pretty pictures of a very pretty ballpark-to-be. But their immediate impact is to make me sad in that it's so not Shea. I know, I know: that's the idea. A few innings inside could have me changing my tune pretty quickly, but it just looks like something else from somewhere else right now. Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 04:56 PM ="Anthony DiComo":3aqa8uko]Toward the end of September, in fact, Wilpon invited players David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans out for a private batting practice session at the new park, and all three of them managed to yank a pitch over the wall.[/quote:3aqa8uko] What in particular gets your attention about this sentence? metirish Dec 02 2008 04:59 PM That Nick Evens hit one out , that it was towards the end of September ,that " yank a pitch over the wall" doesn't sound that far. Benjamin Grimm Dec 02 2008 05:10 PM I like that the tiles and carpeting include a tribute to Shea Stadium. Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 05:14 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 02 2008 05:23 PM Richard Pryor had this observation to make during a seventies routine. People were talking about this dystopic futureshock sci-fi movie, called Logan's Run that left them unsettled. He went to it and was unsettled for a different reason. "I noticed there were no colored folks in this movie. Somebody's not expecting us to be around." Not that I think they're eradicating peeps of color from the roster, but while some Omar-critics may find it depressing that only five of 17 batters on the roster are caucasian, I noticed three of those five were the only ones invited to Jeff Wilpon's (who I don't think is a moron) private sleepover. Dude needs to broaden his experience. This ain't the Greenvale School. Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 05:16 PM And yeah, I'm not too keen on Wilpon not understanding that they should be focused on the business at hand in late September. Nymr83 Dec 02 2008 05:18 PM It seems obvious that Wright would be the first one invited and Murphy was being rewarded for his explosive rookie performance. Nick Evans? really? you need Nick Evans to test out your new park? I understand not inviting Delgado who might not be back but where was Beltran? Reyes? Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 05:23 PM Pat Zachry. I mean, good sources have assured me that they speak English and everything. G-Fafif Dec 02 2008 05:48 PM ]Still incomplete, the rotunda will become Citi Field's main entranceway, allowing fans to spill out of the Willits Point subway station Anthony DiComo obviously drives to games and has never seen the sign for the station (or met our own Willets Point). With the ballpark name in at least a little limbo, one hopes the MTA hasn't invested in new station signs just yet. metirish Dec 02 2008 05:58 PM ="metirish"]That Nick Evens hit one out , that it was towards the end of September ,that " yank a pitch over the wall" doesn't sound that far. I had not read the article when I made that comment , so Wilpon was talking about a 16 foot high wall in LF , not sure if I'm Nick Evens I think that the boss is giving me a compliment here. ] Evans put it halfway up the left-field deck," Wilpon said. "It's totally reachable." Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 06:10 PM I want it noted, suckers, that one of the primary indictments of Shea --- that the outfield field-level seats largely face directly toward the outfield, rather than the infield where most of the action occurs, does not appear to be improved upon at all at Citi. soupcan Dec 04 2008 08:23 AM bb-f again ="Edgy DC"]I want it noted, suckers, that one of the primary indictments of Shea --- that the outfield field-level seats largely face directly toward the outfield, rather than the infield where most of the action occurs, does not appear to be improved upon at all at Citi. Not so! Angled seats... metirish Dec 04 2008 08:54 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 04 2008 09:44 AM High staircase and escalator obviously , people falling and going splat on the Robinson rotunda is to be expected I would think. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 09:25 AM ="soupcan":188c6xn0]Not so! Angled seats...[/quote:188c6xn0] Well, shut my mouth. Rows angled maybe ten degrees toward the infield. Seats angled ten degrees more. That's something. Benjamin Grimm Dec 04 2008 09:27 AM I do like the improved legroom. You can even have a guy in a hardhat kneel down in front of your seat, if that's your idea of a good time. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 09:30 AM You've been reading my blog. soupcan Dec 04 2008 01:12 PM Cool little video tour of Citi[/url:3bdfxevb] metirish Dec 04 2008 01:18 PM ="soupcan":3fpddl03]Cool little video tour of Citi[/url:3fpddl03][/quote:3fpddl03] Very cool , at the 2:10 mark they show a fenced in patch of green next to the stand in what I think is left of center field , is that the bullpen? Farmer Ted Dec 04 2008 01:28 PM Mets logo on the end seat of each row. Looking classy. soupcan Dec 04 2008 01:29 PM A lot of nice hi-res shots like this at metsblog.com on the front page. This the first pic I've seen of the nice w - i - d - e concourses. seawolf17 Dec 04 2008 01:34 PM ="metirish":cf49cmfu]High staircase and escalator obviously , people falling and going splat on the Robinson rotunda is to be expected I would think.[/quote:cf49cmfu] Considering what happened this year, you'd think they'd be conscious of that. Benjamin Grimm Dec 04 2008 01:40 PM They should string circus-style safety nets below each of the escalators. That concourse does look nice. It's easy to see how you could be standing on the hot dog line while keeping an eye on the game. That, I think, is the best thing that the new stadium will have over Shea. I also like the visible steel infrastructure, although that's hardly an innovation. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 04 2008 01:43 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3jnxf2zm] I also like the visible steel infrastructure, although that's hardly an innovation.[/quote:3jnxf2zm] Yeah, though its supposed to subtly remind you of the bridge on the Mets logo, which is supposed to remind you of how the Mets reached across the city to "bridge" fans of the Giants and Dodgers, and the Eastsiders and Westsiders, and Kiddies and Wives, and the Butcher, the Baker and the People on the Street. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 01:49 PM Thank God the Mets brought kiddies and wives together. Willets Point Dec 04 2008 03:19 PM ="Edgy DC":h0g9fccu]You've been reading my blog.[/quote:h0g9fccu] I want to read this blog. Valadius Dec 04 2008 04:02 PM I like the use of brick on the inside of the stadium rather than just the facade. Rockin' Doc Dec 04 2008 05:23 PM No one will ever pull an Endy on that left field wall. How tall is that wall in left field? Zvon Dec 04 2008 05:33 PM What I like: almost everything. It looks beautiful, real low to the ground. User friendly for the fan. On the whole a nice new home for my Metsies. What I don't like: I've never been a fan of the two tier bullpen. Hate em! Bullpen fights could make things exciting though. I really like the use of chain link fence here, but that one outjutting looks like trouble to me. Once again, the whole right field set up should make things exciting. (I'm not against "exciting", I just do not like silly injuries) I like an outfield wall where there's always a possibility of pulling one back into the park. So I'm not too thrilled with the height of that left field wall. I am assuming that these are the outfield walls (that there wont be wooden ones placed a foot or so in front of those we see, which I think I'd prefer). I'm sure that if they go with these concrete walls that will be padded with the best material available, but I still don't like the idea of a wall with absolutely no give to it. Don't mind me. Im just being an idiopathic idiosyncrat. themetfairy Dec 04 2008 05:57 PM Not at all Zvon - I enjoyed your illustrative input. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 06:05 PM I like an outfield wall with a hidden door that an outfielder can suddenly disappear through. Valadius Dec 04 2008 06:36 PM It's almost like they're setting up for a Field of Dreams cornfield stunt. Frayed Knot Dec 04 2008 09:20 PM Or a Manny signing. soupcan Dec 07 2008 04:02 PM Old Apple goes here? Benjamin Grimm Dec 07 2008 05:23 PM My understanding (could be wrong, though) is that the old apple is going to be inside the stadium but somewhere in centerfield. Edgy DC Dec 07 2008 05:36 PM That'll be an all-nu apple. soupcan Dec 07 2008 05:42 PM You saying all-nu inside or all-nu outside? Edgy DC Dec 07 2008 07:15 PM All-nu inside. soupcan Dec 07 2008 07:21 PM Right - but that podium or hole or whatever is outside, so I'm thinking that's where the old one will go. Or a statue..? Frayed Knot Dec 07 2008 07:23 PM Yeah, my understanding was nu-apple inside, apple-classic on view somewhere outside. G-Fafif Dec 07 2008 08:08 PM Both will be out in center, according to Metsblog, which was on the media tour last week. ]For starters, Jeff Wilpon told reporters that the old Home-Run Apple from Shea Stadium will be on display in back of the concourse in center field, which was good to hear. However, a new Apple will pop up from a concrete cannister beneath the center-field scoreboard. That thing they're building outside, obviously, is a kiddie pool. soupcan Dec 12 2008 02:41 PM So the outside is an homage to Ebbets. The green seats are supposedly a nod to the Polo Grounds. Where's Shea? Oh there it is, on the floor of the locker room. Is that the ugliest damn rug you've ever seen or what? Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 02:44 PM That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:49 PM That is one ugly rug. So Shea gets the honor of being stepped on? Valadius Dec 12 2008 04:58 PM Pepitone's rug looks like Blagojevich's. metirish Dec 12 2008 05:03 PM ="Edgy DC":befgt7hd]That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. [/quote:befgt7hd] Very funny. dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 05:11 PM ="Edgy DC"]That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. I'm think Phil here would give Joe a run for his money: themetfairy Dec 12 2008 05:14 PM That has to be Phil's own hair. Nobody would construct a toupee THAT ugly! metsguyinmichigan Dec 12 2008 05:43 PM ="metirish":3bn5ocf6]="Edgy DC":3bn5ocf6]That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. [/quote:3bn5ocf6] Very funny.[/quote:3bn5ocf6] WOW. And the rug on the guy on the right in the tan coat is horrible, too! And if I were Phil Spector's attorney, I'd go for the insanity defense and just point to him sitting there with that 'do and sit back and wait for the acquittal. soupcan Dec 12 2008 07:11 PM Pepitone's dead? Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 07:59 PM Guess not. My boo-boo. Sorry, Joe. I just sent a white elephant Christmas gift to my sister's Yankfan boyfriend. It was a Yankee hat that my brother got Pepitone's autograph on. What did he ever think I'd want with that. One time Pepitone, after missing a ballgame with a niggling injury while playing in Japan, was photographed at a disco later, out dancing with his wig. To this day, supposedly, American players who come to Japan and play the diva are called "Pepitones." Willets Point Dec 13 2008 05:52 PM ="soupcan":1k1wbb9f] Is that the ugliest damn rug you've ever seen or what?[/quote:1k1wbb9f] The carpet will be vastly improved by frequently soaking it in champagne. Farmer Ted Dec 13 2008 06:47 PM I was living in NC in the mid 90s and in charge of putting on a sports-related banquet. The Yankees had a minor league team in Greensboro for a number of years and the committee board voted to have a former Yankee or a current member of the organization to be the featured speaker. I swallowed my pride and called the Bronx. The PR office hack said someone would be in touch in a few days. Phone rings 20 minutes later. Pepitone on the other end. No shit. I explain we're looking for a speaker yadda yadda yadda and he says "I'll do it (basically volunteering himself). We can work on a fee but you need to fly me down there. Great times I had in that town." Apparently he had the gig of lining up the Yankees alumni for public appearances. I went back to the committee and told them Pepitone was the best I could do (not that I tried any harder). The room busted into hysterical laughter and we found someone else from a different sport to speak. Edgy DC Dec 13 2008 07:03 PM There was an episode of Mad About You where Jamie asked what ballplayer they can get for a personal appearance on a limited budget. Paul's answer was an aging swinger of a sixties Yankee firstbaseman clearly based on the Pep. cooby Dec 13 2008 07:56 PM I swear I was thinking about Joe Pepitone this morning. And why? Ashie62 Dec 17 2008 07:05 AM ="cooby":3lcpnzjo]I swear I was thinking about Joe Pepitone this morning. And why?[/quote:3lcpnzjo] Did you wake up with a woody? Rockin' Doc Dec 17 2008 10:24 AM I believe that would be a physical impossibility for cooby. metsmarathon Dec 17 2008 11:46 AM well, this thread sure has taken some strange strange turns hasn't it? Edgy DC Jan 07 2009 07:49 AM NEW YORK-- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration will forgo luxury boxes at the new Yankees and Mets ballparks, the city said Tuesday after months of criticism about its handling of the stadium projects. The administration has worked out a new deal with the Yankees to get extra money, instead of a luxury box. A separate and similar agreement is being worked out with the Mets for their new park, a Bloomberg spokesman said. Senior Bloomberg aides had fought hard to get the luxury boxes, describing the perk in internal e-mails as "a big issue to the mayor" during negotiations with the teams in 2006. That battle for the boxes only recently came to light as state and federal lawmakers launched investigations into how the teams and the administration went about making those deals. The decision to give up the luxury boxes comes as Bloomberg seeks reelection this year and repeatedly cites the city's enormous budget shortfalls. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 07 2009 07:56 AM They gave it up at the same time they were forced to cough up reams of smoking guns on how filthy the whole thing was, including begging by the MFYs to increase their duistribution of public $$ to cover shit like their scoreboard and video board. Mets are also asking for more but about half the MFYs overall since the project was so much less expensive. Centerfield Jan 07 2009 03:17 PM I think the Mets should sign Manny and ask the public to pick up the tab.

ESPN is giving Francisco Rodriguez the "chasing history" treatment every time he records a save in pursuit of Bobby Thigpen's record of 57. A record's a record and 57 saves is an impressive total, but have you ever heard or thought, "Generations believed Thigpen's mark was unassailable! Will anybody break Thigpen's mark? Move over Bobby Thigpen!"

="Benjamin Grimm":1r5ga8ny]Also, from what I've heard, all of the seats at Citi Field will be green, in honor of the Polo Grounds.[/quote:1r5ga8ny] Also in honor of spin. The Mets came up with that rationale only when pressed on it. It was never mentioned in any of the "we're paying homage" materials. Once they started getting letters and Newsday bothered to ask what about the Polo Grounds did green seats become a PG reminder. Benjamin Grimm Jul 22 2008 12:32 PM They should have replicated that deep part of center field. soupcan Jul 22 2008 12:42 PM ="Benjamin Grimm"]They should have replicated that deep part of center field. 440' to 483' - Oof. G-Fafif Jul 22 2008 01:10 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1n45zm6u]They should have replicated that deep part of center field.[/quote:1n45zm6u] Perfect for Beltran and his Play Deep tendencies. seawolf17 Jul 22 2008 01:21 PM Could you imagine? Reyes would have about ninety triples. G-Fafif Jul 22 2008 01:28 PM Except Jose would probably grow enamored of the 257-foot right field corner. Willie Mays had 20 triples in his final Polo Grounds season, 1957. Ten at home, ten on the road. Of course Willie Mays' glove was where triples went to die. metsguyinmichigan Jul 22 2008 01:33 PM I like that the bullpens are on the field, in play -- but so far deep that it was probably even an issue. Benjamin Grimm Jul 22 2008 01:37 PM Well, I wouldn't replicate the short distances along the foul lines in left and right field, but a normal-shaped outfield, with that center-field notch would be cool. And I'd even be tempted to make it so that the dugouts didn't connect to the clubhouse. (Wasn't that how it was at the Polo Grounds? The players had to enter and exit the field from the gates in the center field fence.) I don't think modern players would see the charm in that, though. Gwreck Jul 22 2008 03:55 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":37aeqwcw]Well, I wouldn't replicate the short distances along the foul lines in left and right field, but a normal-shaped outfield, with that center-field notch would be cool.[/quote:37aeqwcw] They have that, with a hill, in Houston. Benjamin Grimm Jul 22 2008 03:56 PM Is the hill in a notch? (The hill is stupid, by the way.) themetfairy Jul 22 2008 04:05 PM I hate that hill. Someday an outfielder is going to severely injure himself on that idiotic thing. soupcan Sep 17 2008 08:02 AM Nice pic... HahnSolo Sep 17 2008 08:05 AM I think they need to put a few more signs up. No one will ever know what the place is called. bmfc1 Sep 17 2008 08:09 AM Ugh. New SI. Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 08:11 AM That stadium's been gone for 35 years. Boy, SI is really on top of things. What's their cover story going to be next week? Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston? HahnSolo Sep 17 2008 08:11 AM How dare SI show the Cathedral with all those empty seats!!! bmfc1 Sep 17 2008 08:14 AM This isn't an original thought, but if it's a "Cathedral", then why is it being torn down? John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 17 2008 08:16 AM nevermind metirish Sep 17 2008 08:19 AM Lord Jeter now has the most hits ever at the Cathedral. It meant nothing to him though becasue it came in a loss , he's such a fucking winner. metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 08:36 AM ="HahnSolo":dxqfqex4]I think they need to put a few more signs up. No one will ever know what the place is called.