G-Fafif

Steve Balboni must not have been available.

OP@CY picked up the molded design tradition with the 1890s Orioles logo designed right into the seat at the beginning of each row. It was modeled on the NY at the Polo Grounds. Keyspan Park has the Cyclone B meet the Met NY. A little disappointing that old-timey Citi Field is using stickers. Not a huge thing, but why not...y'know?

Eddie's interview did tend to meld various events together to serve the greater Kranepool narrative (i.e. Mets swept a four-game series from the Cubs at Shea in July '69; it was three games and the Mets took the first two) but I imagine he got the not being asked (yet) 100% right. Between that and reading that bit about Piazza, you wonder how many more Lincoln-Mercury dealers and Jackie Robinson scholars need be honored before minor characters like Ed Kranepool and Mike Piazza get a call.

Although I suppose I am prime target demo for HOF introductions and such, man was that long and drawn out. Loved Ralph's appearance, however.

Went today. Expected little. Expectations far surpassed. If I forget how much I spent on baseball paraphernailia, it was great fun. Just liked the sense of baseball community. Even MFY fans didn't bring me down by their mere presence. We were all kind of there for the same reason: fealty to a sphere with 108 stitches. Only downer was rude enforcement of no beverage rule by security at check-in which elicited a visceral "WELL THAT'S STUPID!" from me (I've always wanted to act out against security at airports and such and here, I guess, I figured nothing would happen if I did). After that, I mellowed out, overbought and took it all in. JCL was right about the corporate ballwashing, but that comes with the territory. Got a nice glance at Ed Charles; swooned at the little-known Mel Ott Award; recorded (badly) "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; availed myself of the free tacos not once but twice; and so forth. A good time. Overpriced, but given that it's a rare enough happening, worth it sort of, even if the Javits Center brought back memories of boring-ass trade show drudgery from previous professional lives. Next time let me keep my frigging beverages in my frigging bag, however.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Now, the place has been sanctified with all that "aura and mystique" nonsense and going there is just unthinkable. It would be like paying a visit to Osama Bin Laden's favorite mosque. You rest my case.

]An NL executive said he believes Minaya's historic aggression will lead him to make some kind of trade before the deadline to augment the surging Mets. I believe the word Sherman seeks is aggressiveness, not aggression. Aggressiveness suggests assertive and bold action. Aggression implies Minaya's looking to invade Poland.

Peer pressure -- at least that wrought by running into people carrying those DHL bags everywhere I turn around the last two days -- got to me and I bought tix for Tuesday before it folds its tents. Let the corporate ball washing commence! Or continue!

Sneak peek at Mets' 2009 uniforms here, per Mr. Wilpon.

batmagadanleadoff wrote: ="G-Fafif"]Berra Era Met All-Star History 1975 Seaver, inserted in sixth to pitch; throws one inning; gives up three-run homer to Carl Yastrzemski; replaced by Jon Matlack Matlack, inserted in seventh to pitch; throws two scoreless innings; allows hits to Claudell Washington and George Hendrick; pinch-hit for by Al Oliver who starts winning rally with double; records win Hey! What are you, slipping or something??!!?? What about Matlack's MVP? What about that? Huh? Excellent point, dreadful omission, entry repaired.

AG/DC wrote: High anticipation here for the Frazier era. Frazier era folded into Berra-Frazier era above; Torre era repurposed as Torre-Bamberger-Howard era.

