Category: CitiField

Mets Finally Make Citi Field Their Own

Shea Stadium / Citi Field
Image by epc via Flickr

Demolishing Shea Stadium and building Citi Field was certainly unwelcome for some Mets fans. It marked a changing of the guard for the franchise and maybe even a sense for some of us that we would be left behind in history as fans of the “old” Mets that played at the “old” stadium. But I have to admit that before this season, I was really looking forward to going to Citi Field.

The surprise set in when we realized that Citi Field wasn’t really about the Mets, it was all about the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson. Sure, Robinson is an individual worthy of all the recognition that he gets, and more than we know. But there was something glaring missing from the new stadium… The Mets history!!! In building this new $800 million project, the Mets forgot that the Mets were going to be playing there and that they’ve had some history of their own. Continue reading “Mets Finally Make Citi Field Their Own”

Mets Cut Ticket Prices For Remaining Games

NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Mr Met gets the crowd g...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Mets finally bit the bullet and cut prices on some tickets for remaining games at Citi Field. It took until the middle of August to do it, when the front office finally had to admit that their team is terrible and just isn’t a draw for fans.

They’re dropping some tickets by 50% for the Metropolitan Box seats effective immediately. Four other games have 40% reductions and three games have 33% discounts. Call this the “Madoff Effect”.

For those of you that are season ticket holders or partial plan buyers, you just got “scr*wed” by the Mets. The value of your investment was just diminished considerably. That doesn’t even factor what they just did to the secondary market. The Mets are trying to undersell you on Stubhub and eBay… Ouch. They continue to treat their season ticket holders poorly again and again. It’s really sad.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Citi Field Steaker Pleads Not Guilty

Citi FieldA moron told police that he streaked across Citi Field Tuesday night during a Mets-Braves game on a bet. He said that his boss bet him a week’s pay to do it. I can’t say that this is setting a new low of stupidity because it’s been done before. Maybe it’s worse to follow an existing low in stupidity.

He’s being charged with interferring in a sporting event among other charges. Of course, he’s pleading not guilty. Interestingly, this law was created after Calvin Klein walked onto the court at t Knicks game to talk to Letrell Sprewell in the middle of a basketball game. Time to check yourself into a program when you start doing things like that.

Check out the aftermath video on YouTube.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Citi Field Empire Suites For Sale

Citi FieldI’m sure that many of you have noticed, as I have, that the Mets are advertising their Empire Suites at Citi Field on SNY game broadcasts. There are several interesting issues here. What’s especially interesting is that the Mets announced in October 2008 that their luxury boxes had sold out.

If the boxes sold out last year and they’re on sale again now, what happened in between? Did the corporations that bought those boxes bail out (Citi pun intended)?

For those of you looking for information on the cost of a box for a game, if you have to ask… it’s too expensive for you. Seriously, I don’t know the price but my guess would be that it’s into the five figures for a game. Of course, it depends on the game that you want and how close the box is to home plate. But figure that you’d probably have to put up $20,000 for a game.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Citi Field- Harrah’s Casino Sponsorship Deal

Harrah's CasinoThe Mets are breaking a major taboo in professional sports by signing a sponsorship deal with Harrah’s Entertainment, better known as Harrah’s Casinos. The deal makes Harrah’s a Signature Partner at Citi Field. They’ll have an exclusive Caesar’s branded club space and a heavy presence throughout the stadium.

This just goes to show how desperate times have become to attract marketing dollars that the Mets would engage in such a deal with a gambling company. Gambling and professional sports mixing has to be a major concern for Major League Baseball Commisioner Bud Selig.

It wasn’t that long ago that Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were banned from baseball for taking jobs at casinos doing personal appearances. That was 1983 when commissioner Bowie Kuhn banned them. They were later reinstated by commissioner Peter Ueberroth but the gambling taboo remained. Of course, who could forget the Chicago White Sox being paid by gamblers to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds?

From The Biz of Baseball:

Fans throughout the season will experience a variety of programming from offers to Harrah’s owned casinos in Atlantic City to themed nights that bring simulate the experience of being at Harrah’s and Caesars to the New York Metropolitan area. On opening night April 13 at Citi Field, the Caesars Club will welcome baseball fans by hosting a DJ, providing fans with a commemorative gift, along with providing opportunities to take photos with iconic Caesars personalities.

Harrah’s has also signed on as the exclusive Casino partner for prominent in-venue signage at Citi Field, including presence atop Citi Field’s left field roof, first and third base rotationals, and identification throughout the concourses.

Harrah’s promotional rights extend to the Mets’ minor league affiliates at Tradition Field (Port St. Lucie, Fla., home of Mets Spring Training and the St. Lucie Mets) and KeySpan Park (Coney Island, N.Y., home of the Brooklyn Cyclones).

It’s incredible to me that the Mets would become this desperate to attract revenue. Maybe building a 42,000 seat stadium wasn’t such a good idea. If they had more gate revenue they wouldn’t have to stoop to this level.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Inaugural MLBPA Store At Citi Field

Citi Field LogoAt 2:00pm on Friday, before the Mets and Red Sox face off at Citi Field, the first-ever MLBPA store will open at Citi Field. Its called The Players Clubhouse: A Players Choice Store. The store is a joint venture between the MLBPA and Aramark.

I would guess that the MLBPA will have some interesting new merchandise. I always like to check out the Mets gear in the catalogs and stores. But it seems odd that the players union is moving in on turf that’s traditionally been owned by MLB (the owners). I wonder what kind of agreement was reached, if any, between the league and the union for this type of store to begin operations and if it’ll spread to other locations and stadiums.

The Biz Of Baseball reports the MLBPA statement about the new store:

“This new concept in stadium retail sales will feature player-only merchandise licensed by the MLBPA’s Players Choice group licensing program. The store provides the MLBPA and its licensees with a unique opportunity to launch new items, test future products and host player-related events.”

Mets, Citi Field Opening Day Tickets Still Available

Citi FieldIf you didn’t get your hands on opening day tickets for this season you can still get them if you’re willing to buy a five-game ticket package. The Mets announced today that they still have some tickets for opening day if you buy season tickets or a five-game package that’s pretty decent. You get a choice of four other games in April and May to buy tickets from. The other games you can choose from are:

April home games:
April 15-16, Padres
April 17-19, Brewers
April 24-26, Nationals
April 27-29, Marlins

May home games (Monday through Friday only):
May 6-7, Phillies
May 8, Pirates
May 11-13, Braves
May 25-27, Nationals
May 29, Marlins

Its too bad that the May games are during the week only but that’s a small price to pay to get into the first game ever at Citi Field. The first series against the Phillies at Citi Field in May is a good one to go after.

Just go to the Mets official site to buy tickets.