[/quote:dxqfqex4] \ Note the ones that are flat on the roof -- intended for those blimp shots? Or the people flying into LaGuardia? John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 17 2008 08:36 AM LaGuardia for sure. metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 08:38 AM ="HahnSolo":3fy1n3ug]How dare SI show the Cathedral with all those empty seats!!![/quote:3fy1n3ug] Good point! I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. And it's not batting practice or anything. Note that the article is written by Supreme Yankee Hack Tom Verducci. I can only imagine... metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 09:32 AM GAG. Verducci on SI.com Next year the Yankees will play in a ballpark with less history than Nationals Ballpark, that generic mistake in Washington. The new Yankee Stadium will be a stupendous colossus of a revenue generator, which has replaced charm or architectural achievement (why can't we build a Bird's Nest?) as the official measurement of the modern ballpark, with no corners cut. There even will be a female umpires dressing room. But you will not be able to say the Babe, the Mick, Joe D. or even Frank Tepedino played there. Starting Sunday, when the lights go out at Yankee Stadium, the cord will be cut, the lineage interrupted. The ballpark history doesn't cross the street with the Yankees. Forget for a moment where Babe Ruth played. Now there will be only one ballpark left where the Dodgers' Jackie Robinson played: Wrigley Field. It's not quite building over Civil War battlefields, but you get the idea. Once it's gone, upon the last flick of the last switch Sunday night, it's gone. SteveJRogers Sep 17 2008 09:39 AM ="metsguyinmichigan"]="HahnSolo"]How dare SI show the Cathedral with all those empty seats!!! Good point! I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. And it's not batting practice or anything. Note that the article is written by Supreme Yankee Hack Tom Verducci. I can only imagine... Shows you what an event driven culture we are living in today. More to that point, check out these pics from the last actual game at YS I September 30th, 1973 Attendance was barely 30,000 that afternoon. Gwreck Sep 17 2008 09:59 AM ="SteveJRogers":1x7ecf62]Attendance was barely 30,000 that afternoon.[/quote:1x7ecf62] Actual attendance or tickets sold? I expect to see empty seats on Sunday, both because the Yankees will have been eliminated, and because it's an 8:10 start time on a Sunday night. How many? We'll have to wait and see. MFS62 Sep 17 2008 10:11 AM ="metirish":24t9gccc]Lord Jeter now has the most hits ever at the Cathedral. [/quote:24t9gccc] I came home just in time to hear the sports guy (Scott somethingorother) on ABC-TV New York, ch 7, say "Jeter became the all time leading hitter in Yankee Stadium history." This guy has been there for years. But isn't the all time leading hitter the guy with the highest batting average? Isn't the way Irish wrote it more correct? Shouldn't a guy who has been doing the sports for many years know the difference? Later Fman99 Sep 17 2008 10:21 AM This thread and the "cathedral" stuff makes me want to vomit, eat my vomit, then shit and eat my shit-vomit. holychicken Sep 17 2008 10:56 AM What stadium is in that picture on the cover of SI? I figured they were talking about Yankee Stadium, but I was there earlier this year and it looked nothing like that. I am ever so confused. Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 11:01 AM ]Shows you what an event driven culture we are living in today Not to mention how far baseball's popularity has plummeted since then. Oh wait! SteveJRogers Sep 17 2008 01:22 PM Oh a shot from Left Field huh? Course you DO have to take into consideration the sparse crowds in Miami, heck how about the Rays not selling out the biggest series in their franchise's history? To say nothing about how the "new park spike" failed to take hold in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Cincy, and Philly. Lets not compare attendance at River Avenue & 161st on 9/30/73 and 9/21/08 and say simply that baseball is in better shape now than it was back in 1973. Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 01:30 PM No, but we could take ALL attendance figures from the early '70s and compare them to now, but you're just going to ignore those anyway since you prefer to start with the answer first and then only use the data which conforms to the pre-dertermined conclusion. metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 01:32 PM I think you can compare total attendace from today and 1973 and easily see that baseball is in better shape. Naturally, you'd have to subtract the six teams added since. But I bet the average attendance is still better. G-Fafif Sep 17 2008 02:13 PM The sad part about Verducci's piece is it's written as if MFYS II is talking. The saving grace is it all but admits it's not the same building it was up to '73. ]I really haven't been myself since 1973, when they cut me clean open and for two years rearranged most of my vital organs (even the one that nimble-fingered Eddie Layton used to play), removed some of them and put me back together in such a way that I looked nothing like I did before.{/quote] If this whole farewell thing had been framed Goodbye MFYS II, where 33 seasons of unforgettable baseball occurred, would it have not been sufficient? (Not for the MFY myth, no it wouldn't have been.) Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:18 PM A few decades from now, if not sooner, the official story will be that the construction of the new stadium was just a "refurbishment" and that it's still the same park that Ruth and Gehrig played in. The story will be that the city offered the Yankees a new stadium, but they said, "Thanks but no thanks. We'll stay in the House that Ruth Built." If you say anything often enough, it becomes true. metirish Sep 17 2008 02:18 PM ] River Avenue & 161st You mean yankee stadium? Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 02:19 PM Edited 3 time(s), most recently on Sep 17 2008 04:49 PM ]... you'd have to subtract the six teams added since. But I bet the average attendance is still better. Not merely better; - but better for every single existing club - approx 2.2 times better on average for existing clubs - approx 2.65 times better for MLB as a whole - 1973 shows 7 teams failing to draw 1 million vs 2007 where just 2 fail to draw 1.5mil - 2 teams out of 24 drew 2+mil in 1973 vs 24 of 30 in '07 - 5 teams drew 1.5mil or more (Ana, Cinc, NYM, Det, StL) then vs all but the two Florida teams now BTW, the "sparse crowds" in Miami and Tampa you deride today would have been known as 'above average' in 1973, finishing 9th & 10th out of 24 teams including ahead of both Chicago teams, Anaheim, Baltimore, San Fran, Atlanta, and, oh yeah, the Yanquis Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:19 PM ="metirish"]] River Avenue & 161st You mean yankee stadium? Nobody calls it that anymore. G-Fafif Sep 17 2008 02:26 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":duidosp0]A few decades from now, if not sooner, the official story will be that the construction of the new stadium was just a "refurbishment" and that it's still the same park that Ruth and Gehrig played in. The story will be that the city offered the Yankees a new stadium, but they said, "Thanks but no thanks. We'll stay in the House that Ruth Built." If you say anything often enough, it becomes true.[/quote:duidosp0] Amen. I wonder how much more than usual Shea will be bashed by the MFY suckups and knownothings during its final homestand. "At least the Yankees had the decency to definitively end their unprecedented run of success with finality. The Mets don't even have the decency to let their fans know that they will be eliminated by their last regular-season game. And Derek Jeter just set another secret record no one knew existed until ten minutes ago." Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:32 PM Trivia question: Which Met had the most hits at Shea Stadium, and how many did he have? G-Fafif Sep 17 2008 02:38 PM Derek Jeter. A million. dgwphotography Sep 17 2008 02:38 PM I'd have to say Mr. Kranepool. SteveJRogers Sep 17 2008 02:40 PM My guess would be Kranepool metirish Sep 17 2008 02:40 PM Will Jeter's hit record carry over into the new stadium ? "hits falling like a soft rain here at River Av & 161 St" Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2008 02:44 PM Yup, Kranepool. 691. If Jose Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, he'll tie Kranepool's record. MFS62 Sep 17 2008 02:55 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1s85f85k]Yup, Kranepool. 691. If Jose Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, he'll tie Kranepool's record.[/quote:1s85f85k] If Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, my keen, analytical mind tell me the Mets will have a pretty good shot at making the playoffs. Later metsguyinmichigan Sep 17 2008 02:56 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":2si2fpvi]Yup, Kranepool. 691. If Jose Reyes gets 228 hits in the final homestand, he'll tie Kranepool's record.