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Well, it’s a day or so late, but I want to share with all of the sites loyal visitors this Mets Authors’ first Citi Field experience…

Going to a game is great, but going to a game with great people is an even more incredible experience…I had the pleasure of attending my first game at Citi Field thanks to an incredible mid-day invitation from a colleague (to be shown later), and two of his (now mine as well) friends. What was even more incredible…we sat 1’st base side…row 6! Not bad for the first Citi field experience eh?

So after a quick train/subway ride, a sandwich, and a few beers the majestic exterior or Citi Field came into focus..I was floored by the appearance of the stadium, I absolutely loved it. It has an incredible likeness to the historic Ebbets Field and it totally, 10000% blew away Shea…Let’s face it…Shea was not much of a looker thats for sure…

 

Shortly after I snapped this photo….

 

 

 

So enough about the exterior…when entering Citi Field, one can’t help but to look all around at the incredible tribute to the great Jackie Robinson # 42… the Rotunda is really a wonderful site to see. I was really impressed with the quotes, images, videos, and the overall ambiance of the Citi Field entrance. Take a look…

 

 

 

 

 Moving on…past the rotunda….up the escalator… 

 

 

 

So we took a look at our tickets…and we see this enticing caption “Admit One To Acela Club” … so we figured…well we absolutely have to check out this prestigious, top notch, exclusive lounge/club…more on this later… So we head up the stairs, and track down the sign that tells us where to go….

 

 

Before we get to the Acela club…we pass through 3-4 ticket security checks to make sure we weren’t freeloading…they certainly tightened up their security..(At least near the Acela/Caesars areas..) – Was a bit lacking in the 100’s seating section though  

Anyways, we pass through the Caesars Palace Club thing…

 

 

So we marched onward towards the esteemed Acela club, passing through Caesars without hesitation…And we arrive after another solid security point…So worth it…

 

 

So we arrive at the Acela club, and we promptly determined that it sucked ass, and left…Yeah it wasn’t all that great…$40 hamburger meals..and a decent view…We’ll pass…Elliot gives his review below…

 

 

 

So we promptly headed back to the Caesars lounge, grabbed some beers…and hung out until around game time…

 

 

 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot…as an extra measure of security Citi Field has decided to ID evvvvveryone when buying some beers…and I do mean everyone…really I do…  I was on line waiting for a beer, and a couple behind me (Must have been about 70….)  were asked for ID…it was a great dialogue…it went as follows:

Vendor: “ID please”

70 Year Old Man: “Hahahahahah”

Vendor: “I’m Serious…” 

70 Year Old Man: <—- Shocked beyond belief… “Honey…do we even have our Id’s?”

Me: <—Internally laughing my ass off… 

So yeah they finally gave them the beers, crazy right?

Ok so onto the game….

I couldn’t have asked for better seats, a better opponent, or a better experience in general…it was truly that game that featured everything a fan could want…

1. Jamie Moyer Getting Shelled in the 1’st and 2′nd

2. 3 Mets Bombs in the first few innings…

3. Fan fights in right field nose bleeds…Phillies Vs. Mets…what do you expect?

4. A manager ejection…JERRY, JERRY!

5. A Mets Win…

6. A Phillies Loss…

Have a gander at some of these images…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well that does it everyone, I hope you all enjoyed this Bloggers view of the new Citi field…I must admit I really had a blast…and a big thank you to the crew that invited me to the game…what an awesome experience!

Til’ Next time…Let’s Go Mets!

You're a MLB Pro..Thanks For Coming Back!

So here we sit, a couple of weeks into the season, and the New York Mets are sitting at .500. At 6-6 the Mets have shown many of their strengths and of course some weaknesses as well. Let’s face it, besides Johan Santana, there is not much certainty as to what you will get from the other 4 Starters.

Maine, Perez, Pelfrey, Hernandez, and now Figueroa are all a bit unpredictable to say the very least

At the plate I see some serious potential for this team. Castillio, Delgado, Church, and of course the usual threats (Beltran ,Wright, Reyes) will, in my opinion, continue to produce. The clutch hitting will come, and I get a feeling that when everything starts to click there will be a vast improvement in this part of their game.

Tomorrow the Mets take on the Saint Louis Cardinals. They certainly will have their work cut out for them as the Cardinals will most certainly bring their offense against Mr. Perez.

Let’s Go Mets!

What a difference a few days can make. Oliver Perez brought the A-Game the Mets needed today in a sparkling 1 Run performance. Even more than his strong pitching performance, were the invigorating at bats he had tonight. How entertaining was that?! This guy was really working the count and taking some monster hacks up there. OK, so he missed…but still awesome enthusiasm, and you just have to love the bat smashing after the strikeouts haha. 

Besides that, we saw some good signs in other aspects of the team as well. Parnell looked good, Putz was strong…and Delgado is just getting started. Delgado will be getting very familiar with the Pepsi porch in right field this season. 

I also had the displeasure of watching the sloppiest overall inning of baseball I have seen this season so far. The Padres absolutely amazed me in that 8th inning, more mental errors were made than Mets runs scored in the inning. Totally, incredibly sloppy…but hey I wont complain It worked out for the Mets for sure. 

