soupcan

Nymr83 wrote: you should without a doubt see Batman Begins before this one. The two of them are unrelated to any previous Batman movies, just as Casino Royale was a sort of "restart" for the James Bond movies Speaking of which - I saw a preview for the new 007 movie a few weeks back. 'Quantam of Solace' whatever the fuck that means. You know there won't be any female character named Pussy Galore or Octopussy or Holly Goodhead or Plenty O'Toole or... December 2008 I think it said.

There's a spellcheck here?

I still want to know why they are wearing 1976 caps in 1979. Pirates, fine but the rest are odd. Astro cap is normal, Cardinals caps are normal, Dodgers are normal unless the cap in the back row to the left of Stearns is a Dodger cap. The Phils are normal except for Tug. Braves and Cubs are normal. It's like some guys forgot to pack their hats and the only Japanese sporting goods store around only had the bicentennial ones.

If its '79 why are they wearing the pillboxes? Those are definitely 1976.

Rockin' Doc wrote: Moral victories are nice, but I'd rather have the actual win in the standings. Of course. I'm just trying to be able to get to sleep tonight...

As bad as it was it was an aberration. The Mets had that team beat. Blanton showed them nothing, Santana came up big, Delgado was clutch. The bullpen and infield defense just collapsed. A loss is a loss but the Mets beat themselves tonight. The Phillies were not the better team on the field. So the Mets are one game out, big whoop. Its a 3 game set. They'll get 'em tomorrow.

In a related story - 'Fuck You' shirts remain acceptable Yankee fanwear.

