metsmarathon

nice! i may have to get me one of them.

damned meetings trying to get in the way of me placing my overdue schaeffer votes!

Delgado 3.0 Beltran 1.7 Wright 1.6 Schneider 1.5 Rodriguez 1.3 Parnell 0.9

First Hit: murphy First double: church First Triple: reyes First Home Run: wright First walk drawn: reyes First strikeout Victim: giles First run scored: reyes First Met booed: castillo

so.. what do you think are the chances that there'll be some day-of-game seats available for that home opener thingy? and, as a corollary, what do you think are the chances that those tickets will be in seats priced less than $250/each?

yeesh... not a good game so far

i like the one fucking douche in the white jacket who pushes the guy who's holding back another guy back into the fray. then when hte guy he pushed, wearing a black jacket turns, he points to the guy next to him who isn't really paying much attention.

sigh... finally... an update. nobody cares. i sure don't... Player Old Team New Team $/Yr Yrs metirish attgig edgy dc OlerudO mm JCL Oliver Perez, SP NY Mets NYM $12 3 LAD 14 ( 2 ) 5 ( 2 ) LAD 14.5 ( 3 ) 5 ( 2 ) PHI LAD LAD 12 ( 0 ) 4 ( 1 ) NYY Mark Teixeira, 1B LA Angels NYY $22.5 8 SEA 21 ( -2 ) 7 ( -1 ) BAL 21 ( -2 ) 6 ( -2 ) NYY LAA NYM 23 ( 1 ) 6 ( -2 ) LAA CC Sabathia, SP Milwaukee NYY $23 7 NYY 26 ( 3 ) 7 ( 0 ) NYY 25.5 ( 3 ) 7 ( 0 ) NYY NYY NYY 22 ( -1 ) 7 ( 0 ) LAD Adam Dunn, LF Arizona WAS $10 2 LAD 15 ( 5 ) 4 ( 2 ) WAS 13 ( 3 ) 3 ( 1 ) COL NYM WAS 14 ( 4 ) 4 ( 2 ) CLE Brad Penny, SP LA Dodgers BOS $5 1 SFG 14 ( 9 ) 4 ( 3 ) HOU 14 ( 9 ) 4 ( 3 ) BAL TOR TOR 11 ( 6 ) 4 ( 3 ) TEX Juan Cruz, RP Arizona KCR $3 2 ARI 3 ( 0 ) 3 ( 1 ) ARI 12 ( 9 ) 3 ( 1 ) TEX NYM DET 8 ( 5 ) 3 ( 1 ) NYM Orlando Hudson, 2B Arizona LAD $3.8 1 NYY 8 ( 4 ) 4 ( 3 ) NYM 10 ( 6 ) 4 ( 3 ) NYM STL FLA 8 ( 4 ) 2 ( 1 ) NYM Ben Sheets, SP Milwaukee uns $- 0 HOU 12 ( 12 ) 3 ( 3 ) CHC 14 ( 14 ) 2 ( 2 ) HOU MIL TEX 15 ( 15 ) 4 ( 4 ) PIT Luis Ayala, RP NY Mets MIN $1.3 1 NYM 3.5 ( 2 ) 1 ( 0 ) CLE 6 ( 5 ) 2 ( 1 ) STL NYM NYM 6 ( 5 ) 2 ( 1 ) NYM Milton Bradley, DH Texas CHC $10 3 TEX 9 ( -1 ) 3 ( 0 ) NYM 9 ( -1 ) 2 ( -1 ) KC BAL PHI 13 ( 3 ) 3 ( 0 ) PHI Rafael Furcal, SS LA Dodgers LAD $10 3 SFG 10 ( 0 ) 3 ( 0 ) BOS 11 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) ATL SFG SFG 12 ( 2 ) 3 ( 0 ) SFG Kerry Wood, RP Chicago Cubs CLE $10 2 SDP 6 ( -4 ) 2 ( 0 ) SDP 9.5 ( -1 ) 3 ( 1 ) NYM TEX MIL 10 ( 0 ) 3 ( 1 ) NYM Ryan Dempster, SP Chicago Cubs CHC 13 4 TOR 12 ( ) 4 ( ) MIL 13 ( ) 5 ( ) CHC LAD CHC 13 ( ) 4 ( ) CHC A.J. Burnett, SP Toronto NYY $16.5 5 SEA 15 ( -2 ) 4 ( -1 ) NYY 14 ( -3 ) 3 ( -2 ) TOR ATL TOR 16 ( -1 ) 5 ( 0 ) BOS Freddy Garcia, SP Detroit nym $- 1 WAS 3 ( 3 ) 2 ( 1 ) PHI 10 ( 10 ) 2 ( 1 ) CHW DET PHI 8 ( 8 ) 2 ( 1 ) NYM Carl Pavano, SP NY Yankees CLE $1.5 1 FLA 4 ( 3 ) 1 ( 0 ) ATL 13 ( 12 ) 1 ( 0 ) MIL HOU SDP 7 ( 6 ) 2 ( 1 ) NYY Pat Burrell, LF Philadelphia TBR $8 2 COL 16 ( 8 ) 3 ( 1 ) LAD 16 ( 8 ) 4 ( 2 ) CHC PHI ATL 14 ( 6 ) 3 ( 1 ) TBR Brian Fuentes, RP Colorado LAA $8.75 2 NYM 16 ( 7 ) 4 ( 2 ) NYM 11 ( 2 ) 4 ( 