Berra-Frazier Era Met All-Star History 1972 Mays, starts in CF; bats second; goes 0-for-2; replaced by Cesar Cedeno in sixth McGraw, inserted in ninth; allows only Joe Rudi double in two scoreless innings; records save 1973 Mays, inserted as PH in eighth for Willie Stargell; strikes out Seaver, inserted to pitch in eighth; throws scoreless inning; allows only walk to Cookie Rojas; replaced by Jim Brewer 1974 Matlack, inserted to pitch in sixth; throws scoreless inning, allowing single to George Hendrick and walk to Thurman Munson; replaced by Lynn McGlothlen in seventh Grote, inserted in ninth to catch 1975 Seaver, inserted in sixth to pitch; throws one inning; gives up three-run homer to Carl Yastrzemski; replaced by Jon Matlack Matlack, inserted in seventh to pitch; throws two scoreless innings; allows hits to Claudell Washington and George Hendrick; pinch-hit for by Al Oliver who starts winning rally with double; records win; awarded co-MVP with Bill Madlock 1976 Kingman, starts in RF; bats seventh; goes 0-for-2 with K; replaced by starting CF George Foster in right when Cesar Cedeno inserted in CF Seaver, inserted to pitch in fourth; throws two innings; allows home run to Fred Lynn in fourth; allows single to Rusty Staub in fifth but erases him on DP; replaced by John Montefusco in sixth

Hodges Era Met All-Star History 1968 Grote, starts at C; bats seventh; goes 0-for-2, replaced by Tom Haller in sixth Seaver, inserted to pitch in seventh; throws two scoreless innings Koosman, inserted to pitch with two outs in ninth; strikes out Carl Yastrzemski to end game; records save 1969 Jones, starts in LF; bats sixth; goes 2-for-4; scores two runs; replaced by Pete Rose in eighth Koosman, inserted to pitch in seventh; allows leadoff double to Rico Petrocelli then retires next five; replaced by Larry Dierker with two out in eighth Seaver, DNP 1970 Seaver, starting pitcher; throws three innings; allows one hit; strikes out four; pinch-hit for in third by Rusty Staub Harrelson, inserted at SS in seventh; goes 2-for-3 (two singles); scores first N.L. run 1971 Harrelson, starts at SS; goes 0-for-2; replaced by Don Kessinger in sixth Seaver, DNP

Westrum Era Met All-Star History 1966 Hunt, inserted at 2B in sixth; grounds out in seventh; sacrifices Tim McCarver to second in tenth to set up winning run 1967 Seaver, inserted to pitch 15th, allows only a walk to Carl Yastrzemski, records save for Don Drysdale

Stengel Era Met All-Star History 1962 (Game 1) Ashburn, DNP 1962 (Game 2) Ashburn, inserted as PH in seventh, singles 1963 Snider, inserted as PH in eighth, strikes out; stays in in LF 1964 Hunt, starts at 2B, bats eighth, goes 1-for-3 (single in third), pinch-hit for by Hank Aaron in ninth (Aaron K's before Callison hits game-winning homer) 1965 Kranepool, DNP

I wish the Mets could trade him to the Mets as only the Mets seem gullible enough to take on his stupid contract.

Seaver, I mention for no apparent reason, gone from Red Sox by then. He was a free agent after '86 and got caught in the middle of collusion limbo (and was recovering from an injury at age 42). Pitching-strapped Mets gave him a long look in June, his final appearance in a Mets @ Tides game...and a simulated game where Barry Lyons went 6-for-6. Visited Boston the weekend prior to the Sox @ Mets game. Leigh Montville wrote a column pleading that the Red Sox just send the Mets a check (it was a charity game) and never, ever go back to Shea Stadium. Even seeing the paneling in the Shea dugouts, Montville said, was too painful a reminder of what happened the previous October. Also on May 7, 1987: Diane says goodbye to Sam & Cheers. I flipped back and forth between the finale and the game during commercial breaks. (Come to think of it, kind of unusual for in-season exhibition games to be telecast, but both this one and the September game at Fenway the year before were, such was the interest level.) Edited to reflect bmfc1 way too hard on himself

Torre-Bamberger-Howard Era Met All-Star History 1977 John Stearns, inserted to catch ninth 1978 Pat Zachry, does not pitch (isn't injured until later in July) 1979 Lee Mazzilli, pinch-hits in eighth (homers; plays CF, walks with bases loaded in ninth) John Stearns, DNP (chosen as replacement for injured reserve C Ted Simmons) 1980 John Stearns, inserted to catch in fourth (bats in fifth and grounds out as 14th consecutive N.L. out to start game before N.L. rallies; pinch-hit for by Pete Rose in sixth) 1981 Joel Youngblood, inserted to pinch-hit in second (fouls out) 1982 Stearns, inserted to catch ninth 1983 Orosco, inserted to pitch with two outs in seventh; strikes out Ben Oglivie; pinch-hit for by Johnny Bench