="Gwreck":1ia2mhw0]Also, for what it's worth, the Mets ticket office today told me that those Citi Field prices are the "average" price per seat over an 81 game season and that they will be continuing the Gold/Silver/Bronze etc. game pricing structure they've used over the past 5-6 years.[/quote:1ia2mhw0] That's not my understanding for the Metropolitan Silver seats. $175.00 per seat, per game. Parking is additional at $13.00 per game. Gwreck Jul 22 2008 01:59 PM Thanks for the clarification Soupcan. I'm not exactly surprised that the rep answering the phone in the Mets ticket office wasn't able to provide correct information. Gwreck Jul 25 2008 03:00 PM A Crain's New York Business article (link here[/url:11uo72hs]) suggests the following new information re: ticket pricing: 1. That more than 50% of the ballpark will be available for $50 or less. 2. There will indeed be different prices for different games. Allegedly the "value" price for promenade reserved seats will be $12. 3. That the Promenade Club seats will be $60. 4. That fans will still be allowed to bring their own food into the park. --- I have also heard rumblings that promenade reserved seats will be "regularly" priced at $25 but that's purely third hand information right now, and I am dubious. Do we have any other season ticket holders out there besides Soupcan? I know we have at least another few partial-plan holders -- we're all still getting the shaft as of now. themetfairy Jul 25 2008 03:02 PM We have a Sunday plan this year. We're planning on renewing next year, figuring that for the first year in the new park we'll be able to sell off any games that we don't want to attend. After that, we'll play it by ear. Gwreck Jul 25 2008 03:08 PM You may be planning on renewing, but don't be so sure that the Mets are planning on offering you the ability to renew. themetfairy Jul 25 2008 03:11 PM They keep saying that season ticketholders will have priority at Citi Field. So I'm assuming that they'll allow us to beg them to take our money when the time comes. Kong76 Jul 25 2008 03:17 PM I wouldn't plan on having no four-seat Sunday plan, tmf. It's season ticket holders not insert day here ticket holders. I imagine if they have "day" packages they'll be few, and based on seniority. Benjamin Grimm Jul 25 2008 03:20 PM Yeah, I'm pretty sure Scarlett will get the chance to renew. The Mets have been pushing partial ticket plans for the last couple of years, and the carrots they've been dangling are post-season options and Citi Field seats. During the past winter I even got two phone calls from the Mets trying to get me to sign on for a partial plan. (Based on my attendance at a couple of games at Shea the previous year.) If I lived closer to Queens I'd do it. But from where I am, a trip to Shea makes for a very long day. At most I'd do it two or three times in a season. And frankly, a big part of the reason I make the effort anymore is for the nostalgia, for my childhood connection to Shea Stadium. I'm not sure how motivated I'll be to go to Citi Field. Gwreck Jul 25 2008 03:21 PM ="Benjamin Grimm"]Yeah, I'm pretty sure Scarlett will get the chance to renew. The Mets have been pushing partial ticket plans for the last couple of years, and the carrots they've been dangling are post-season options and Citi Field seats. Ben Grimm, I think you misunderstand. The Mets have only offered Citi Field priority to those who have full season tickets. They will not even promise that they will have any sort of partial-season plan available next year. What KC said would be logical....but given that we've heard zippo from the Mets ticket office, other than "you must upgrade to a full-season," who really knows? My thought has always been that they can only realistically sell plans based on what they would have available for postseason tickets. Hence, they won't be able to sell 13-game plans and the offer all of those people tickets to the postseason, because they'll have 15,000 fewer seats available for those postseason games. What I would like to see them offer is a half-season or quarter-season plan rather than the 5 or 6 different plans they have now. Again, however, the silence is deafening from the ticket office on these issues. themetfairy Jul 25 2008 03:28 PM Obviously time will tell. But I'm going with BG's carrot theory. They like the money up front before the season starts, and they want as many sold out games in their first season as possible, so they're going to try to get as many of the season ticketholders to re-up, one way or another, as possible. My guess is that I'll be given the opportunity to purchase four seats. The question is at what price point. Kong76 Jul 25 2008 03:28 PM I didn't even plan on getting my one seat Sunday ticket next year. If I do I'll be happier than a pig eating a pile of corn on the cobs in mud. I think they'll milk every last full season opportunity until the bitter end. G-Fafif Jul 25 2008 03:29 PM The amazin' Loge 13[/url:3hw8xkyg] was founded by a guy in the same M,W,Th plan since the mid-'80s and he regularly reports getting no Citi Field priority or love. Gwreck Jul 25 2008 03:30 PM ="KC":zli9gdoa]I think they'll milk every last full season opportunity until the bitter end.