[/quote:2si2fpvi] Verducci's likely take: "Reyes turned in a Jeter-like performance that was worthy of the Cathedreal (pauses to wipe tear) but will have to settle for the blue place by the airport." metirish Sep 18 2008 07:05 AM Lord Jeter played his 1,000th game at Yankee Stadium last night , not sure if that's a record but it should be. A-Rod meanwhile joined some good company. ] A-Rod's home run matches feat accomplished by Babe Ruth BY Anthony McCarron DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Thursday, September 18th 2008, 1:04 AM Alex Rodriguez joined Babe Ruth and left Hank Aaron and Mike Schmidt behind. A-Rod's eighth-inning homer was his 35th this season, giving him 12 years with 35 or more. Ruth is the only other player with that many seasons with at least 35 homers. A-Rod also became the first player in baseball history to have 12 seasons with 35 or more HRs and 100 or more RBI. Ruth did that 11 times. It made for an interesting night for Rodriguez - he was booed in the second and fifth when he looked bad striking out each time. He said "it just felt good to put the ball in play tonight. I've stunk, honestly. "Mechanically, I've got some things that need fixing. I know the score - when I stink, I get booed. When I do good, they cheer. It's all right." Rodriguez also has 35 or more homers in 11 consecutive seasons, breaking a tie with Sammy Sosa for most all-time. DocTee Sep 18 2008 08:21 AM Who's up for a game of impromptu whiffle ball at St. Pat's? Or the local temple? My grade school buddies and I once plotted this in our school's church-- laid out ground rules and evything, before we realized WTF, it's a church, not a playground. HahnSolo Sep 18 2008 08:25 AM With every HR, water sprays from the Baptismal font. soupcan Oct 22 2008 12:21 PM Some more good ones here... AG/DC Oct 22 2008 12:26 PM Wow. A lot of fire hydrants. themetfairy Oct 22 2008 12:36 PM It looks nice. What's with the faux bridge inside the park? John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 22 2008 12:46 PM Apparently "bridges" are to be incorporated/suggested throughout in a nod to the Met logo and theoir representation of connecting the boroughs. Park looks awfully closed, with all of left field behind the stands and some goofy shit in right center. metsguyinmichigan Oct 22 2008 02:26 PM Are all those grey rectangles near the scoreboard and lights future ads? That sure does seem like a lot of them. Centerfield Oct 22 2008 02:54 PM Where are the bullpens? And I don't like that funky shit in right-center either. I hope we don't have any contrived "quirks" in this field. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 22 2008 03:09 PM I think the 'pens have to be in that right-center funkiness, shots at the link have closeups showing there's some crap going in there anyway. I know the stands there are supposed to hover over the warning track, so get ready for quirktastic action. Farmer Ted Oct 22 2008 03:13 PM Looks like those gray areas will be ads...and one right up there in between the light posts in left? I predict that's the "Company formerly known as Keyspan" ad location. I like the configuration of the lights in the Chrysler Building motif. Tall outfield walls in left? Gwreck Oct 22 2008 03:26 PM Bullpens are under the two bridges. OlerudOwned Oct 22 2008 04:07 PM So many in-play bleachers. Weeeiiiird. soupcan Oct 30 2008 06:51 PM Edgy DC Oct 30 2008 08:07 PM I like foul territory in the outfield, and not bleacher walls two feet away that run parallel to the line. Not to pick. Zhea didn't have much. Willets Point Oct 30 2008 08:30 PM A full set of bleachers along the outfield fence is one thing I really think Shea could have/should have had but didn't. metsguyinmichigan Oct 30 2008 11:53 PM I like it. Though it looks like it is supposed to be surrounded by a neighborhood. Shea looked comfortable surrounded by parking lots, Citi looks a little out of place that way. SteveJRogers Oct 31 2008 06:06 AM Well, that is something that it will have in common with Citizens Bank Ballpark as well! Oh it is in South Philly, but the distance between the neighboorhood and the Sports Complex is roughly the same as Citi/Shea and Flushing/Corona. I'm pretty sure these are the only two of the "newer" ballparks not to be smack dab in the middle of some residential or comerical area. Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 06:54 AM I agree. Shea looked more suited for a big parking lot than Citi Field does. And Citizens Bank Park is in the same category, but since it's close to the Eagles' stadium, it at least looks like it's part of a complex. Citi Field will get its urban neighbors if the Willets Point development plan goes forward. It may be years before that happens, if it ever does. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 07:02 AM They want to raze the chop shops, of course, but the facing of the administrative building attached to Citi Field on 126th St. does kind of blend in with those businesses (savory or otherwise) across the street. Agreed, however, on Citi Field in a parking lot. It may as well be Six Flags Over Baseball. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 07:12 AM Yeah, I said that shit years ago. Where's my no prize? Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 07:13 AM I think the Rangers' stadium is also one of those parking lot buildings. (The Six Flags comment made me think of it; you drive right past the ballpark on the way to the theme park.) metsguyinmichigan Oct 31 2008 08:49 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":3gs27u3n]I think the Rangers' stadium is also one of those parking lot buildings. (The Six Flags comment made me think of it; you drive right past the ballpark on the way to the theme park.)[/quote:3gs27u3n] Milwaukee, too. SteveJRogers Oct 31 2008 10:11 AM Completely forgot about The Ted in Atlanta as well, which is also off a highway pretty much. Which is funny considering The Georgia Dome and whatever replaced The Omni (home of NBA Hawks and NHL Thrashers) is located right in the middle of Atlanta's business district. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 11:24 AM So the Mets aren't just late to the retro game, they're following the wrong fork in the road. soupcan Oct 31 2008 11:39 AM They could fix that though. Once Shea comes down will they really need that parking beyond left field at Citi? Develop that area with condos, hotels, etc. and you've got an area with water views and maybe a Wrigley-type atmosphere at street level. metsguyinmichigan Oct 31 2008 11:46 AM Good call. But would right field be better? You have the train station, the park, the tennis places. Onther side looks like the Interstate. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 11:55 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 31 2008 12:03 PM Well, the idea of the architecture not being complemented by a surrounding neighborhood demands that you build your faux Sesame Streets by the front of the building, doesn't it? soupcan Oct 31 2008 11:57 AM ="Edgy DC":jmnbig1j]Well, the idea of the architecture not being complemented by a surrounding neighborhood demands that you build your faux Sesame Streets by the front of the building, doesn't it?[/quote:jmnbig1j] I think so. I do prefer 'Disney Streets' to Sesame Streets' but I see where you got that and where you're going Mr. Hooper. Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 11:58 AM It's that area across from right field that's proposed for redevelopment, isn't it? The plans do include a hotel. I could easily see myself staying in a hotel there and walking back to the room after a night game. soupcan Oct 31 2008 12:12 PM Yes - right field. Here's the plan... G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 12:23 PM Having been down 126th St. quite recently, that artist's rendering of the vibrant Citi Village or whatever it would be called is fanciful beyond all sense of reality. Great if it happens, but don't hold your breath (unless you park amid the chop shops where they don't have working sewers). soupcan Oct 31 2008 12:25 PM I agree, but don't understimate your soon-to-be three term mayor. He does seem to be able to get what he wants, and he wants this. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 12:27 PM If he can get the law changed that easily, I wouldn't put anything past him. Willets Point Oct 31 2008 12:27 PM Those artist's renderings are pretty hilarious. Farmer Ted Oct 31 2008 12:47 PM My attempt at posting the satellite view of Turner Field in Atlanta bonked. In any case, you can check it out on Google satellite maps. They retained the base paths and fence outline in the concrete of Fulton County stadium (adjacent to the Ted). There is a monument honoring the location of Hank's record setting home run. Thought it was cool, that's all. soupcan Oct 31 2008 12:51 PM ="Farmer Ted"]My attempt at posting the satellite view of Turner Field in Atlanta bonked. In any case, you can check it out on Google satellite maps. They retained the base paths and fence outline in the concrete of Fulton County stadium (adjacent to the Ted). There is a monument honoring the location of Hank's record setting home run. Thought it was cool, that's all. Centerfield Oct 31 2008 01:03 PM ="G-Fafif":2jjfbchs]If he can get the law changed that easily, I wouldn't put anything past him.[/quote:2jjfbchs] The vote is going to be held in November. Other redevelopment projects, not on the scale of Willets Point, have already been approved by large margins, if that is any indication of what is to come. metsguyinmichigan Oct 31 2008 01:07 PM That's cool! (Both the Ted and the renderings.) St. Louis has some Ballpark Village plans, but as I saw a couple weeks ago, it's still a big dirt patch. Benjamin Grimm Oct 31 2008 01:10 PM I like that ghost image of Fulton County Stadium. I hope they do as nice a job for Shea. HahnSolo Oct 31 2008 01:37 PM This is the Mets. Don't hold your breath. metirish Oct 31 2008 01:41 PM It would be a hell of a poke but in the new stadium we could have the "Chop Shop Splash" home run , although it might not be safe for the kids to be lining up out there waiting for one. G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 01:46 PM ="HahnSolo":3hpj3xtg]This is the Mets. Don't hold your breath.[/quote:3hpj3xtg] I'm still stunned they built a new ballpark when targeted. I would have bet on a Shea "it'll be ready in 1963" scenario. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 02:01 PM ="Willets Point":3vog3czv]Those artist's renderings are pretty hilarious.[/quote:3vog3czv] What? You doubt that Shea's environs will be entirely populated by the thin, the neat, and the white? G-Fafif Oct 31 2008 02:24 PM ="Edgy DC":iyjlmtms]="Willets Point":iyjlmtms]Those artist's renderings are pretty hilarious.[/quote:iyjlmtms] What? You doubt that Shea's environs will be entirely populated by the thin, the neat, and the white?[/quote:iyjlmtms] And where are the hovercraft? soupcan Oct 31 2008 07:40 PM ="G-Fafif"]And where are the hovercraft? Now that's funny. Edgy DC Oct 31 2008 08:46 PM How 'bout some love for the straight man? SteveJRogers Oct 31 2008 08:53 PM ="G-Fafif":gggwrmyu]="HahnSolo":gggwrmyu]This is the Mets. Don't hold your breath.[/quote:gggwrmyu] I'm still stunned they built a new ballpark when targeted. I would have bet on a Shea "it'll be ready in 1963" scenario.[/quote:gggwrmyu] HA! Anyone recall, or know what the hangup was there? I mean it was literally right there on the 1962 program, "The 1963 Home Of The Mets" and all! soupcan Oct 31 2008 09:19 PM ="Edgy DC":3izds9qf]How 'bout some love for the straight man?[/quote:3izds9qf] Goes without saying. Willets Point Oct 31 2008 11:09 PM ="Edgy DC":2ld5yelf]How 'bout some love for the straight man?[/quote:2ld5yelf] Always working the gay icon angle aren't you? Edgy DC Nov 01 2008 06:32 AM I'm a straight man in need of gay love, or something. metirish Nov 03 2008 08:51 AM ] City now owns over 40% of Willets Point after latest buy By John Lauinger Daily News Staff Writer Monday, November 3rd 2008, 10:29 AM The city has gobbled up another chunk of Willets Point in Queens as Mayor Bloomberg pushes his plan to transform the gritty industrial zone near Shea Stadium. In the biggest land deal to date in the neighborhood, the city persuaded Indian food distributor House of Spices - the second-largest landowner at Willets Point - to sell its 4 acres, city officials told the Daily News. The deal is expected to be announced Monday along with an agreement for a third of an acre owned by another company. Combined with previously inked deals, the city now controls more than 40% of the 62-acre tangle of auto body shops and other businesses - and could soon have half the land. Bloomberg wants to spend $3 billion to turn the area into a glitzy enclave of 5,500 residences, stores, a hotel and a convention center. The percentage of city-controlled land is becoming increasingly important as pressure mounts on Bloomberg to sell skeptical City Council members on his plan before Nov. 13. That is the deadline for the Council to take a make-or-break vote on the proposal. Previously, 32 of 51 Council members signed a letter saying Bloomberg's $3 billion proposal is "doomed" unless eminent domain - the government's power to take private land for public use - is taken off the table. City economic development officials are promising to roll out as many as nine additional deals before the deadline. Four deals are "imminent" and could be announced this week, and talks with five other businesses are "very far along," said Andrew Brent, a spokesman for Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber. If all of those deals are inked, the city would control slightly more than half of Willets Point. "They still have a lot of work to do in a very short period of time," said City Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens), whose district includes Willets Point. He said the city must also add more affordable housing to the plan. jlauinger@nydailynews.com Willets Point Nov 03 2008 10:02 AM ="metirish"]] City now owns over 40% of Willets Point after latest buy No one owns me, I'm my own man! soupcan Nov 04 2008 10:45 AM Benjamin Grimm Nov 04 2008 10:50 AM Are those Doug Flynn's initials? metirish Nov 04 2008 10:51 AM JR Ewing? soupcan Nov 04 2008 10:52 AM 'Junior' for Jeff Wilpon. metsguyinmichigan Nov 04 2008 11:19 AM Looking at the construction workers and the "courage" work, I think the Robinson Routunda might turn out better than I expected. G-Fafif Nov 04 2008 12:44 PM Where is the panel that delineates PROFIT? Vince Coleman Firecracker Nov 04 2008 12:47 PM ="G-Fafif":3nkr8yzs]Where is the panel that delineates PROFIT?[/quote:3nkr8yzs] It's in your wallet, where your money used to be. John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 04 2008 12:55 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":k2s009ni] Are those Doug Flynn's initials?[/quote:k2s009ni] lol Frayed Knot Nov 04 2008 03:48 PM Hey, at least there are NYM logos on that gating and not LAD A Boy Named Seo Nov 04 2008 03:59 PM ="soupcan"] Those things remind me of these things: metirish Nov 04 2008 04:02 PM That's not for me? soupcan Nov 06 2008 07:32 AM Edgy DC Nov 06 2008 07:57 AM So a big difference there is no façade on the back of the upper bleachers. Is it because exposed ironwork is cool or is it to make more of an open-air concourse? Benjamin Grimm Nov 06 2008 08:03 AM What about the color of the bricks? Does anyone know? How well does the color of Citi Field match Ebbets? metirish Nov 06 2008 08:19 AM Ebbets Field looks better I think, at least from that view. That's not a photo though , is it? soupcan Nov 06 2008 08:39 AM Here's another HahnSolo Nov 06 2008 09:34 AM ="soupcan"]Here's another Easiest Where's Waldo ever. soupcan Nov 06 2008 09:37 AM Golf clap. soupcan Nov 18 2008 10:58 AM Sod is down... Picture 2326.avi metirish Nov 18 2008 10:59 AM I got to say that seeing those pictures excites me. metsguyinmichigan Nov 18 2008 11:47 AM ="HahnSolo"]="soupcan"]Here's another Easiest Where's Waldo ever. VERY funny! SteveJRogers Nov 18 2008 07:56 PM It is now a neat juxtaposition looking at Shea and Citi Field in overhead photos now and a year ago. One stadium with field and seats waiting for the new season to begin, the other the field looks like a battlefield, and the seats are not installed. Zvon Nov 18 2008 08:19 PM ="metirish":1zykiufq]I got to say that seeing those pictures excites me.[/quote:1zykiufq] I have to admit they excite me too. Edgy DC Nov 18 2008 08:56 PM Looking at those pictures, it's be kind of cool if they just paved over the field area and let the structure stand, letting early comers park and tailgate on the former field. Willets Point Nov 18 2008 09:17 PM ="Edgy DC":ez0b190s]Looking at those pictures, it's be kind of cool if they just paved over the field area and let the structure stand, letting early comers park and tailgate on the former field.[/quote:ez0b190s] And in a thousand years it will have the derelict charm of the Roman Coliseum. Hey, it already has the feral cats. Benjamin Grimm Nov 19 2008 04:29 AM I've thought the same thing. They'd just have to pop out some passageways so that traffic could flow easily. SteveJRogers Nov 25 2008 02:15 PM From baseball-fever.com a view from behind home plate (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Benjamin Grimm Nov 25 2008 02:18 PM That porch in right field looks like a drawer that needs to be pushed shut. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) metirish Nov 25 2008 02:26 PM From baseball-fever (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) G-Fafif Nov 25 2008 02:27 PM Orange foul poles, my heart be still. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Benjamin Grimm Nov 25 2008 02:29 PM I can picture a slicing line drive landing in fair territory and bouncing into the stands at the lower left. I guess it would still be a ground-rule double if that happened, even though the stands it bounces into are in foul territory. I wonder what "Hal the Referee" would say? (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 25 2008 02:31 PM ="G-Fafif":17s8qtsk]Orange foul poles, my heart be still.[/quote:17s8qtsk] Yeah. Looked like earlier versions had 'em yellow. Maybe they were just renderings. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Frayed Knot Nov 25 2008 02:34 PM Oh it would be a G-R double. Stuff like that happens all the time in Philly (both the new place and the old) and both in YSII and in RF in Boston (and I'm sure others as well). Hard to tell, but these jutting stands in LF don't look to have as extreme an angle as those in Philly but looks like we'll still get our share of goofy bounces back towards fair territory for balls that stay low enough to hit the facing of the stands and not bounce into the seats themselves. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) metirish Nov 25 2008 02:35 PM This link here has a better picture of the lines and the foul pole. http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=60954&page=341 Also there are drawings of the park. (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Farmer Ted Nov 25 2008 02:46 PM There appear to be extra tunnels in the upper deck behind home plate. Quick outs for the upper level fat cats. What is that press-box-looking-structure behind home plate (about 15 feet up from playing level? (Merged from More Citi Field photos, 11/25/2008) Benjamin Grimm Dec 02 2008 04:08 PM ]Citi Field nearly ready to open its doors Builders of Mets' new ballpark influenced by other stadiums By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com NEW YORK -- The left-field wall rises conspicuously high at Citi Field, making it both a point of note and, recently, a point of contention. "Eighteen feet," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon guessed on Tuesday, before a site worker pegged the actual height at 16 feet. And Wilpon was pleased. Citi Field, he said, may retain its predecessor's reputation as a pitcher-friendly park, but it hardly caters only to those on the mound. Toward the end of September, in fact, Wilpon invited players David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans out for a private batting practice session at the new park, and all three of them managed to yank a pitch over the wall. "Evans put it halfway up the left-field deck," Wilpon said. "It's totally reachable." Such details of the new stadium have now become focal points, because Citi Field is so close to completion. A stroll through the park on Tuesday revealed that all the seats have been installed, the press box and Diamond Club are already encased in glass, and workers have begun installing major appliances within the concession stands. Yet of greater interest to Wright, Murphy, Evans and others in uniform, of course, is what lies deeper within the stadium. Lockers have been fully installed in the home clubhouse -- Wright has already chosen his -- and the carpet and bathroom tiles feature images of the fluorescent icons affixed to Shea Stadium's exterior walls. Adjacent rooms lead to some typical clubhouse amenities -- the manager's office, kitchen and weight room, to name a few -- save for one in the back that houses a hot tub, a cold tub and an underwater treadmill. Unlike anything at Shea Stadium, that room, along with one for indoor batting cages and pitching mounds, will allow players to rehab injuries at Citi Field, rather than always fly to the team's Spring Training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. In designing this ballpark, the Mets patched together ideas and influences from stadiums around the country. An overhang in right field, for example, protrudes above the warning track in a nod to the old Tiger Stadium. In the upper deck, a two-tiered layout reveals influence from Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. Pieces of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and Coors Field in Denver are present, though Wilpon noted that his greatest influence in the design of Citi Field was seven-year-old PNC Park in Pittsburgh. "I wanted to super-size Pittsburgh," said Wilpon, who went on a nationwide ballpark tour before building his own. "I really liked Pittsburgh the best." Yet the one influence, even more than Pittsburgh's, that Wilpon wanted to capture was that of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn -- the inspiration for Citi Field's exterior and perhaps its most prominent feature, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Still incomplete, the rotunda will become Citi Field's main entranceway, allowing fans to spill out of the Willits Point subway station and into a miniature baseball shrine. An escalator leads up to the seating bowl and down below, Robinson's nine values -- a staple of the Jackie Robinson Foundation's message -- are featured. Before Opening Day, workers will also erect a nine-foot No. 42 for fans to see as they enter the park. Steps outside the rotunda lies something similarly striking, if only for its incompleteness. Shea Stadium, home of the Mets for 44 years, has been reduced to an empty dirt bowl, its seats stripped, its sod removed and nearly all of its signage disappeared. Wilpon said he hoped that Shea would be completely disassembled and converted into a parking lot by Opening Day, with small markers at the site of home plate and the pitcher's rubber. Already, Shea Stadium's frame is nearly lost in the shadow of Citi Field, which -- despite holding only 42,500 seats, roughly a 25 percent drop from Shea -- seems built on a much greater scale. There are open areas for picnic tables and standing room, and a "GA Club" behind home plate in which ticket-holders can mingle. There is a Diamond Plaza near the rotunda where Shea Stadium's old home run apple will rest, and a large concrete basin in center field for Citi Field's new apple. There are tiered bullpens in center field -- the Mets will have the lower one, closer to the field -- and a plaza outside the rotunda for greenery. Wilpon was steps away from that plaza, inside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, when he looked up and admired his handiwork. "Powerful, right?" he said. "It's now becoming what we want it to become." G-Fafif Dec 02 2008 04:34 PM Very pretty pictures of a very pretty ballpark-to-be. But their immediate impact is to make me sad in that it's so not Shea. I know, I know: that's the idea. A few innings inside could have me changing my tune pretty quickly, but it just looks like something else from somewhere else right now. Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 04:56 PM ="Anthony DiComo":3aqa8uko]Toward the end of September, in fact, Wilpon invited players David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans out for a private batting practice session at the new park, and all three of them managed to yank a pitch over the wall.[/quote:3aqa8uko] What in particular gets your attention about this sentence? metirish Dec 02 2008 04:59 PM That Nick Evens hit one out , that it was towards the end of September ,that " yank a pitch over the wall" doesn't sound that far. Benjamin Grimm Dec 02 2008 05:10 PM I like that the tiles and carpeting include a tribute to Shea Stadium. Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 05:14 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 02 2008 05:23 PM Richard Pryor had this observation to make during a seventies routine. People were talking about this dystopic futureshock sci-fi movie, called Logan's Run that left them unsettled. He went to it and was unsettled for a different reason. "I noticed there were no colored folks in this movie. Somebody's not expecting us to be around." Not that I think they're eradicating peeps of color from the roster, but while some Omar-critics may find it depressing that only five of 17 batters on the roster are caucasian, I noticed three of those five were the only ones invited to Jeff Wilpon's (who I don't think is a moron) private sleepover. Dude needs to broaden his experience. This ain't the Greenvale School. Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 05:16 PM And yeah, I'm not too keen on Wilpon not understanding that they should be focused on the business at hand in late September. Nymr83 Dec 02 2008 05:18 PM It seems obvious that Wright would be the first one invited and Murphy was being rewarded for his explosive rookie performance. Nick Evans? really? you need Nick Evans to test out your new park? I understand not inviting Delgado who might not be back but where was Beltran? Reyes? Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 05:23 PM Pat Zachry. I mean, good sources have assured me that they speak English and everything. G-Fafif Dec 02 2008 05:48 PM ]Still incomplete, the rotunda will become Citi Field's main entranceway, allowing fans to spill out of the Willits Point subway station Anthony DiComo obviously drives to games and has never seen the sign for the station (or met our own Willets Point). With the ballpark name in at least a little limbo, one hopes the MTA hasn't invested in new station signs just yet. metirish Dec 02 2008 05:58 PM ="metirish"]That Nick Evens hit one out , that it was towards the end of September ,that " yank a pitch over the wall" doesn't sound that far. I had not read the article when I made that comment , so Wilpon was talking about a 16 foot high wall in LF , not sure if I'm Nick Evens I think that the boss is giving me a compliment here. ] Evans put it halfway up the left-field deck," Wilpon said. "It's totally reachable." Edgy DC Dec 02 2008 06:10 PM I want it noted, suckers, that one of the primary indictments of Shea --- that the outfield field-level seats largely face directly toward the outfield, rather than the infield where most of the action occurs, does not appear to be improved upon at all at Citi. soupcan Dec 04 2008 08:23 AM bb-f again ="Edgy DC"]I want it noted, suckers, that one of the primary indictments of Shea --- that the outfield field-level seats largely face directly toward the outfield, rather than the infield where most of the action occurs, does not appear to be improved upon at all at Citi. Not so! Angled seats... metirish Dec 04 2008 08:54 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 04 2008 09:44 AM High staircase and escalator obviously , people falling and going splat on the Robinson rotunda is to be expected I would think. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 09:25 AM ="soupcan":188c6xn0]Not so! Angled seats...[/quote:188c6xn0] Well, shut my mouth. Rows angled maybe ten degrees toward the infield. Seats angled ten degrees more. That's something. Benjamin Grimm Dec 04 2008 09:27 AM I do like the improved legroom. You can even have a guy in a hardhat kneel down in front of your seat, if that's your idea of a good time. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 09:30 AM You've been reading my blog. soupcan Dec 04 2008 01:12 PM Cool little video tour of Citi[/url:3bdfxevb] metirish Dec 04 2008 01:18 PM ="soupcan":3fpddl03]Cool little video tour of Citi[/url:3fpddl03][/quote:3fpddl03] Very cool , at the 2:10 mark they show a fenced in patch of green next to the stand in what I think is left of center field , is that the bullpen? Farmer Ted Dec 04 2008 01:28 PM Mets logo on the end seat of each row. Looking classy. soupcan Dec 04 2008 01:29 PM A lot of nice hi-res shots like this at metsblog.com on the front page. This the first pic I've seen of the nice w - i - d - e concourses. seawolf17 Dec 04 2008 01:34 PM ="metirish":cf49cmfu]High staircase and escalator obviously , people falling and going splat on the Robinson rotunda is to be expected I would think.