Oh, Ryan Church struck out for the first time this season tonight…It boggles my mind that he sat tonight…incredibly, insanely ridiculous. Ugh….

Let’s hope we see this Olly more often. If we do…that 30 Million + investment won’t look so silly. Let’s Go Mets!

IF you would have told me two days ago that Luis Castillio would have gone 4-4 with a couple of RBI’s and Livon would be provide the stop the Mets needed in their losing streak, I might have had a tough time believing this combo deal.

In reality, this is exactly what happened. Livon battled through some tough innings, and looked very solid for most of his start. The biggest surprise of the game was Luis Castillo. Luis Looking Aggressive?! Luis??! Yes HoJo and Manuel Gave him a bit of a pep talk before the game, and it seemed to help.

Church looks great, Beltran, Delgado, Wright, all of them provided some help as well. Hey we even saw K-Rod in a non save situation..

Those pesky Marlins are always quite the challenge for the Mets. I love watching these games. Johan Today! Big game to win here.

Oliver Perez…Predicatable? No. Consistent? Nope. Will Give You An Ulcar By September? Yes.

Ok, so like most Mets fans, I sat there watching innings one and two and said to myself…”Oh Yeah…So Glad We Picked This Dude Back Up!” Then comes inning three…my original optimism was squelched…but there was still hope! He would bounce back right? Nope. HAHA…He bounced back alright, bounced himself into the dugout..Did He skip over the foul line or no? I missed that part as I was cursing at the TV

Walks will kill you….time and time again we see this, and its been true forever. Olly has to find himself..find himself and keep that 1’st and 2′nd inning form going for 6 innings or more consistently! I know its his first start, but I am just talking based on the past few seasons.

Ok some bright spots…Stokes, Parnell…looking pretty good. Held those Reds off the board with Feliciano in the mix as well. Good stuff there. The offense..pretty solid I must say. Can’t blame them. Lights out Rhodes made sure there was to be no comeback…and the closer felt the same way!

Sheffield looked a little foolish up there, but hey 1’st AB…I have a great feeling Mr. Delgado will have an incredible season, and Beltran as well. While I am at it…Church and Murhpy too…. Can’t wait to see how this pans out..  Mets Vs. Marlins tomorrow…Lets GO Maine and Mets!

Til Tomorrow!

NL East Preview/Projection

*The NL East is the only division that can attempt to match the AL East with a lineup of…

Jose Reyes (ss-NYM)-With the epitome of range at SS and speed & OBP now at the top of the lineup

(120-17-68-60-295)

Chase Utley (2b-PHL)-The patience to be the perfect #2 hitter but the greatness to bat anywhere

(115-30-110-13-296)

Hanley Ramirez (lf-FLA)-Talent to bat leadoff or third & now he has Bonaficio and Maybin to drive in

(116-33-106-29-303)

Ryan Howard (1b-PHL)-HR & RBI leader of the MLB last year and again this year with a better AVG

(96-45-135-1-275)

David Wright (3b-NYM)-Has Reyes & Murphy in front and Beltran & Delgado behind; Got to love his line

(112-31-122-20-305)

Carlos Beltran (cf-NYM)-Batting 5^th will hurt his runs but gold glove CF with power & speed combo

(92-26-115-22-279)

Brian McCann (c-ATL)-Great line at Catcher; Another year under his belt and less weight above his belt

(68-24-94-3-298)

Jimmy Rollins (dh-PHL)-Rather Reyes at SS & Hanley in LF, but I’ll take Rollins at DH against the AL East

(119-19-75-39-278)

Jeff Francoeur (rf-ATL)-Gun for an arm and a rebound year for our last OF spot

(77-22-90-3-269)

….and a rotation of:

Johan Santana (NYM)-18 straight starts without a loss and A NEW BULLPEN – 20+ wins?

(20-2.85-1.15-209)

Cole Hamels (PHL)-Same fastball/changeup repertoire that BAFFLES hitters; Health issues?

(16-3.19-1.09-194)

Derek Lowe (ATL)-Durable. That’s all I have to say, but with all his groundouts, he would probably be effective even with Colorado, or Texas.

(14-3.75-1.25-140)

Ricky Nolasco (FLA)-Still underrated? Doubt it, but he’ll be almost as good this year.

(14-3.84-1.21-171)

Josh Johnson (FLA)-Better k-rate than Nolasco with Worse WHIP, but stud if healthy.

(14-3.65-1.33-175)

…and a solid bullpen of Brad Lidge(38sv), Francisco Rodriguez(42sv), JJ Putz(6sv), Mike Gonzalez(30sv), Matt Lindstrom(23sv), Joel Hanrahan(25sv) and let us not forget about ambidextrous Billy Wagner pitching with determination and for another contract later in the year.