[/quote:zli9gdoa] Agreed. Gwreck Jul 25 2008 03:32 PM ="G-Fafif":1v2gsw3b]The amazin' Loge 13[/url:1v2gsw3b] was founded by a guy in the same M,W,Th plan since the mid-'80s and he regularly reports getting no Citi Field priority or love.[/quote:1v2gsw3b] Indeed. And it is a fantastic site. The party line from the Mets for the past 2+ years has been "you're either a full-season holder or you're dirt to us."* * In sum and substance, not verbatim Nymr83 Jul 25 2008 03:35 PM ]2. There will indeed be different prices for different games. Allegedly the "value" price for promenade reserved seats will be $12. 4. That fans will still be allowed to bring their own food into the park. if thats true i'm very happy. Benjamin Grimm Jul 25 2008 03:41 PM I don't think I'll ever sit in a seat there that's not "Promenade" unless I win a contest or something. G-Fafif Jul 25 2008 03:46 PM Right said Fred (Wilpon) to Neil Best. ]Wilpon on his concern over rising ticket prices at Citi Field: �It�s my personal greatest concern. Because it is partly a public trust. We will have games where you can get a seat for $10. It�s a bit of a Robin Hood. Down below people will pay significant prices but we�re going to have $19 seats, $29 seats, $12 seats, whatever. One of the reasons that I wanted this intimate small stadium like Ebbets Field was because every seat is really good, I�m telling you. You go to the last seat in the upper deck and you will not feel you are out of the field. You can hug it. That was the goal. I am concerned with [ticket prices]. I�m concerned with that for baseball. I�m concerned with that for us. But those are the economics. You build an $800 million stadium and your revenues go up but so does your [revenue] sharing. It�s go to come from somewhere.�� Gwreck Jul 29 2008 11:25 AM Time for an update: CONCOURSE LEVEL (Lower level): Sterling Club Seats First 20 rows of seats, directly behind home plate (between the dugouts) -- approximately 1,600 seats in total Rows 1-2 ("Platinum"): $495 Rows 3-8 ("Gold"): $375 Rows 9-14 ("Silver"): $225 Rows 15-20: $175 Ebbets Club Seats Next 8 rows of seats, directly behind home plate (between the dugouts) -- approximately 600 seats in total Rows 1-2 ("Gold"): $250 Rows 3-8: $200 Metropolitan Box Seats The four sections of field level seats closest to the Sterling and Ebbets Clubs -- Approx 3,500 seats in total Rows 1-2 ("Platinum"): $375 Rows 3-6 ("Gold"): $225 Rows 7-12 ("Silver"): $175 Rows 13-31 ("Box"): $150 Field Box Seats Next four sections of lower level seats-- Approx 3,500 seats in total Rows A-E ("Gold"): $225 Rows 1-6 ("Silver"): $175 Rows 7-31 ("Box"): $125 Baseline Box Seats Next four sections of lower level out to the foul poles -- Approx 3,500 seats in total No pricing information provided yet. Left Field Reserved / Right Field Reserved Approx 5 sections in LF and 3 sections in RF; seats in fair territory in the OF -- Approx 4,750 seats in total First two rows ("Gold"): Rows 3-19: No pricing information provided yet. Big Apple 3 sections in CF closest to the Apple -- approx. 1250 seats No pricing information provided yet. Bridge Terrace 2 rows of seats above the bullpens in right-center field No pricing information provided yet. EXCELSIOR LEVEL (Middle level): Excelsior Club Seats Approx 4000 seats in total Rows 1-2, behind home plate ("Platinum"): $175 Rows 3-6, behind home plate ("Gold"): $150 Rows 1-2, behind dugouts ("Silver"): $125 Rows 3-12, behind dugouts ("Bronze"): $115 Rows 1-12, the remaining 4 sections from infield out to foul poles: $75 Left Field Landing Above left field reserved -- approx 2000 seats total Rows 1-2 ("Gold"): Rows 3-14: No pricing information provided yet. Right Field Porch Above right field reserved -- first few rows overhang field -- approx 1800 seats total Rows 1-2 ("Gold"): Rows 3-16: No pricing information provided yet. PROMENADE LEVEL (Upper level): Split with "boxes" at front and "reserved" in back, similar to current Shea setup Promenade Club All boxes on infield -- approx 1800 seats Rows 1-2 ("Gold"): $60-$75 Rows 3-5: $48-$60 No pricing information provided yet. Promenade Boxes All remaining boxes from bases to outfield - approx 2250 seats No pricing information provided yet. Promenade Reserved Infield Highest level of seats, infield -- approx 5700 seats $20-$25 Promenade Reserved Highest level of seats, outfield -- approx 5700 seats No pricing