2 ) ARI NYM NYM 12 ( 3 ) 3 ( 1 ) NYM Edgar Renteria, SS Detroit SFG $9.25 2 ( -9 ) ( -2 ) LAD 8 ( -1 ) 2 ( 0 ) WAS DET CHW 10 ( 1 ) 2 ( 0 ) NYM Orlando Cabrera, SS Chicago Sox OAK $4 1 ATL 6 ( 2 ) 2 ( 1 ) DET 8.5 ( 5 ) 2 ( 1 ) DET BAL STL 9 ( 5 ) 3 ( 2 ) CHW Bobby Abreu, RF NY Yankees LAA $5 1 TAM 10 ( 5 ) 3 ( 2 ) WAS 14 ( 9 ) 4 ( 3 ) ANA KCR NYY 15 ( 10 ) 2 ( 1 ) WAS Nomar Garciaparra, SS LA Dodgers OAK $1 1 BAL 8 ( 7 ) 1 ( 0 ) TBR 6 ( 5 ) 1 ( 0 ) BOS HOU ARI 8 ( 7 ) 2 ( 1 ) BOS Bob Howry, RP Chicago Cubs SFG $2.75 1 CHC 6 ( 3 ) 2 ( 1 ) SEA 5.5 ( 3 ) 1 ( 0 ) LA CLE PIT 8 ( 5 ) 2 ( 1 ) CHC Derek Lowe, SP LA Dodgers ATL $15 4 DET 15 ( 0 ) 4 ( 0 ) NYM 11 ( -4 ) 4 ( 0 ) ANA NYM NYM 12 ( -3 ) 2 ( -2 ) BOS Casey Blake, 3B LA Dodgers LAD $6 3 LAD 8 ( 2 ) 2 ( -1 ) CLE 9 ( 3 ) 3 ( 0 ) SF MIN BAL 8 ( 2 ) 3 ( 0 ) MIN Mike Hampton, SP Atlanta HOU $2 1 WAS 6 ( 4 ) 1 ( 0 ) LAD 10 ( 8 ) 1 ( 0 ) SF BAL STL 7 ( 5 ) 2 ( 1 ) HOU Jason Varitek, C Boston BOS $5 1 BOS 10 ( 5 ) 1 ( 0 ) SEA 12 ( 7 ) 2 ( 1 ) BOS DET BOS 9 ( 4 ) 2 ( 1 ) ARI Manny Ramirez, LF LA Dodgers LAD $22.5 2 TEX 20 ( -3 ) 4 ( 2 ) LAA 21 ( -2 ) 3 ( 1 ) LA LAD LAD 22 ( -1 ) 3 ( 1 ) NYM Andy Pettitte, SP NY Yankees NYY $6 1 RET 0 ( -6 ) 0 ( -1 ) TEX 18 ( 13 ) 4 ( 3 ) NY NYY HOU 14 ( 9 ) 2 ( 1 ) NYY Raul Ibanez, LF Seattle PHI $10.5 3 PHI 10 ( -1 ) 2 ( -1 ) TEX 10 ( -1 ) 4 ( 1 ) NYM WAS NYM 10 ( -1 ) 2 ( -1 ) NYM Paul Lo Duca, C Florida uns $- 0 HOU 3.5 ( 4 ) 1 ( 1 ) SFG 4 ( 4 ) 2 ( 2 ) LA MIL BOS 7 ( 7 ) 2 ( 2 ) FLA Ivan Rodriguez, C NY Yankees HOU $1.5 1 FLA 4 ( 3 ) 1 ( 0 ) OAK 9 ( 8 ) 1 ( 0 ) MIL BOS RET 0 ( -2 ) 0 ( -1 ) NYM Pedro Martinez, SP NY Mets uns $- 0 NYM 5 ( 5 ) 1 ( 1 ) RET 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) WAS LAD BOS 11 ( 11 ) 1 ( 1 ) PIT Jason Giambi, 1B NY Yankees OAK $5.25 1 OAK 8 ( 3 ) 1 ( 0 ) OAK 9 ( 4 ) 1 ( 0 ) TEX OAK TOR 10 ( 5 ) 2 ( 1 ) OAK Darren Oliver, RP LA Angels LAA $3.66 1 SDP 4 ( 0 ) 1 ( 0 ) COL 4 ( 0 ) 2 ( 1 ) CIN PIT PHI 6 ( 2 ) 2 ( 1 ) LAA Ken Griffey Jr., RF Chicago Sox SEA $2 1 RET 0 ( -2 ) 0 ( -1 ) NYY 11 ( 9 ) 1 ( 0 ) RET SEA SEA 8 ( 6 ) 1 ( 0 ) RET Mike Mussina, SP NY Yankees RET 0 0 RET 0 ( ) 0 ( ) NYY 14 ( ) 2 ( ) ANA RET RET 0 ( ) 0 ( ) RET Russ Springer, RP St. Louis OAK $3.3 2 RET 0 ( -3 ) 0 ( -2 ) ATL 5 ( 2 ) 1 ( -1 ) NYM COL NYM 7 ( 4 ) 1 ( -1 ) HOU Trevor Hoffman, RP San Diego MIL $6 1 DET 11 ( 5 ) 1 ( 0 ) CHW 8 ( 2 ) 1 ( 0 ) SD ATL STL 10 ( 4 ) 2 ( 1 ) ARI Moises Alou, LF NY Mets uns $- 0 RET 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) RET 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) OAK RET WAS 7 ( 7 ) 1 ( 1 ) RET 6 $73M 16 6 $152M 27 5 6 5 $153M 27 6 the take away from this, aside from that the money thing and the list of players that omits frankie rodriguez made this suck, is that i know the least about the market of anybody. if i give edgy credit for ryan dempster, everybody got 6 teams correct, except for me. and i finished tied for last in terms of years given out, and just made last place for the money given out. lets do this more simply and more better next year. ugh!