AG/DC wrote: You know, when Joel Youngblood made the All-Star Team in 1981, he couldn't play because he was hurt. In fact, it was pretty clear that he was out long-term when he was selected. He was replaced, but nobody felt an obligation to do it with Dave Kingman or Mookie Wilson or Hubie Brooks or Neil Allen. 'Blood showed up and tipped his cap and, other than that, my 14-year-old self had to accept that our lone All star bert was stillborn. Youngblood batted and popped up foul.

For those of you scoring at home, here's the full Countdown Like It Oughta Be from the Home Opener to the All-Star Break. 81. 4/8 vs PHI THEME: Bill Shea --Kathy Shea Anfuso --Patricia Shea Ryan --Bill Shea, Jr. 80. 4/9 vs PHI THEME: First series at Shea --Jack Fisher --Jim Hickman --Tim Harkness --Hawk Taylor --Al Jackson 79. 4/10 vs PHI THEME: Shea's First All-Star --Ron Hunt Read more here. 78. 4/11 vs MIL THEME: Longtime Shea Employees --Bob Mandt --Pete Flynn 77. 4/12 vs MIL THEME: Shea In Tune --Jane Jarvis --Ruth Roberts --Bill Katz 76. 4/13 vs MIL THEME: Building of Shea --Lorinda de Roulet --Duncan Wagner 75. 4/15 vs WAS THEME: Jackie Robinson Night --Rachel Robinson --Lance Johnson --Armando Reynoso --Toby Borland --Butch Huskey --Mo Vaughn 74. 4/16 vs WAS THEME: 2006 Contributors --Manny Acta --Lastings Milledge --Paul Lo Duca 73. 4/17 vs WAS THEME: Shea's Birthday --Boomer Esiason --Gary Bennett --Denny Walling --Liz Phair --Ken Daneyko Read more here. 72. 4/25 vs ATL THEME: Great Opponent --Hank Aaron 71. 4/26 vs ATL THEME: Covering the Mets --George Vecsey --Vic Ziegel --Roger Angell --Jay Horwitz 70. 4/27 vs ATL THEME: Rebuilding the Mets --Nelson Doubleday --Fred Wilpon 69. 4/28 vs PIT THEME: Just Missed Out --Kevin Collins --Ed Lynch --Brian McRae --Xavier Nady 68. 4/29 vs PIT THEME: The Fog Game --Jim Rooker --Mike Easler --Skip Lockwood --Joel Youngblood 67. 4/30 vs PIT THEME: The Odd Couple --Bill Mazeroski --Jack Klugman Read more here. 66. 5/9 vs CIN THEME: All-Time Nemesis --Pete Rose 65. 5/10 vs CIN THEME: Shea Superfans --Eddie Boison --Richard Ehrhardt --Bonnie Troester 64. 5/11 vs CIN THEME: Mets' First Home --Frank Thomas --Roger Craig --Choo Choo Coleman --Ted Schreiber 63. 5/12 vs WAS THEME: Proximity to LaGuardia --Anthony Coscia --Dave Kingman 62. 5/13 vs WAS THEME: Tomato Patch --Joe Pignatano 61. 5/14 vs WAS THEME: Shea Sportsmanship --Mike Andrews 60. 5/15 vs WAS THEME: Beloved Shea Character --Garrett Morris Read more here. 59. 