information provided yet. Benjamin Grimm Jul 29 2008 11:31 AM You'll find me in the Promenade. I just hope that I can continue to buy seats two or three days before the game. I'm not too optimistic on that point, at least not for the first year or two that the stadium is open. attgig Jul 29 2008 02:34 PM ugh. G-Fafif Jul 29 2008 04:04 PM Aren't "box seats," with the bars separating you from those in front of or behind or next to you, kind of archaic at this point? Perhaps they won't be configured the same way as Shea's (what with the advances in construction over the past 45 years) or perhaps they're just using familiar terminology. I don't think you really see them in the newer parks. Gwreck Jul 29 2008 07:54 PM It's just the familiar terminology. soupcan Jul 29 2008 08:27 PM ="G-Fafif":2kk1ar2g]Aren't "box seats," with the bars separating you from those in front of or behind or next to you, kind of archaic at this point? Perhaps they won't be configured the same way as Shea's (what with the advances in construction over the past 45 years) or perhaps they're just using familiar terminology. I don't think you really see them in the newer parks.[/quote:2kk1ar2g] We've got 1 box (4 seats) in the field level at Shea. It is a classic box - 2 in front, 2 right behind with a metal bar on three sides. They tell us that next year we'll have four seats in a comparable area but they will be four in a row, side to side. I'm guessing the classic box seats won't exist at Citi. SteveJRogers Jul 29 2008 08:41 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3kdhwgrm]You'll find me in the Promenade. I just hope that I can continue to buy seats two or three days before the game. I'm not too optimistic on that point, at least not for the first year or two that the stadium is open.[/quote:3kdhwgrm] StubHub, Craig's List or Ebay might be the best best Vic Sage Jul 30 2008 08:51 AM Promenade Club seats, Row 3. 2 seats, please, for weekend games. Thanks. Gwreck Jul 31 2008 10:06 AM I generally despise what Wallace Matthews writes, but here[/url:i92l8bbe], I generally agree with him. AG/DC Jul 31 2008 10:11 AM I don't buy that "true New Yorker" garbage at all. metirish Jul 31 2008 10:19 AM It makes for some stark reading . soupcan Jul 31 2008 10:28 AM I agree with Matthews. MLB seems to be trying to position itself as a luxury item or status symbol. As Joe Middle Income - the passionate fan - gets pushed out, interest will begin to wane among the corporate drones in attendence who aren't there for the game anyway. Eventually MLB will have difficulty filling those seats at those prices. It's already started. I know for a fact that one of the top brokerage firms gave up 4 premier seats that they had at Shea for at least the last 20 years solely because of Citi Field's price hike. Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2008 10:36 AM Well, hopefully demand will go down, thereby pushing prices down. You have to think, though, that the next time the Mets have a season like 1993, or even 2003, (and it will happen), nobody's going to want to pay those high prices. We may see games where the lower level seats are nearly empty, and the majority of the fans are sitting in the Promenade. batmagadanleadoff Jul 31 2008 10:36 AM ="soupcan":3i05ouqs]I know for a fact that one of the top brokerage firms gave up 4 premier seats that they had at Shea for at least the last 20 years solely because of Citi Field's price hike.[/quote:3i05ouqs] Me too. Full Season ticket holder for almost 20 years. No more. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 31 2008 10:37 AM Yeah, as I was saying before: the Mets and Yanks better hope they sell a lot of these tickets soon, because as I hear this economic fuckdown will continue through the end of '09 at least (that's a guess as to when the worst of the housing fallout passes). It's gonna be bread lines for the USA till then, brother. metirish Jul 31 2008 10:49 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2h1uuwrt]Yeah, as I was saying before: the Mets and Yanks better hope they sell a lot of these tickets soon, because as I hear this economic fuckdown will continue through the end of '09 at least (that's a guess as to when the worst of the housing fallout passes). It's gonna be bread lines for the USA till then, brother.