Rodriguez 2.7 Santana 2.2 Green 1.7 Murphy 1.3 Putz 1.3 Church 0.8

i like when this thread is used to help use gameday watchers identify drink-worthy defensive plays. thanks!

Arizona- 86.5 - over Atlanta- 83.5 - over Baltimore- 73.5 - under Boston- 94.5 - over Chicago C- 91.5 - over Chicago W- 79.5 - under Cincinnati- 80.5 - under Cleveland- 85.5 - under Colorado- 77.5 - over Detroit- 82.5 - under Florida- 76.5 - over Houston- 74.5 - under Kansas City- 75.5 - over LA Angels- 89.5 - under LA Dodgers- 82.5 - over Milwaukee- 80.5 - over Minnesota- 83.5 - over NY Mets- 88.5 - over NY Yankees- 97.5 - over Oakland- 81.5 - under Philadelphia- 87.5 - under Pittsburgh- 69.5 - over San Diego- 71.5 - under San Francisco- 80.5 - under Seattle- 72.5 - under St. Louis- 82.5 - over Tampa Bay- 87.5 - over Texas- 73.5 - over Toronto- 80.5 - under Washington- 71.5 - under

NL East: - mets NL Central: -cubs NL West: - diamondbacks NL wild card: - phillies AL East: - yankees AL Central: -twins AL West: - angels AL wild card: - rays League finals: NL: - mets def. phillies AL: - rays def. yankees World Series: mets def. rays NL MVP: - david wright NL Cy Young: - johan santana AL MVP: - evan longoria AL Cy Young: - cc sabathia Mets win total: - 95

hope i'm not too late... i've passed on any of the ones that are already known... 1. First hit - PASS 2. First double - Beltran 3. First triple - Reyes 4. First home run - Wright 5. First stolen base - PASS 6. First baserunner caught stealing/picked off - Murphy 7. First guy to hit into a double-play - Delgado 8. First batter to strike out - PASS 9. First fielder to commit an error - Murphy 10. First guy to score a run - Reyes 11. First guy to drive in a run - Murphy 12. First Met player to field a batted ball in fair territory - PASS 13. First Met to draw a walk - PASS 14. First Met relief pitcher to make an appearance - Putz 15. First Met to reach base on an error - Castillo 16. First winning Met pitcher - Santana 17. First Met pitcher to be relieved in the middle of an inning - Feliciano 18. First Met to to plunk an opposing batter - Santana 19. First Met to be hit by a pitch - Murphy 20. First Met pinch-hitter - Tatis

1) Reyes: Stolen bases 62 2) Castillo: Games played 146 3) Delgado: RBIs 101 4) Wright: Rank in MVP voting 1 5) Murphy: Doubles 39 6) Beltran: Home Runs 32 7) Church: Games started 130 8) Schneider: Extra base hits 30 9) Sheffield: Home runs 11 10) Anderson: Plate appearances 87 11) Reed: Batting average 0.268 12) Cora: doubles 5 13) Castro: Home runs 13 14) Tatis: Games started 30 15) Santana: ERA 2.67 16) Pelfrey: Wins 17 17) Ollie: Strikeouts 165 18) Maine: Games started 31 19) L. Hernandez: Innings pitched 172 20) F Rodriguez: Saves 41 21) Putz: ERA 3.02 22) Parnell: K/9 10.72 23) Stokes: Wins 6 24) Green: Appearances 65 25) Feliciano BAA -Lefties 0.209 26) O'Day: Appearances 59

do we have any naming concerns this year?

yeah, i always used to like how when i had upper deck seats at shea, i could always come down to the field level any time i wanted and just mill around down there. oh, wait...