[/quote:cf49cmfu] Considering what happened this year, you'd think they'd be conscious of that. Benjamin Grimm Dec 04 2008 01:40 PM They should string circus-style safety nets below each of the escalators. That concourse does look nice. It's easy to see how you could be standing on the hot dog line while keeping an eye on the game. That, I think, is the best thing that the new stadium will have over Shea. I also like the visible steel infrastructure, although that's hardly an innovation. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 04 2008 01:43 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3jnxf2zm] I also like the visible steel infrastructure, although that's hardly an innovation.[/quote:3jnxf2zm] Yeah, though its supposed to subtly remind you of the bridge on the Mets logo, which is supposed to remind you of how the Mets reached across the city to "bridge" fans of the Giants and Dodgers, and the Eastsiders and Westsiders, and Kiddies and Wives, and the Butcher, the Baker and the People on the Street. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 01:49 PM Thank God the Mets brought kiddies and wives together. Willets Point Dec 04 2008 03:19 PM ="Edgy DC":h0g9fccu]You've been reading my blog.[/quote:h0g9fccu] I want to read this blog. Valadius Dec 04 2008 04:02 PM I like the use of brick on the inside of the stadium rather than just the facade. Rockin' Doc Dec 04 2008 05:23 PM No one will ever pull an Endy on that left field wall. How tall is that wall in left field? Zvon Dec 04 2008 05:33 PM What I like: almost everything. It looks beautiful, real low to the ground. User friendly for the fan. On the whole a nice new home for my Metsies. What I don't like: I've never been a fan of the two tier bullpen. Hate em! Bullpen fights could make things exciting though. I really like the use of chain link fence here, but that one outjutting looks like trouble to me. Once again, the whole right field set up should make things exciting. (I'm not against "exciting", I just do not like silly injuries) I like an outfield wall where there's always a possibility of pulling one back into the park. So I'm not too thrilled with the height of that left field wall. I am assuming that these are the outfield walls (that there wont be wooden ones placed a foot or so in front of those we see, which I think I'd prefer). I'm sure that if they go with these concrete walls that will be padded with the best material available, but I still don't like the idea of a wall with absolutely no give to it. Don't mind me. Im just being an idiopathic idiosyncrat. themetfairy Dec 04 2008 05:57 PM Not at all Zvon - I enjoyed your illustrative input. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 06:05 PM I like an outfield wall with a hidden door that an outfielder can suddenly disappear through. Valadius Dec 04 2008 06:36 PM It's almost like they're setting up for a Field of Dreams cornfield stunt. Frayed Knot Dec 04 2008 09:20 PM Or a Manny signing. soupcan Dec 07 2008 04:02 PM Old Apple goes here? Benjamin Grimm Dec 07 2008 05:23 PM My understanding (could be wrong, though) is that the old apple is going to be inside the stadium but somewhere in centerfield. Edgy DC Dec 07 2008 05:36 PM That'll be an all-nu apple. soupcan Dec 07 2008 05:42 PM You saying all-nu inside or all-nu outside? Edgy DC Dec 07 2008 07:15 PM All-nu inside. soupcan Dec 07 2008 07:21 PM Right - but that podium or hole or whatever is outside, so I'm thinking that's where the old one will go. Or a statue..? Frayed Knot Dec 07 2008 07:23 PM Yeah, my understanding was nu-apple inside, apple-classic on view somewhere outside. G-Fafif Dec 07 2008 08:08 PM Both will be out in center, according to Metsblog, which was on the media tour last week. ]For starters, Jeff Wilpon told reporters that the old Home-Run Apple from Shea Stadium will be on display in back of the concourse in center field, which was good to hear. However, a new Apple will pop up from a concrete cannister beneath the center-field scoreboard. That thing they're building outside, obviously, is a kiddie pool. soupcan Dec 12 2008 02:41 PM So the outside is an homage to Ebbets. The green seats are supposedly a nod to the Polo Grounds. Where's Shea? Oh there it is, on the floor of the locker room. Is that the ugliest damn rug you've ever seen or what? Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 02:44 PM That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:49 PM That is one ugly rug. So Shea gets the honor of being stepped on? Valadius Dec 12 2008 04:58 PM Pepitone's rug looks like Blagojevich's. metirish Dec 12 2008 05:03 PM ="Edgy DC":befgt7hd]That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. [/quote:befgt7hd] Very funny. dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 05:11 PM ="Edgy DC"]That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. I'm think Phil here would give Joe a run for his money: themetfairy Dec 12 2008 05:14 PM That has to be Phil's own hair. Nobody would construct a toupee THAT ugly! metsguyinmichigan Dec 12 2008 05:43 PM ="metirish":3bn5ocf6]="Edgy DC":3bn5ocf6]That honor still belongs to the late Joe Pepitone. [/quote:3bn5ocf6] Very funny.[/quote:3bn5ocf6] WOW. And the rug on the guy on the right in the tan coat is horrible, too! And if I were Phil Spector's attorney, I'd go for the insanity defense and just point to him sitting there with that 'do and sit back and wait for the acquittal. soupcan Dec 12 2008 07:11 PM Pepitone's dead? Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 07:59 PM Guess not. My boo-boo. Sorry, Joe. I just sent a white elephant Christmas gift to my sister's Yankfan boyfriend. It was a Yankee hat that my brother got Pepitone's autograph on. What did he ever think I'd want with that. One time Pepitone, after missing a ballgame with a niggling injury while playing in Japan, was photographed at a disco later, out dancing with his wig. To this day, supposedly, American players who come to Japan and play the diva are called "Pepitones." Willets Point Dec 13 2008 05:52 PM ="soupcan":1k1wbb9f] Is that the ugliest damn rug you've ever seen or what?[/quote:1k1wbb9f] The carpet will be vastly improved by frequently soaking it in champagne. Farmer Ted Dec 13 2008 06:47 PM I was living in NC in the mid 90s and in charge of putting on a sports-related banquet. The Yankees had a minor league team in Greensboro for a number of years and the committee board voted to have a former Yankee or a current member of the organization to be the featured speaker. I swallowed my pride and called the Bronx. The PR office hack said someone would be in touch in a few days. Phone rings 20 minutes later. Pepitone on the other end. No shit. I explain we're looking for a speaker yadda yadda yadda and he says "I'll do it (basically volunteering himself). We can work on a fee but you need to fly me down there. Great times I had in that town." Apparently he had the gig of lining up the Yankees alumni for public appearances. I went back to the committee and told them Pepitone was the best I could do (not that I tried any harder). The room busted into hysterical laughter and we found someone else from a different sport to speak. Edgy DC Dec 13 2008 07:03 PM There was an episode of Mad About You where Jamie asked what ballplayer they can get for a personal appearance on a limited budget. Paul's answer was an aging swinger of a sixties Yankee firstbaseman clearly based on the Pep. cooby Dec 13 2008 07:56 PM I swear I was thinking about Joe Pepitone this morning. And why? Ashie62 Dec 17 2008 07:05 AM ="cooby":3lcpnzjo]I swear I was thinking about Joe Pepitone this morning. And why?[/quote:3lcpnzjo] Did you wake up with a woody? Rockin' Doc Dec 17 2008 10:24 AM I believe that would be a physical impossibility for cooby. metsmarathon Dec 17 2008 11:46 AM well, this thread sure has taken some strange strange turns hasn't it? Edgy DC Jan 07 2009 07:49 AM NEW YORK-- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration will forgo luxury boxes at the new Yankees and Mets ballparks, the city said Tuesday after months of criticism about its handling of the stadium projects. The administration has worked out a new deal with the Yankees to get extra money, instead of a luxury box. A separate and similar agreement is being worked out with the Mets for their new park, a Bloomberg spokesman said. Senior Bloomberg aides had fought hard to get the luxury boxes, describing the perk in internal e-mails as "a big issue to the mayor" during negotiations with the teams in 2006. That battle for the boxes only recently came to light as state and federal lawmakers launched investigations into how the teams and the administration went about making those deals. The decision to give up the luxury boxes comes as Bloomberg seeks reelection this year and repeatedly cites the city's enormous budget shortfalls. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 07 2009 07:56 AM They gave it up at the same time they were forced to cough up reams of smoking guns on how filthy the whole thing was, including begging by the MFYs to increase their duistribution of public $$ to cover shit like their scoreboard and video board. Mets are also asking for more but about half the MFYs overall since the project was so much less expensive. Centerfield Jan 07 2009 03:17 PM I think the Mets should sign Manny and ask the public to pick up the tab.