[/quote:2h1uuwrt] John Mellencamp will be writing songs about how things used to be at old Shea. Nymr83 Jul 31 2008 10:51 AM Wally: ]Someday soon, spending a day at the ballpark will be the equivalent of yachting, playing croquet or pitching darts on the lawn of the family compound, an ultra-costly diversion enjoyed by the rich and privileged, fantasized about by the rest of us what a load of crap. there are still going to be seats under $20, thats by far cheaper than other sports. wally also decides not to point out that unlike the yankees and many other teams, the mets do, and will continue to, allow outside food into the stadium, a pretty significant cost savings for anyone who cares AG/DC Jul 31 2008 11:20 AM It's not about the Mets, or even the Yankees. Demand drives prices up, and that's a fact everywhere. The main issue is on the supply side, even as the economy threatens to reduce demand. G-Fafif Jul 31 2008 12:24 PM Swells who buy season tickets aren't enthusiastic fans based on their being swells? The 4,000 affordable (or most affordable) seats is a scary number. All the numbers are already scary and that's in the present tense. The price on my ticket to see Billy Joel, the rarest and biggest of events for Shea, was actually less than the price on my ticket to see the Mets and Phillies last week, which was one of 81 games, even if it was a fairly big one (I was somebody's Field Level guest or I wouldn't have been sitting there). And it's gonna cost more than that? Even though I know it and have known it, wow. I can see the theoretical comparisons between Citi and MSG (all sold out to alleged corporate stooges), except there are twice as many baseball games as basketball games and Citi is twice as big as the Garden. Novelty does wear off -- April and May weeknights take up a lot of the season -- and an aftermarket infrastructure is in place, one that sometimes provides an in at relative (relative) bargain prices. It's a shame it has to be that way, but it appear it is that way. It's laughable that the "team of the people" all but dismisses walkup sales as a relic and isn't particularly interested in accommodating (that is taking money from) partial plan holders. One way or another, life will be different. Gwreck Aug 14 2008 12:06 PM The NY Post had a story on the prices.[/url:3bny65jv] Notably, they are reporting a $19 pricepoint for promenade reserved, but I suspect that may be promenade reserved outfield and not infield. batmagadanleadoff Aug 27 2008 02:03 PM Yesterday, I ran into someone I know only casually and not all that well. What I do know about him is that for the past 10-15 years at least, he owned a pair of Shea Stadium field box season tickets very close to the Mets dugout. He's not renewing. According to him, He's "no Fortune 500 corporation and the Wilpons don't want fans in the stands anymore". Gwreck Aug 29 2008 09:44 PM In an interesting development, the other New York team announced its pricing structure today. In addition to offering full season tickets, they are offering 41, 20, 15, 12 and 11 game plans, all with postseason options (although only the 41 game plan has a guaranteed postseason option. Pricing, seating chart, etc. is here:http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/new_stadium_ticket_license_plans.jsp AG/DC Aug 29 2008 09:45 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":24dz924q]According to him, He's "no Fortune 500 corporation and the Wilpons don't want fans in the stands anymore".[/quote:24dz924q] What does he do? themetfairy Oct 20 2008 02:08 PM I received a letter today that contained the following - ]We are pleased to advise that we will have a selection of Ticket Plan offerings at Citi Field for our loyal Ticket Plan account holders prior to the general public. Two 40-game and five 15-fame Plans will enable us to accommodate each 2008 Ticket Plan holder with a Ticket Plan purchase opportunity for our Inaugural Season at Citi Field. We will communicate these offerings to you in the weeks ahead. So it looks like the Sunday Only plan is a thing of the past. Benjamin Grimm Oct 20 2008 02:11 PM One of those five 15-game plans might be heavily oriented towards Sundays. The way I figure it, there are probably 13 home Sunday games on the schedule. Maybe one of the plans is 13 Sundays plus two "bonus" games. Please let us know when you find out more. themetfairy Oct 20 2008 02:17 PM Will do! Gwreck Oct 20 2008 03:13 PM I have my doubts about these plans. My worry is that only the 40-game plans will have guaranteed playoff purchase options. I doubt they would do a heavily-Sunday or heavily-Saturday plan; it would seem more likely they'd want to split up the weekend games so that all plans would be equally attractive to the buyers. Also, I wouldn't count on opening day being available in any of the plans. Gwreck Oct 20 2008 03:14 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":2vxwybpt]The way I figure it, there are probably 13 home Sunday games on the schedule. [/quote:2vxwybpt] You don't have to guess! Full 2009 schedule is already available: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=nym&m=4&y=2009 Nymr83 Oct 20 2008 07:07 PM ]My worry is that only the 40-game plans will have guaranteed playoff purchase options and if more tickets were allocated to the