="Edgy DC":3so2bhzo]Looks like they went seriously overboard with the wall height changes.[/quote:3so2bhzo] the one too many is the little bit in straight away center feild that jumps back to 16' or so at the base of the apple. i mean, jeez, its hard enough to hit it there already! soupcan Apr 05 2009 07:14 PM We went on Saturday. The place is really great. It is definitely a bit disconcerting to see the Mets in their home whites in a completely different ballpark. Realizing that this new place with the high outfield fences, enclosed centerfield and green seats is the new home is odd. The food as has been said is so much better than I'm used to having while watching a Mets game. Shake Shack burgers are 2 die 4. There is a place sort of near us in Bethel. CT called The Sycamore which has burgers very similar. I try to get to there a few times a year simply for their 'Dagwood'. No need to do that anymore since I'll be getting my burger fix at good ole City Field (see what I did there?). The game was sold out but there were empty seats everywhere because everyone was walking around checkin' out the new digs. Made it hard to walk around even with the wide concourses. I'm guessing it will be about mid-season before that calms down. The only criticisms I had is that concourse celings are low and they could be lit better. Other than that, its really, really nice. I agree that the outfield walls are high but I think eventually we will all get used to it and adopt the mantra that The City is indeed a pitcher-friendly park and take some pride in that. Edgy DC Apr 05 2009 07:59 PM ="soupcan"] That restaurant makes me feel hostile. I guess I just have to tell myself that those swells are paying for Wright's next extension. But man. soupcan Apr 06 2009 06:30 AM ="Edgy DC"]That restaurant makes me feel hostile. I guess I just have to tell myself that those swells are paying for Wright's next extension. But man. Not just a 'restaurant' it's a 'club'. The Acela Club. And if that doesn't tighten your colon even more - its an exclusive club, open only to holders of tickets in certain areas of the park. As a matter of fact that's another thing about the park that I didn't particularly care for - there are several 'clubs' within the place that cater to only ticketholders of certain sections. Granted - Everyone who has a tcket has a club that will accomodate them (I think) - whether it be on the field level or the Promenade (upper deck) level, but still. Walking by the club entrances and knowing that you are not allowed access to that particular one is a bit of a downer. And I don't know this for sure but I'd guess that the Promenade level club somehow isn't as nice as the the field-level (Ebbets Club maybe?) club. metsmarathon Apr 06 2009 07:07 AM yeah, i always used to like how when i had upper deck seats at shea, i could always come down to the field level any time i wanted and just mill around down there. oh, wait... soupcan Apr 06 2009 07:38 AM No, that's nice that you can do that - and I know that the Diamond Club was only open to ceratin ticketholders as well. My point was more that its more obvious that certain ticketholdres aren't permitted in certain places is all. At least it was more obvious to me. metirish Apr 06 2009 07:44 AM When Burkhardt was in The Acela Club I think Saturday he mentioned that you needed reservations to get in. soupcan Apr 06 2009 08:01 AM ="metirish":10v2x56u]When Burkhardt was in The Acela Club I think Saturday he mentioned that you needed reservations to get in.[/quote:10v2x56u] But even if you have reservations, your ticket has to say 'Admit One To Acela Club' John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 06 2009 08:06 AM Hey Soup, I talked to the restaurateur who is opening the place and came away with the impression that although policy errs on the safe side especially at launching time, if you asked the right people nicely they'd probably accommodate you. soupcan Apr 06 2009 08:08 AM Well then - there you go. seawolf17 Apr 06 2009 08:18 AM We were there for the workout yesterday. I enjoyed it; I think I'm over Shea. Two negatives, I thought -- the navigation was difficult (although I'm sure that'll go away once I'm familiar with the place), and it was way, way too fucking loud. Seemed like everything and everyone was on full volume. Maybe that'll be better in game situations, where the music isn't going to be blasting the whole time, but it was a major turnoff yesterday. It took me a full hour to relax and enjoy myself, because I spent so much time shouting to Ms. Wolf and MiniWolf to be heard. A few photeaux. First, MiniWolf mourns the loss of Shea: Taking his cuts at Kiddie Field: Playing the outfield, like his dad. Notice his dad in centerfield, talking with a couple of other Poolers who were on the scene: metirish Apr 06 2009 08:20 AM ="soupcan":e6xl82n7]="metirish":e6xl82n7]When Burkhardt was in The Acela Club I think Saturday he mentioned that you needed reservations to get in.[/quote:e6xl82n7] But even if you have reservations, your ticket has to say 'Admit One To Acela Club'[/quote:e6xl82n7] I suppose if I called to make a reservation they would ask if I had the ticket, but in any time especially these tough times that doesn't seem like a smart business plan for the owner of the restaurant. soupcan Apr 06 2009 08:21 AM Damn that kid grew up fast. I totally agree about the noise, although the sound system is MUCH better than it was at Shea. Edgy DC Apr 06 2009 08:25 AM Edited 3 time(s), most recently on Apr 06 2009 08:26 AM wolf: So I had this great house until the neighbors put in this damn whiffleball monstrosity. And now soupcan says... KC: Yeah, blahblahblah. Get off the field. There's a game goin' on. HahnSolo Apr 06 2009 08:25 AM One thing I don't "get" from the place is the bridge motif. I can't understand why it was so important to do it. I tried to explain it to my wife and she was like, "I totally don't see NYC bridges." Seawolf, how does the wiffle ball thing work? Is it free? A wait your turn thing? My son is already angling to hit that first when we go next week. Edgy DC Apr 06 2009 08:28 AM It would make more sense if it was a suspension bridge. batmagadanleadoff Apr 06 2009 08:31 AM To those who already went to Citi Field for any of the exhibition games, what were the views like from your seats? Is it really true that every seat is a good one? seawolf17 Apr 06 2009 08:38 AM ="batmagadanleadoff":1tq93prv]To those who already went to Citi Field for any of the exhibition games, what were the views like from your seats? Is it really true that every seat is a good one?[/quote:1tq93prv] We only really "sat" for any length of time in the 330s, out in left field, second tier up, just to the home-plate side of the glass-windowed restaurant. I thought the view was great, but you completely lose the left-field corner, right under you. Didn't bother me too much, because there were plenty of places at Shea where you'd lose a corner also. ="HahnSolo":1tq93prv]One thing I don't "get" from the place is the bridge motif. I can't understand why it was so important to do it. I tried to explain it to my wife and she was like, "I totally don't see NYC bridges." Seawolf, how does the wiffle ball thing work? Is it free? A wait your turn thing? My son is already angling to hit that first when we go next week.