Just spoke to MGIM. He's relieved, to say the least.

"11 Alive" doesn't resonate MFY with me, even though it took me several years to associate Channel 11 with the Mets. Just a matter of semantics, I suppose. Channel 9 had a slogan in the fall of '73: The Great Combination, New York and Channel 9. The extent of that great combination was the Mets, Bowling for Dollars and a coveted VHF frequency.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think of it as Odd Couple/Honeymooners territory. 11 Alive debuted as WPIX's theme the same fall season "The Odd Couple" entered syndication. The was another 11 Alive in Atlanta around the same time...spooky!

A damn fine article in Forbes by Tom Van Riper. ]Opinion Where It's All About The Game Tom Van Riper 07.18.08, 6:00 AM ET Come October, a classically original New York City baseball stadium will shut its gates for the last time. For decades, it's played host to thousands of games, thrilling pennant races, countless Hall of Famers and World Series drama. Yes, Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets, where my father took me to my first game on Helmet Day in 1970 (Nolan Ryan started for the Mets in a 4-3 win over the Astros), is playing out its final season. You thought maybe I meant that other stadium across town? No, you already knew that Yankee Stadium is also in its final season. You've been told about that over and over (and over) again. The violins and countless tributes to Yankee Stadium that began in April and reached a fever pitch during All-Star week will no doubt continue through the last out this fall. The never-ending theme: A classic original has its swan song. The only problem is that Yankee Stadium is not a classic original. The building where Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio et al. became legends? It was wrecked in 1973. Contrary to the prevailing myth, Yankee Stadium went through more than a "face lift" back then. It was closer to a razing and rebuilding. Same name, same grounds--but the stadium isn't a classic in the vein of Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. It's more of a '70s monstrosity. And, like disco, it was outdated about five years after its 1976 debut. Shea Stadium has had its share of tweaks over the years. But it's still the same building that opened in 1964, right next door to the grounds of the New York World's Fair. In fact, the Mets debut game there coincided with the day Ford unveiled the Mustang right next door. For fans looking for a baseball museum, complete with bars up and down the neighboring block, Yankee Stadium is the place. But the essence of being a sports fan is going to a stadium to actually, you know, see the game--aesthetics be damned. And to have fun doing it. On that score, it's just no contest. At Shea, fans chant "Let's Go, Mets." At Yankee Stadium, they give the Bronx cheer. Shea Stadium has had the wave; Yankee Stadium the one-finger salute. Shea Stadium has Mr. Met entertaining the kids and a red apple popping out of a hat after home runs. Yankee Stadium has liquored-up "bleacher creatures" performing an inane roll call of player names as the game is about to start. Shea has four retired numbers on its left field wall: for Casey Stengel, the Mets' original manager; Gil Hodges, who died while still manager in 1972; Tom Seaver, the greatest player in franchise history; and for Jackie Robinson, whose number was permanently retired by Major League Baseball in 1997. I've lost count of how many retired numbers line Yankee Stadium's left field wall. At last check it was something like 1,800--one for every player who ever hit at least 0.260 in a season. In a nutshell, Shea Stadium is fun; Yankee Stadium is stuffy. Setting the tone in the Bronx is veteran public address announcer Bob Sheppard, a.k.a. the voice of God. With all due respect to the renowned Mr. Sheppard, a Yankee Stadium fixture for over five decades who has been ill and on the sidelines this season, his ultra-serious baritone delivery never did much for me. Who wants the players introduced by Dudley Moore's butler in Arthur? Sheppard's opening remarks each night might as well go something like this: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Yankee Stadium, the royal cathedral of sports, where we take our baseball very seriously. Talking is to be limited to a whisper. Anyone who fails to genuflect toward Monument Park at the end of each inning, as house rules require, will be ejected. And please note: No fun is allowed at any time." Funny how Yankee Stadium was generally thought to be a dump in the early 1990s, when owner George Steinbrenner, threatening a move to New Jersey, constantly whined about narrow aisles, leaky pipes, a shortage of luxury suites and limited parking. The team stunk then too. But by 1996, when Joe Torre and Derek Jeter arrived to lead the Yankees back to championship glory, the stadium somehow became iconic. Thanks, but I'll take Jerry Koosman jumping into his catcher's arms after the final game of the 1969 World Series, completing the Mets' journey from laughingstock to champions. Tug McGraw fighting off the fans as he ran for the dugout after the final out of the 1973 playoff upset over the Reds, which sent the team to its second World Series in five years. Tom Seaver mowing down opponents during the '70s, then coming back to a packed house as a Cincinnati Red in August of 1977 as loyal fans cheered his victory over his old (and their own) team. For one day, a message to management that dared trade Tom Terrific was more important than a win. Shea is whooping it up with my father as 19-year-old phenom Dwight Gooden whiffs 12 Dodgers one night in 1984, the "K Corner" patrol in the left field upper deck acknowledging each one with a sign. Plate umpire Doug Harvey, normally as staid as they come, got so into the atmosphere that night that he took to ringing up Dodger hitters with more and more dramatic flair as the game progressed, sending the crowd into frenzy. Shea is Darryl Strawberry and Mike Piazza taking curtain calls after hitting bombs, and Jose Reyes clapping his hands after stretching a double into a triple. And, of course, the way the place shook when Ray Knight stomped on home plate with the winning run of the sixth game of the 1986 World Series, just moments after all seemed to be lost. Meanwhile, dad and I are set to come full circle, with tickets in hand for the July 25 Mets-Cardinals game at Shea. It's our last one, 38 years after Helmet Day. The only drag will be the sight of Citi Field, the Mets' new state-of-the-art home that opens next season, just beyond the outfield fence; a sober reminder that an era has passed. Am I just being a sappy sentimentalist, ignoring the economic realities of 21st-century baseball? Well, of course. But I have no apologies. We're all entitled to mourn the passing of our youths. Right now I tell people I'll never go to Citi Field, that my run ends when Shea closes down. Of course, I'll probably weaken eventually, especially because I've got a two-year-old son of my own. Citi Field is where he'll collect his memories. But I've already got mine. So thanks, Shea, it's been a great ride. You are a true original.

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Tonight for Sandra! Thanks for the thought. Tomorrow for Mets Guy in Cincinnati.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 11 Alive? Wow. I had $5 on "This one goes to Eleven." The element of surprise...though the Reds weren't fooled at all.

On the birthday of former Mets manager Joe Torre and the late Mets fan Sandra Prince, the Mets attempt to stay in first place and tie a team-record winning streak. METS Reyes SS Anderson LF Wright 3B Beltran CF Easley 2B Delgado 1B Tatis RF Schneider C Maine P REDS Bruce CF Keppinger SS Griffey RF Phillips 2B Dunn LF Encarnacion 3B Votto 1B Bako C Arroyo P Let's Go Mets!

Forgive if this came up already, but last night was the first game the Mets won in Cincinnati when trailing by two entering the ninth since Jesse Orosco played right field.

I'm a little disappointed this KTE didn't analyze the softball team from WPIG.

Congratulations! Got mine (a gift as well) the other day. Man, this is heavy, I thought. Now if I can get a brick from Shea, I'll have...well, I'll have two bricks.