eople who buy 15 game plans, there would be complaints by the people who don't buy any plan about how playoff tickets are unaffordable and unavailable... wawawa etc. The Mets' can't win there. Gwreck Oct 20 2008 07:14 PM ="Nymr83"]]My worry is that only the 40-game plans will have guaranteed playoff purchase options and if more tickets were allocated to the eople who buy 15 game plans, there would be complaints by the people who don't buy any plan about how playoff tickets are unaffordable and unavailable... wawawa etc. The Mets' can't win there. Not true. All they need to do is make a clear announcement and make the ticket allocation more transparent. Regardless, the point isn't that people will complain about playoff tickets being unavailable. The problem is that the Mets may or may not have used sufficient creativity in creating their partial plans. We won't know until the Mets get around to actually telling giving out meaningful information. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 20 2008 07:35 PM I'd like to make a declaration of interest in buying into a very small part of someone's 40-game plan. I don't think I can afford or commit to more than a small handful next year, ISO same, etc etc. If there's enough of us... Rockin' Doc Oct 20 2008 07:44 PM Is it just me, or does anyone else find the concern over the availability of Mets playoff tickets be almost as pointless as Detroit Lion fans worrying about their access to Super Bowl tickets? It's probably just me. Watching a good young team like the Rays has made me rather cynical of late. Nymr83 Oct 20 2008 07:47 PM maybe you could try putting a group together on here to buy a 40 game plan (either 2 or 4 seats) and then divide up the games. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 20 2008 07:53 PM Yeah, that's what I'm saying but I need someone who 1) is receiving this offer and 2) Can be trusted to cut the giant check. Nymr83 Oct 20 2008 08:07 PM i'm in a for a few (3-5) games as well if anyone wants to do this. Fman99 Oct 20 2008 08:28 PM ="Nymr83":27g5374t]i'm in a for a few (3-5) games as well if anyone wants to do this.[/quote:27g5374t] You could do a proportional buy-in, rate the cost per game, and divvy it up where any potential attendee could buy in even for 1-2 games. We probably won't go to more than 1-2 next year given the cost and distance. Fman99 Oct 20 2008 08:28 PM Oops double post. themetfairy Oct 20 2008 08:31 PM A complicating point is that, even within a plan, not all games are priced evenly. With my Sunday plan last year, the prices varied tremendously depending on what color coded ticket price applied to the date. Gwreck Oct 20 2008 08:56 PM I have a friend who does this with his Mariners season ticket group. I think they have something like 8 or 10 seats now but the concept stays the same: You have to buy in pairs; People commit to a set number of games at the start of the season; Snake-order draft to see who gets what games (ie. A, B, C, D, D, C, B, A); Draft position is determined by random chance; When it's your turn in the draft, you can take any game you want that's available (knowing that some games -- ie. Yankees, July weekends, etc -- cost more than others -- ie. April weeknights) Playoff games are determined by lottery, weighted by how many games in the plan you purchased. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 20 2008 09:15 PM In Gwreck Oct 20 2008 09:20 PM I'd like to be "in" but I doubt that I can be the one to "cut the big check" unfortunately... John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 20 2008 09:21 PM Specially if you intend to collect from me. Nymr83 Oct 20 2008 11:04 PM i'm not sure who here can "cut the big check" or who would be willing to even admit it if they could. we could collect at least some money beforehand, or we could look at a 15-game plan to split up instead of a 40, it really all depends on how much interest we have. themetfairy Oct 21 2008 05:12 AM If it helps, they accept credit card payment for tickets. That just means that someone has a large enough credit limit to handle the transaction and trusts everyone else enough to pony up their share quickly. Fman99 Oct 21 2008 06:45 AM ="Gwreck":f4a68j0e]I have a friend who does this with his Mariners season ticket group. I think they have something like 8 or 10 seats now but the concept stays the same: You have to buy in pairs; People commit to a set number of games at the start of the season; Snake-order draft to see who gets what games (ie. A, B, C, D, D, C, B, A); Draft position is determined by random chance; When it's your turn in the draft, you can take any game you want that's available (knowing that some games -- ie. Yankees, July weekends, etc -- cost more than others -- ie. April weeknights) Playoff games are determined by lottery, weighted by how many games in the plan you purchased.