[/quote:1tq93prv] I agree on the bridge thing. I think if you're going to go bridge, you have to go Brooklyn Bridge, or a suspension bridge -- something that's really distinct. Or, say, the BRIDGE THAT'S IN THE TEAM'S LOGO. Call me crazy, but doing the logo bridge in right-center field would have kicked ass. The wiffle ball thing is free, but the line was monstrous yesterday. I don't put too much credence into yesterday's lines, because the majority of folks were on the concourse, not at their seats. Probably better during a regular game, I'd think. For yesterday, the line snaked around Kiddie Field, and when you got up there, you (the kid) went into left field, then center, then right, then you got your AB, and you got anywhere between three and six swings, depending on if you were a toddler who was just up there hacking (six) or a teenager who was really to big for it (three), then you got to run the bases. So you got four "at-bats" in total to run around. MiniWolf was beyond thrilled. soupcan Apr 06 2009 08:47 AM ="HahnSolo":9zu9g7v4]One thing I don't "get" from the place is the bridge motif. I can't understand why it was so important to do it. I tried to explain it to my wife and she was like, "I totally don't see NYC bridges." [/quote:9zu9g7v4] The boroughs are all connected by bridges. Its not a stretch. ="Edgy DC":9zu9g7v4]It would make more sense if it was a suspension bridge.[/quote:9zu9g7v4] Agreed. metirish Apr 06 2009 09:07 AM I have a silly question. Are these restaurants open on off days and days the Mets are on the road? themetfairy Apr 06 2009 10:05 AM batmag - I was in the Promenade, and the view from my seat was nice. Analogous to my old Mezz seats, I think. I'll know for sure once the season starts and I'm actually focusing on a game or two. Agreed about the noise level, especially when Chris Carlin was yelling into the mike. I never thought much of him before, but after yesterday I hat him. SteveJRogers Apr 06 2009 10:24 AM ="soupcan":3ko0a4i5]Granted - Everyone who has a tcket has a club that will accomodate them (I think) - whether it be on the field level or the Promenade (upper deck) level, but still. Walking by the club entrances and knowing that you are not allowed access to that particular one is a bit of a downer. And I don't know this for sure but I'd guess that the Promenade level club somehow isn't as nice as the the field-level (Ebbets Club maybe?) club.[/quote:3ko0a4i5] Actually, you have to pay a bit extra for the club pass. Don't know how much more, but from what I gathered, it was substantial. Gwreck Apr 07 2009 09:24 AM The access to the various clubs is based on your seats. If you're seated in the "Promenade Club" seats, you get access to the Promenade Club. If you're in the "Ebbets Club" seats, you get access to the Ebbets Club. If you're in the "Delta Club" seats, you get access to the Delta Club. If you're in the "Caesar's Club" seats, you get access to the Caesar's Club. The restaurant in left field, the "Acela Club," is open to Metropolitan Box, Field Box, Ebbets Club Gold, and Delta Club Platinum and Gold ticket holders. holychicken Apr 07 2009 09:30 AM ="batmagadanleadoff":357bumo9]To those who already went to Citi Field for any of the exhibition games, what were the views like from your seats? Is it really true that every seat is a good one?[/quote:357bumo9] My experience is that all the seats I saw (and I went around to most parts of the stadium) felt very close to the infield and had a good view of the infield. However, the draw back to this is a lot of the seats outside the infield lose a bit of a corner of the outfield AND if you are in a covered seat, you lose views upward. Like sitting in the Mezz in Shea, you really only can see where a pop fly is going by watching the fielders. But, overall, the view of the field is MUCH better, especially for the type of seats I buy. Farmer Ted Apr 07 2009 10:27 AM There's an Acela Club? As in the amtrak train? Let me get this straight. Bankrupt bank has naming rights the stadium and a money-bleeding rail line sponsors the A-list dining area? LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 07 2009 02:04 PM ="Farmer Ted":1wt09uid]There's an Acela Club? As in the amtrak train? Let me get this straight. Bankrupt bank has naming rights the stadium and a money-bleeding rail line sponsors the A-list dining area?[/quote:1wt09uid] That's nothing... wait until you hear who's sponsoring the "Fair and Balanced" no-flush urinals. themetfairy Apr 07 2009 05:46 PM We stopped by today en route to Long Island. D-Dad checked out tailgating spots, and we all visited our brick. Kong76 Apr 07 2009 06:24 PM I've been hesitant to whine here about it, but my front row promenade seats kinda suck. The railing sucks and the staircase with glass around it that is right in the same place as home plate sucks. It will suck even more when there are people on it all game. I called to try and move and the only thing they'd give me was like the next to last section of the outfield in row 13 and was reminded that upgrading year after year from there would be harder than from my crappy seats prolly. It's only a Sunday plan, and I can shift around and carpetbag, and watch from other areas, and the tickets aren't all that expensive ... but I feel gypped especially since on a whole the rest of the place is just so damn nice. seawolf17 Apr 07 2009 06:31 PM Hey, nothing wrong with bitching about it. Ultimately, though, you're probably screwed, because if you want to give up those seats, there are probably plenty of folks who would take them from you next year. The Mets -- and the Yankees -- knew they had us all over a barrel with these stadia; if we wanted to get in, we'd have to pay the price. I hate to say that Mike Francesa is right, but in this case, he is; the only recourse we have is with our wallets. If we think ticket prices are too high, or the views suck... then we don't buy the tickets. (They've priced me out, and that's fine; maybe we go to a game, but more likely we don't.) Kong76 Apr 07 2009 07:00 PM I'm more hesitant to whine about it more because I posted how excited I was to be in row one. I sat in row six with a poster in the same section and those seats are fine. They weren't the best available when I got mine days before they could log on and renew their Sunday plan if theirs are better. Who's Mike Francessa, where does he post? As for high ticket prices, my tickets are much cheaper this year than last and location is fine ... if I wasn't in row one. MFS62 Apr 07 2009 07:12 PM ="Kong76":3ru6ijum]I'm more hesitant to whine about it more because I posted how excited I was to be in row one. I sat in row six with a poster in the same section and those seats are fine. They weren't the best available when I got mine days before they could log on and renew their Sunday plan if theirs are better. Who's Mike Francessa, where does he post? As for high ticket prices, my tickets are much cheaper this year than last and location is fine ... if I wasn't in row one.[/quote:3ru6ijum] Well, if he had them, I'm sure Bob Uecker would exchange yours for his in the very last row. Later Rockin' Doc Apr 07 2009 07:39 PM KC, thanks for the excuse to post a classic beer commercial. MFS62, thanks for the perfect lead in. MFS62 Apr 07 2009 07:55 PM Doc, All I see is a big white rectangle. Later themetfairy Apr 07 2009 07:58 PM I see the Uecker ad, Doc. I just showed it to MK - he had never seen it before. Thanks. Rockin' Doc Apr 08 2009 05:23 AM MFS62 -"Doc, All I see is a big white rectangle." You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard that line before. Kong76 Apr 08 2009 05:38 AM Close your eyes and walk slowly towards the white rectangle.