5/26 vs FLA THEME: 18-Inning 0-0 Tie --Rob Gardner --Darrell Sutherland --Dennis Ribant 58. 5/27 vs FLA THEME: Shea Sponsors --Terry Liebman 57. 5/28 vs FLA THEME: Robert Moses --Robert Caro 56. 5/29 vs LAD THEME: The Joe Torre Era --Joe Torre --John Stearns --Lee Mazzilli 55. 5/30 vs LAD THEME: The Magic Is Back --Jerry Della Femina --Craig Swan --Doug Flynn 54. 5/31 vs LAD THEME: Saturday Night Specials --Marlon Anderson --Carl Everett --Steve Henderson 53. 6/1 vs LAD THEME: Shea's Busy 1975 --Dave Jennings --John Riggins --Sandy Alomar, Sr. --Jon Matlack Read more here. 52. 6/10 vs ARI THEME: Close But No Cigar --Billy Cotton --Terrell Hansen --Charlie Samuels 51. 6/11 vs ARI THEME: Multipurpose Shea --Emile Griffith --Shep Messing --Doug Williams 50. 6/12 vs ARI THEME: Met-Lovin' Big Shot --Jerry Seinfeld 49. 6/13 vs TEX THEME: Bad Luck at Shea --Jimmy Qualls --Anthony Young 48. 6/14 vs TEX THEME: Moonlight Graham --Joe Hietpas --Jessie Hudson --Francisco Estrada --Kevin Morgan --Kenny Greer 47. 6/15 vs TEX THEME: Perfect Game at Shea --Gus Triandos --Johnny Stephenson --Jim Bunning --Nolan Ryan Read more here. 46. 6/23 vs SEA THEME: Metropolitan Area Players --Rico Brogna --Joe Orsulak --Ken Singleton --John Pacella --Pete Falcone --Mike Jorgensen --Ed Glynn 45. 6/24 vs SEA THEME: The 7 Train --H. Dale Hemmerdinger --George Foster --Willie Monta�ez --Eddie Murray --Bernard Gilkey 44. 6/25 vs SEA THEME: Unsung 1986 Heroes --Bo Fields --Michael Sergio 43. 6/26 vs NYY THEME: Yankee Stadium II's Final Season --Dave Mlicki 42. 6/27 vs NYY THEME: Subway Series Drama --Matt Franco 41. 6/28 vs NYY THEME: New York City Unity --Yogi Berra --Willie Randolph Read more here. 40. 7/8 vs SFG THEME: Mets-Giants Playoff --Benny Agbayani --Bobby Jones 39. 7/9 vs SFG THEME: Old Timers Day Salute to NYC Centerfielders --Willie Mays --Duke Snider --Terry Cashman 38. 7/10 vs SFG THEME: 32-Inning Doubleheader --Juan Marichal --Bill Wakefield --Joe Christopher --Galen Cisco --Craig Anderson --Gaylord Perry 37. 7/11 vs COL THEME: Mets All-Stars --Bobby Bonilla --Pat Zachry --Frank Viola --Bret Saberhagen --Todd Hundley --Jesse Orosco 36. 7/12 vs COL THEME: 1986 Announcers --Tim McCarver --Steve Zabriskie --Gary Thorne --Fran Healy 35. 7/13 vs COL THEME: The Great Shea Blackout --Bob Apodaca --Harry Wendlestedt --Ray Burris --Lenny Randle Read more here. And stay tuned every home game the rest of the way for the exciting conclusion to the Countdown Like It Oughta Be!