[/quote:f4a68j0e] Yep. My cousin and her husband are in a group in the DC area that does this with four Nats season tickets. Benjamin Grimm Oct 21 2008 06:57 AM Are you guys talking about splitting up a 40 or a 15? And how many seats for each game? And how much would the "big check" be for? John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 21 2008 07:09 AM 2 tixx for 40 games at Citifield would be 3 grand or something at least? soupcan Oct 21 2008 07:52 AM I got two tix for all 81 games in whatever they are calling the upper deck. Don't yet know whether they are in left or right. I gave them a $250.00 deposit per ticket and they will contact me at some future date to let me know where I'll be. The total cost will be about $1,500.00 each. I'm sure I won't even be close to using all of them so if anybody's interested in taking a few off my hands, that's cool. Kong76 Oct 23 2008 02:45 PM I read thread quickly and see 81 and 40 games plans mentioned. I got a letter today that say there will also be five 15 game plans available to people with Mets accounts in the coming weeks ahead. If I can get a 15 game plan I'd be super happy and also willing to share or just meet for some games. Kong76 Oct 23 2008 03:04 PM Re-reading, I didn't go far enough back ... I can't keep up lately. I'll be happy to be offered something is where I was going with this, I really thought most plan holders were going to be left out completely. (and that may have been the original plan before we all became poorer the last couple of months) sharpie Oct 23 2008 03:59 PM I'd be in for buying into a larger plan. Or buying some Soup tix. Vic Sage Oct 24 2008 01:51 PM me, too. soupcan Oct 24 2008 02:02 PM Great, I'll keep you all posted. Farmer Ted Nov 12 2008 11:39 AM Doesn't look like Boston is going after any high-priced free agents. That, or they have a ton of cash stuffed away. BOSTON (AP) -- For the first time in 14 years, the Boston Red Sox aren't increasing any ticket prices at Fenway Park for the 2009 season. Prices range from $12 to $125 for tickets bought after Dec. 17. There is a discount for earlier purchases once tickets go on sale Dec. 13. Red Sox President Larry Lucchino says the team knows that fans are facing challenging economic times and wanted to give them a break. Fans with contracts for premium seats can keep their ticket prices the same if they agree to extend those contracts for one year. The team plans to add about 350 seats at Fenway Park before next season. themetfairy Nov 26 2008 01:20 PM Here are the Partial Season Ticket Plans[/url:205v8hxo]. Partial season ticket holders can make their purchases based on a seniority system. I'm not a long term season ticket holder, so I have to wait until December 10th to purchase my tickets. Gwreck Nov 26 2008 01:28 PM I don't think seniority has anything to do with it -- I think it's based on what you had in 2008. Order is: 1. Full Season Holders from 2008 who did not renew for a Full Season 2009 2. Weekday Plan Holders from 2008 3. Mini and Tuesday/Friday plan holders from 2008 4. Saturday and Sunday plan holders from 2008 Kong76 Nov 26 2008 02:34 PM Got the email earlier and the regular letter just now. Seems to me that if I log at 10am on 12/5 I should be able to get my single seat Sunday ticket and if I got lucky I could get two extra seats? I mean really, if they can't give me one seat after 5-6 years of full season and another 5 or so of plan seasons they can gobble my turkey neck and lick my giblets. themetfairy Nov 26 2008 03:10 PM If Kase can log in on 12/5, then seniority does matter. Kong76 Nov 26 2008 03:24 PM I'll post an image of the letter I got a little later. Kong76 Nov 26 2008 04:25 PM Gwreck Nov 26 2008 10:49 PM ="themetfairy":2gwrrk6t]If Kase can log in on 12/5, then seniority does matter.[/quote:2gwrrk6t] Indeed. Can't believe the Mets managed to get that one right (!). SI Metman Nov 26 2008 11:26 PM yep, I've only been a Sunday plan holder for 2 1/2 years and got the 10th on my letter. Fortunately they are sparing us from going to the last Sunday game in '09. Kong76 Dec 05 2008 08:15 AM Scored two seats, Sun+ plan, front row of the highest level, in the outfield. mezzman is now promresman Vic Sage Dec 05 2008 09:53 AM my friend can't buy tix till the 12th. shoot. themetfairy Dec 05 2008 09:56 AM ="Vic Sage":f2arzhqv]my friend can't buy tix till the 12th. shoot.[/quote:f2arzhqv] It's nice to know that I have priority over somebody.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Amazin' how the Tony Bernazard is The Devil Incarnate stores stopped arriving now that Willie is out of the picture. Gee, ya think "a source close to the Mets" coulda been Willie himself? Or the team started winning so nobody cares anymore.