i took some pictures of my own at citi... a beautiful day for a ball game. fans walking on the fanwalk. my sneakers look filthy! the new apple is big and shiny. it might not get much use this year... i'm probably too old to play here. i need to get me some kids... the retired numbers lets play ball! i love this crazy nook thing. i can't wait to see jose rattle a few balls around in there. this bridge is cool too. here it is during the rain delay. this shot, of the scoreboard, is one of my favoriter pictures that i took that day. the wait at the catch of the day was worth it for the shrimp po'boy. yum! frankie enters the game

well, lets hope that sheffoid's newfound attitude continues throughout the season

="Rockin' Doc":e79xtpbg]I voted indifferent. I like it if Sheffield is coming in as a pinchitting, power bat and an occasional starter against left handers. I don't like it much if he is being handed a starting spot based on past performance. I worry that his defense will be a major liability in the outfield.[/quote:e79xtpbg] what he said. verbatim, but with less capitalization. holychicken Apr 04 2009 04:32 PM Indifferent. He is traditional total douche and had an absolutely terrible year last year and was SO bad (in some way) that the tigers ate 14 mil just to get rid of him. That scares me. On the other hand, mets got him for cheap and he has the potential to fill a potentially big hole for the Mets offensive lineup. So if he accepts his place and performs better than he did last year, it could be a very good move. I suspect, however, that the Mets are going to be eating 440k. batmagadanleadoff Apr 04 2009 04:49 PM I voted other (for now), because I don't know how the Mets intend to use him. I'll really have a good feel for this acquisition by Halloween, when I'll know what Sheffield did for the Mets in 2009. SteveJRogers Apr 04 2009 04:56 PM While it means jack squat, it would be kind of nice to see someone trotting around the bases in a Met uni when montages of 500th homers is shown. Well, for the novelty of it all, I HOPE the Mets resist the urge of doing the honoring! But then again, they did have an honoring ceremony for Eddie Murray's 400th. OlerudOwned Apr 04 2009 05:16 PM Indifferent. I'm deferring. If he's good and plays to a role without causing trouble, I'll like it. If he sucks and the team keeps him around too long, I won't. Edgy DC Apr 04 2009 05:25 PM ="A Boy Named Seo":15qb50tx]="Edgy DC":15qb50tx]I voted hate. It's really more dislike. He's cheap enough for the Mets to control the situation, and they sent nobody off for him.[/quote:15qb50tx] Your explanation almost sounded like a like.[/quote:15qb50tx] No, that's a qualifier that takes it up from hate, rather than from neutral. I didn't bother piling on the reasons I dislike him. I think they're pretty clear. metirish Apr 04 2009 07:23 PM ] "I realize I'm at a point in my career where I realize I'm not the marquee guy to come in here and demand anything - demand a position or anything," said Sheffield, 40. "Now I'm so much at peace with where I'm at. Coming in here, I want to win a championship. If it takes me coming off the bench to do that, I'm willing to do that. That's pretty much as far as it goes We'll see Gary , we'll see. Wright helped recruit him....as did Uncle Dwight ]" Jimmy Rollins is probably one of my biggest friends in baseball, and that was tough for me," Sheffield said. "Talking to [Reds manager] Dusty Baker was tough. That was one of the biggest reasons why I made the decision, when you have the face of the franchise making a phone call to you. That was very important to me." "He's ecstatic," Sheffield said. "He was pushing me off the couch. I was content to be with my wife and my kids and they were all yelling at me, 'You still have something left. Just go out and show the world that you got it.' [Gooden] has been blowing my phone up all day today, too. He's just glad I made the move and we're making history at the same time." Wright sent a text to Gary... Edgy DC Apr 04 2009 07:53 PM I'd rather have Dwight. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 04 2009 11:40 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":12ezian2]I voted other (for now), because I don't know how the Mets intend to use him. I'll really have a good feel for this acquisition by Halloween, when I'll know what Sheffield did for the Mets in 2009.[/quote:12ezian2] Ditto. Although I think we'll know a bit sooner-- say, 2 months in-- whether Shef's 2008 was born more of injury or time's toll... and whether he's more of an offensive force on-field or off. Scuttlebutt's that he has a clear shot at the RF start gig, though, no? batmagadanleadoff Apr 05 2009 12:16 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":22nobi4x]="batmagadanleadoff":22nobi4x]I voted other (for now), because I don't know how the Mets intend to use him. I'll really have a good feel for this acquisition by Halloween, when I'll know what Sheffield did for the Mets in 2009.[/quote:22nobi4x] Ditto. Although I think we'll know a bit sooner-- say, 2 months in-- whether Shef's 2008 was born more of injury or time's toll... and whether he's more of an offensive force on-field or off. Scuttlebutt's that he has a clear shot at the RF start gig, though, no?[/quote:22nobi4x] Yeah. It's not as if the Mets had to give up a young Nolan Ryan or Amos Otis to get Sheff. And if Marlon is the odd man out, he's expendable and replaceable. After that, it's a meritocracy as to who gets the playing time, for the most part. But even if it does turn out that Sheff's recent diminished effectiveness was mainly due to injuries, that doesn't mean that age, inevitable age, won't catch up with Sheff this year. OlerudOwned Apr 05 2009 12:21 AM Maybe I'm drinking the Mets.com flavor-aid, but I was really impressed with some of Sheffield's post-signing comments. He just sounds like he's reached a place of satisfaction, in terms of his career, where he'll go out there and not make trouble and play the best he can, and if it doesn't work, he'll have no qualms letting go. batmagadanleadoff Apr 05 2009 12:34 AM ="OlerudOwned":2bdu0hz3]Maybe I'm drinking the Mets.com flavor-aid, but I was really impressed with some of Sheffield's post-signing comments. He just sounds like he's reached a place of satisfaction, in terms of his career, where he'll go out there and not make trouble and play the best he can, and if it doesn't work, he'll have no qualms letting go.[/quote:2bdu0hz3] Fourteen Million dollars worth of guaranteed money to a 40 year old baseball player will do that. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 12:57 AM Having seen RF up close today... like rocking a rhyme that's right on time, it will indeed be tricky. I may have to start averting my eyes on flyballs to right all over again. bmfc1 Apr 05 2009 06:23 AM Sheffield was a big part of [u:1apxtlie]Game of Shadows[/u:1apxtlie] (if you get my drift) and he's been a jerk for a long time so I don't know why that will change (the Mets uni doesn't have transformation powers like the MFY uniform) but... he's here so I'm looking at it this way (if this happens): who would I rather have on the bench, Sheffield or Marlon Anderson? That's an easy one. smg58 Apr 05 2009 06:59 AM Aside from how I feel about him personally, I get the feeling that if he were actually a better player right now than either Nick Evans or Bobby Kielty, the Tigers wouldn't be paying him $14M to play for us. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 10:34 AM ="smg58"]Aside from how I feel about him personally, I get the feeling that if he were actually a better player right now than either Nick Evans or Bobby Kielty, the Tigers wouldn't be paying him $14M to play for us. It's a little bit less to do with ability, methinks... and more to do with the franchise's situation. The Tigers are loaded with contracts like his-- Bonderman for 4/38, Guillen for 4/48, Willis (signed after a down year) for 3/29, and Nate F-ing Robertson for 3/21-- mostly taken on in 2006's afterglow. Basically, they've got our payroll-- with, like, 7 Castillo contracts, no less-- without the income streams (no new stadium, much less recession-proof fanbase spending, no SNY). They need to shed payroll-- since Shef's more or less redundant, and blocking the development of younger, cheaper guys for what will likely be a mediocre club at best (and since he has little off-field value to the franchise), he's a painful first step in that direction (even if they're actually eating his sunk cost). But Sheffield's just the first. If Detroit's economy doesn't do a sudden, magical 180 this summer, it won't matter if the Tigers perform this year. MFS62 Apr 05 2009 11:13 AM I think this shirt says it all. http://www.metsrant.com/shirts.html Later RealityChuck Apr 05 2009 11:20 AM It's a reasonable gamble. He could add RH power, or he could just flop. But if the latter, the team can just cut him. (I think that will help ensure Sheffield works hard -- he could be fired at any time). cooby Apr 05 2009 03:03 PM For the first time in a good 10 or 12 years (since Rey-O) the Mets have a player I am totally hot for. Love it. A Boy Named Seo Apr 05 2009 03:05 PM Ooo-wee! You go, girl! cooby Apr 05 2009 03:07 PM lol... Really, maybe I'll even watch some games this year, just to see him MFS62 Apr 05 2009 03:58 PM ="cooby":15d810r7]For the first time in a good 10 or 12 years (since Rey-O) the Mets have a player I am totally hot for. [/quote:15d810r7] Cooby, I guess there is no greater compliment you can give to a player. Later Benjamin Grimm Apr 05 2009 04:02 PM Wait... what about Todd Zeile? Don't I remember you calling him TILF? OlerudOwned Apr 05 2009 04:06 PM Weird to think we'll have a guy who came up wearing powder blue ball-in-glove era Brewers pullovers. Weird to think of Sheff as a shortstop, too. Rickie Weeks could really be his reincarnation, right down to the active hands in their batting stances. cooby Apr 05 2009 05:07 PM ="Benjamin Grimm"]Wait... what about Todd Zeile? Don't I remember you calling him TILF? No, not so much zeal for Zeile for TILF. Rey or Carlos, remember!? ]Cooby, I guess there is no greater compliment you can give to a player. Yep, I pity you poor males, only watching for their playing abilities.... LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 05:32 PM Really, Cooby... REALLY? cooby Apr 05 2009 07:04 PM Well maybe not his 18 year old greasy self (though he did have lucious lips, no?) I don't think I spelled that right. Doc sure looks mean as hell there doesn't he? Edgy DC Apr 05 2009 07:52 PM Is that their court appearance for beating up the cop? Fman99 Apr 05 2009 07:59 PM ="Edgy DC":2pwmw3xs]Is that their court appearance for beating up the cop?[/quote:2pwmw3xs] Just let your Soul-Glo! LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 08:12 PM ="Edgy DC":w001b2um]Is that their court appearance for beating up the cop?[/quote:w001b2um] I do believe t'is so. Off-topic: I love mid-80s pictures of stylish sports dudes. Between feathered hair and the Jheri-Curl, even tough guys have their edges softened (and sprayed wet/teased). A Boy Named Seo Apr 05 2009 08:13 PM You down wit' OPP? Yeah, you know me! metsguyinmichigan Apr 05 2009 11:37 PM Looks like Nick Evans, and not Marlon, is the casualty of the Sheffield signing. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 11:40 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":11zmbped]Looks like Nick Evans, and not Marlon, is the casualty of the Sheffield signing.[/quote:11zmbped] For now, yes. In a week, Marlon's likely gone, too (to make room for Livan). John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 06 2009 04:43 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2tp9i25a] If Detroit's economy doesn't do a sudden, magical 180 this summer, it won't matter if the Tigers perform this year.[/quote:2tp9i25a] I don't think Detroit's economy is ever going to recover. How could it? duan Apr 06 2009 09:18 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2dql048w]="metsguyinmichigan":2dql048w]Looks like Nick Evans, and not Marlon, is the casualty of the Sheffield signing.[/quote:2dql048w] For now, yes. In a week, Marlon's likely gone, too (to make room for Livan).[/quote:2dql048w] and therein's the point - that's all that he's taking a roster space from and I'd be very, very, very, surprised if he's not quite a bit more productive. Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2009 09:50 AM I've been reading that it's Darren O'Day who's in jeopardy, not Anderson. And I'm less pleased about that, since if O'Day gets sent down the organization could lose him. And if he was good enough to make the team, I'd hate to see him casually discarded. gerrard00 Apr 06 2009 10:07 AM I voted "don't like it", because I don't want anything to prevent Church from getting a fair shot to shine. At least Willie isn't the one divvying out playing time or Sheff would wind up the every day right fielder. duan Apr 06 2009 10:18 AM i'm game for only having 11 pitchers. totally game. TransMonk Apr 06 2009 10:38 AM I like it. Cheap, proven and seems to know his role (for now). I was gone for the weekend and saw the signing on a TV crawl yesterday. I originally groaned, but with him getting the league minimum, why not? As far as dividing the playing time, I say the more options the better. Jerry seems to know how to play the hot hand. SteveJRogers Apr 17 2009 08:21 PM ="SteveJRogers":2xbk0gxs]While it means jack squat, it would be kind of nice to see someone trotting around the bases in a Met uni when montages of 500th homers is shown. [/quote:2xbk0gxs] But did it HAVE to be in the black uni? UGH! willpie Apr 18 2009 08:59 AM Didn't think I was going to like Sheff that quickly. #500 was pretty clutch, though, and a cooler moment than I was expecting. Ashie62 Apr 18 2009 02:54 PM Sheff seems to have mellowed..Seems like he can add a certain fear factor to opponents that was missing in 07-08 Elster88 Apr 19 2009 10:38 AM ="SteveJRogers":hu4dho3l]="SteveJRogers":hu4dho3l]While it means jack squat, it would be kind of nice to see someone trotting around the bases in a Met uni when montages of 500th homers is shown. [/quote:hu4dho3l] But did it HAVE to be in the black uni? UGH![/quote:hu4dho3l] Stop pandering. Elster88 Apr 19 2009 10:38 AM ="willpie":1i8rx6oj]Didn't think I was going to like Sheff that quickly. #500 was pretty clutch, though, and a cooler moment than I was expecting.[/quote:1i8rx6oj] Agree! Elster88 Apr 19 2009 10:39 AM ="Ashie62":16p1k8iu]Sheff seems to have mellowed..Seems like he can add a certain fear factor to opponents that was missing in 07-08[/quote:16p1k8iu] Agree on both counts. I just don't think I want him starting over Church when Church is OPSing over a thousand. That's on Jerry. Gwreck Apr 20 2009 11:59 AM ="Elster88":35zbx1nh]Stop pandering.[/quote:35zbx1nh] It's not pandering. The Mets desperately need to get rid of those uniforms.