The just-completed homestand in all its introductory detail is available here[/url:2u1o9hcd].

It's all toast and jam right now, but let the roll continue. In other words, interim is as interim does (in even other words, no, no need to rush).

Necessary addendum... � ROCKSLIDE COMPLETED (7/13/08) --Mike Pelfrey and Joe Smith combine on 7-0 shutout to sweep Colorado in its last trip to Shea; Mets finish homestand vs. SF and COL 6-0; pitching staff yields 4 runs and 20 hits across 54 innings; Mets enter ASB on nine-game winning streak

I thought it meant he was a Clintonite from well back. FYI, Iba�ez drove us not a little crazy during KC's only IL series at Shea in '02: 5-for-12, 5 RBI including a three-run homer off Pedro Astacio in the Royals' sole win. Beltran homered in that game, too.

No playoffs, no signature moments, but moments nonetheless... � ROCK ON! (4/5/93) --Colorado plays and loses its first game ever; Doc opens the Shea season for the final time, winning 3-0 � LET'S GET THOSE GUYS (7/14/95) --Mets jump all over future Mets Armando Reynoso and Juan Acevedo in 13-4 win; I break personal-worst 8-game losing streak at Shea � FRANCO SU...AW, YOU KNOW (4/21/96) --Johnny blows 3-2 lead in ninth, Mets lose 6-4, I boo a Met for probably the last and loudest time � YOU BROUGHT THAT FROM HOME? (6/26/96) --Mets complete midweek sweep of Rockies; both teams are nothing special; there is no rivalry to speak of; yet fans actually wave brooms � ARMS GONE WILD (5/18/97) --Rockies bullpen allows a single, five consecutive walks, three more singles and a double to convert a 4-2 lead into a 10-4 defeat � THE QUIET MAN (5/19/97) --Greg McMichael blows lead for Armando Reynoso in eighth; Fonzie doubles in ninth, Olerud homers for 4-3 win on a Monday afternoon when I'm listening in my office and rush out in excitement only to find nobody where I work even knew the Mets were playing a day game; I hate the MFYs � IT ALL LOOKS GOOD ON US (8/18/98) --For first time I can remember (and it doesn't seem like it was possible it could have happened before) Mets wear different uniform combinations for Shea doubleheader...and win both ends. � EVERYBODY'S GRAND (9/5/99) --Earlier in the year, Brian McRae hit a grand slam, only to be traded for Darryl Hamilton; today Hamilton hits a grand slam; not in the boxscore: Mets play current hit "Mambo No. 5" after "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," which seems to go over all right, but I never hear it again as "Lazy Mary" is institutionalized � BUBBA WHO? (5/16/00) --Bubba Carpenter, never heard from before or again, homers off Turk Wendell in the eleventh for a Rockie uprising � WRONG WAY YOSHII (8/17/00) --Mets maul mate Masato, now with Colorado, for nine runs in five innings; Bordick homers later even; Mets wins getaway game 13-2 � SCHOOL'S IN (8/21/01) --Mike Hampton welcomed back unwarmly; Mets win 5-2; latter-day Signman photographed in Daily News brandishing TRAITOR and LOOSER placards � HAMPTON STILL DOESN'T GET IT (5/11/02) --Any love, that is. McEwing tags him, Leiter beats him; returns of Todd Zeile, Benny Agbayani and Rick White spark no nostalgia either � STEVE WORKS FAST (8/18/03) --Trachsel gets the ball, throws it, gets it back, throws it...and it works quite well: a one-hitter spoiled only by opposing pitcher's Chin-hui Tsao's double; I really thought this was going to be the day; also Cliff Floyd's final '03 appearance before surgery -- he ends on a hot streak and is showered by an ovation when everyone realizes it's his last at-bat 'til '04; finishes four-game set 11-for-15 with 6 RBI � TEARS ON MY PELLOW (5/23/04) --T#m Gl@v!ne's preemptive shot at absolution for all future sin, a no-hitter into the eighth until worldbeater Kit Pellow gets his Qualls on � STILL POWERFUL (9/29/05) --Mike Piazza smacks Sunny Kim for final Met homer; Gl@v!ne strikes out 11, allows 2 hits, goes 9; Mets win 11-0 � MORE POWERFUL (10/2/05) --Piazza does nothing but show up in Met farewell; only game I ever saw put in park because somebody's contract was ending � LUCKY YOU WEREN'T AROUND THEN (8/19/06) --Mets schedule '86 reunion against expansion Rockies; old guys send chills to upper deck by cutting through field boxes; new guys wear throwbacks and stick it to team that didn't exist twenty years earlier � EASLEY & ENDY TAKE IT AWAY (4/24/07) --One strike from prevailing in a tense ten-inning pitchers' duel, Brian Fuentes surrenders homer to heretofore bit player Damion Easley; Endy Chavez lays down incredible drag bunt in twelfth to score speedy Shawn Green for life-affirming 2-1 win � FIVE PITCHERS, ONE HIT (7/12/08) --Pedro Martinez departs after four inning with tightness here and there, but Muniz, Heilman, Schoeneweis and Wagner pick up slack to preserve 3-0, 1-hit victory; Mets win eighth in a row, the last five with no more than three hits given up in any one game; but you already knew that