="Benjamin Grimm"]They should have replicated that deep part of center field. 440' to 483' - Oof.

Good thought but if you do that don't you think you're kind of taking the legs out from under your current pitching coach? There's an issue with John Maine that Warthen maybe hasn't figured out - get Peterson down here stat!

="batmagadanleadoff":30oq3atj]I wouldn't mind those missing curlicues so much if that logo was installed as an homage to the NY Giants. There's enough Brooklyn Dodger stuff planned for Citi Field...[/quote:30oq3atj] Spot on. Benjamin Grimm Jul 22 2008 11:46 AM ="AG/DC":227q13qw]Gotta love, though, how explicitly it shows that one branch of the Y goes under the N and the other branch over.[/quote:227q13qw] I agree. That was pretty cool. I feel like I've learned something. Also, from what I've heard, all of the seats at Citi Field will be green, in honor of the Polo Grounds. seawolf17 Jul 22 2008 12:01 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1haria60]Also, from what I've heard, all of the seats at Citi Field will be green, in honor of[/quote:1haria60] all the money that it will take to sit in one. G-Fafif Jul 22 2008 12:16 PM ="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.

Now if the people designing/building Citi Field had any sense - this is what should be on the sides of the aisle seats. Aisle Seat Marker from The Polo Grounds

="Centerfield"]Does it say "Fuck you" on the back of that chick's shirt? Holy shit, I think it does...! So you can't bring in sunscreen but you CAN offend pretty much anyone who looks at you including the children whose cancer your policies are facilitating. Evil Empire indeed.

Excellent (and accurate) thread title.

Nymr83 wrote: !!!SPOILER ALERTS!!! I knew who Harvey Dent was the second I heard his name. And my mom said reading comic books was stupid. HA!

SteveJRogers wrote: Pelfrey is now tied with Eric Hillman with 36 games started, the most for a career Met, they are tied with Tug McGraw for 54th all-time in starts by a Met pitcher. What? Most starts for the Mets by a pitcher who has spent his entire career with the Mets?

Reyes - 2.5 Delgado - 2 Castro - 1.5 Pelfrey - 1.25 Cancel - 1 Sanchez - 1 Wagner - .75

Perez - 2.5 Wright - 2 Delgado - 1.5 Muniz - .5

Beltran - 2 Schoenweiss - 1.5 Heilman - 1 Smith - 1 Wright - 1 Anderson - .5 Easley - .5

Delgado - 3 Wright - 3 Tatis - 2.5 AReyes - .5 Wagner - .5 Beltran - .25 Sanchez - .25

Congrats MGIM. Now get to another game while you're hot and start a 17 year winning streak.

30-30 switch hitters? No, I'm wrong - how about 30-30 switchies who have done it more than once...?

Potential nothing. That pretty much crushed it.

Boo.