My Buddy, Jim Watkins, and me at Citi Field
We are professionals but speaking for Jim here...opening day at Citi Field was great! We had a blast! Despite the final result of the game, we had a great time walking around and taking in all the activities (on the field and off).
Jim and I were at the food court with stage manager, Terry, and photographer Ian, when David Wright hit the game tying homerun in the 5th. It was ridiculous! People yelling, laughing, chanting...the excitement was contagious! (Below are some members of the crew: Matt, Ian, Jim and me but special thanks to all out there!!!)
I know there are many fans unhappy with several aspects of the Mets new ballpark. Yes, there are obstructed views...yes, there are lines at the concessions...yes, there is a lack of orange and blue and a lack of some history section (Give me a museum, with some artifacts please!)....but I feel (and I have been at both new stadiums) this ballpark will lead to a good game experience. Look past the company logos (what's not sponsored? the toilets?) and realize that you can enjoy the action in a variety of ways. For the most part, you will "feel" close to it. I like that!
My moment of the day: interviewing Tom Seaver. I am still in awe of him! I had the pleasure and honor of working with him early in my Sports reporting career (he was an analyst; I was the on field reporter for the Mets). He taught me so much and as soon as he saw me yesterday, gave me a great bear hug and began speaking with me. Listen to the interview on our video player...thanks to Jim for these cool pics!
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Comments: 1
Citi Field is a wonderful new Ball Park in Flushing. There are many wonderous things about the new home of the New York Metropolitans. If a fan has only Shea Stadium as a frame of reference, Citi Field is a palace.
If a fan has gone to parks like Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia or PNC Park in Pittsburgh, the frame of reference may be skewed and not as impressed with this Ebbets Field modeled building.
There are a tremendous amount of amentities. Probably too many. Do we need seven team stores? Do we need four restaurants? The many different types of food at the concession stands give culinary options for the massses. A food court? Are we in a shopping mall that, by the way, hosts a baseball team.
It is 2009, and we must cater to the casual baseball fan. The Atlanta Braves polled their fans before the stadium in Atlanta was built and it showed that about 20% were diehard baseball fans. The remaining 80% needed the amentities, the kid entertainment areas and the Diamond Vision screens to be entertained. This is the similiar philosophy that the New York Mets utilized in construction of the new Citi Field. We live in New York, the greatest baseball city in the world. Do we really need this excess in amentities. Aren't we too sophisticated in New York for whiffle ball fields, video games and dunk tanks?
The fact that so many people, including you, Jim and others in your crew were in the food court when David Wright hit the first Mets home-run in Citi Field history speaks to my previous comments. Were you there to watch baseball or visit the food court? You could go to the Roosevelt Mall if you wanted to go to a food court.
The media has such a grandiose view of Citi Field. Gary, Keith, Ron and Kevin had a four hour lovefest with this place. Seems like PIX has followed suit. Since the media gets catered to, and does not deal with the seats where portions of the field cannot be viewed, or spend time trying to get out of the exits at the conclusion of the game, why would your experience not be splendid.
Did the New York Giants play National League Baseball in New York? Were the Brooklyn Dodgers the only National League Team? Didn't these two franchises leave New York for the sun and fun of California? Didn't the Mets win the World Series in Miracle fashion in 1969? Are Mets management familiar with the 1986 World Champion Mets? Where is Mets History depicted? By not setting aside enough space for a "Mets Museum" shows team management's lack of understanding their fan base and inability to embrace team history.
The Mets history is not nearly as glorious as the Yankees, but Mets fans have memories and players that should be honored in a Hall similiar to the one at Yankees Stadium. Maybe a Mets Museum would not bring in revenue, so why set aside precious real estate for it. They can build another team store instead. That is the Mets philosophy.
As for the franchise, Tom Seaver, he was one of my favorite players growing up. A Hall of Famer on the field. Off the field, maybe not so much. I am glad that he treated you so well when you embarked on your sports reporting career. You realize how much I think of you and your immense talent. His pretentious demeanor again provides proof positive that our heroes on the field are sometimes not what we would like them to be off the field. Definitely not a fan friendly celebrity.
Today, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda will be dedicated and tonight we will celebrate Jackie Robinson Night at Citi Field. Rachel Robinson will be there to experience this terrific tribute to her late husband, Jackie. Jackie Robinson is a true American pioneer. The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is a tremendous and appropriate tribute to this great man. The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is a great entrance to the new Citi Field. Once you leave the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, there is so much to like and dislike about this new Ball Park in Queens.
I am generally a very positive Mets Fan. Positive and Mets fan may be an oxymoron, but I am one nontheless. I would like to embrace our new home and in time might, but the corporate nature of this edifice has me content to watch the games from the privacy of my home on SNY and PIX. From my comfortable seat at home I can see the entire field and never miss a play. Can even see plays made on the warning track. My refrigerator is my food court. Food is less expensive there.
Go to the game as a fan. Spend $18 to park and go through all the game experiences of the average fan and then indicate how wonderful Citi Field is to watch a baseball game. Afterall, if you cant see portions of the field, you could always walk along the concourse or go to the world famous food courts. Are there ever going to be fans sitting in those "sense of entitlement" seats behind home plate.