i'm just gonna call him sheffoid for a while, until i start feeling better about this whole thing. and i'll start feeling better about this whole thing if i see ryan church and danny murphy in my starting corner outfielders. i'll even accept a fernando tatis. but so help me god, if sheffoid is our starting right (or left) fielder on opening day, my feeeeeelings are gonna be hurt.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: First Citi Quirk as Castillo trips over a wall chasing a fair ball. they're gonna need to put some padding inside the stands there. somebody's gonna get killed flying over that low railing into a nearby concrete wall. how's beltran after breaking up the double play?

ohmigod. ohmigod. ohmigod. ohmigod. ohmigod. best stadium ever. they have kona brewing company in the beergarden! ohmigod. ohmigod. ohmigod. ohmigod. sorry. i've been lusting... um, otherwise, the rest of the place is really nice. long motherf----ing ass lines at the catch of the day not withstanding. it felt like there were some kinks still needing ironing out in the food service department, as the lines were kinda long in the 3rd inning. but by the 4th or 5th, they seemed really short. prolly everybody wanted to be sure they got to their seats, saw the first pitch, first few innings, and then realized they were hungry and wanted to explore. everybody all seemed to have the same idea at the same time, i guess. i friggin loved the stadium overall. my only quibble is that while in line for the Catch of the Day (love that the lobster is wearing a mitt!), the nearest tv screens were pretty far away, above the seats in the modells cove. they had speakers, iirc, carrying sny, but they really could've had a screen up there to allow us to follow the game. 'specially since the line lasted a whole inning! but it was worth if for the shimp po' boy. thye horsradish-mustard sauce on that was superb, and really cleared out my sinuses. can't wait to get back there. and have more longboard lagers. so good.

lets hope the weather holds off for tonight to be a good day to watch the first mets appearance in citifield. section 102, row 5. look for the guy who looks nothing like tom glavine...