*Breaking down the NL East by position and using a sample rank system, I came up with the following (as objectively as possible):

c: McCann(atl-5) – Really no other C in the NL East can compare

1b: Ryan Howard(phl-5pts); Carlos Delgado(nym-4pts); Jorge Cantu(fla-3pts); Adam Dunn(was-3pts); Casey Kotchman(atl-2pts) - Howard is the clear favorite; A somewhat offensive bounce-back from Kotchman is in place; Delgado, Cantu, and Dunn should all be solid again; Cantu is definitely still underrated with Bonifacio, Maybin sometimes, and Hanley Ramirez in front of him.

2b: Chase Utley(phl-5pts);Dan Uggla(fla-3pts);Kelly Johnson(atl-2pts); Luis Castillo(nym-1pt) – Castillo can be an effective 2b still at the 8-spot in the Mets lineup; Kelly Johnson can go 85-17-75-9-287 with maturity and confidence. Obviously, the Nationals have a 2^nd baseman in Anderson Hernandez/Ronnie Belliard – I just don’t think they’re worth writing about.

3b: David Wright(nym-5pts); Chipper Jones(atl-4pts); Ryan Zimmerman(was-3pts) Emilio Bonifacio (fla-3pts) – Chipper does deserve 5 points along with Wright if he could just stay healthy enough; If Bonifacio sticks to leadoff he can be a runs and sb stud; and Zimmerman should have a 85-20-85-5-285 line. His defense is fantastic and he has potential for 85-25-95-5-290. Pedro Feliz isn’t worth ranking albeit solid defense.

ss: Hanley Ramirez(fla-5pts); Jose Reyes(nym-4pts); Jimmy Rollins (phl-4pts); Yunel Escobar(atl-2pts) – I wanted to give 5 points to both Rollins and Reyes as well, but It’s true that Hanley is in an offensive class all by himself since he’ll have lots of rbi opportunities this year; I personally think Reyes can belt 19 home runs this year, but 16hr + 60sb is beautiful with a stellar .293-.297 avg.

lf: Raul Ibanez(tilde over the n)(phl-5pts); Daniel Murphy(nym-4pts); Matt Diaz(atl-3pts); Josh Willingham (was-2pts) – I love Daniel Murphy batting 2^nd in the Mets lineup. I think a very healthy 90-17-75-7-286 is very possible; Ibanez will be stellar there in the Phillies Lineup; Matt Diaz with playing time can be very good. Along with Brian McCann, he slimmed down a bit.

cf: Carlos Beltran(nym-5pts); Shane Victorino(phl-4pts); Cameron Maybin(fla-3pts); Lastings Milledge(was-2 pts); Jordan Schaeffer (atl-2pts) – Jordan Schaeffer is young and good. He’s already got 2 hr this year. He could switch with Kelly Johnson/Yunel Escobar for the top of the lineup if slow starts occur for either of the 2 or when Chipper sits (which will be enough) and Omar Infante is in the lineup. I think he can be good for 17hr-15sb. Maybin should bat 2^nd but may find himself at the bottom of the lineup enough to hurt. His lineup spot should have the following breakdown: 50% batting 8^th, 35% batting 2^nd; and 15% batting lead-off. A line of 85-15-65-25-269 seems great for where he went in drafts; Like I said prior, Beltran will lose out on runs and protection batting 5^th, but he should bat 4^th enough against lefties when Delgado bats 5^th.

rf: Jeff Francoeur(atl-5pts); Jayson Werth(phl-4pts); Jeremy Hermida(fla-2pts); Elijah Dukes-Austin Kearns(was-2pts); Church-Sheffield(nym-2pts) – Hermida was regarded very highly just a few years ago, and the rbi opportunities are there. He could get time batting 2^nd as well. I actually like him for a line of 75-18-75-6-260; Werth should be very good when healthy since right field is his. I see 24hr-15sb due to injury concern; Platoons and split-time between the Mets and Nationals right field situations should yield above average numbers. The difference between them and Francoeur however is obviously not nearly as great between say Chase Utley at 2b and Ronnie Belliard at 2b so I think they deserve 2 pts to Francoeur’s 5 pts.

sp1: Johan Santana(nym-5pts); Cole Hamels(phl-5pts); Derek Lowe(atl-4pts); Ricky Nolasco(fla-4pts)

sp2: Josh Johnson(fla-5pts); Javier Vazquez(atl-3pts); Brett Myers(phl-3pts); Maine/Pelfrey/Perez (nym-3pts) – To me, Josh Johnson is clearly the best #2 starter here with the other 3 teams having fairly similar numbers at the #2 rotation spot. The thing with the Mets is I’m not sure who the #2 will be by year’s end – same for their number 3 and 4 starters, and I’m a Mets Fan; Brett Myers Could be good at times and a mess at others. I think he’s better than Moyer this year (even though Moyer may be ageless the way he pitches) so I’ll put him here and Moyer in the 3-whole.

sp3: Jair Jurjjens(atl-4pts); Jamie Moyer(phl-3pts); Maine/Pelfrey/Perez(nym-3pts); Volstad(fla-3pts)

sp4: Joe Blanton(phl-4pts); Kenshin Kawakami(atl-3pts); Maine/Pelfrey/Perez(nym-3pts) – I think Kawakami can be as effective as the teams’ other #4’s since no one has seen him.

sp5/Minor League P call-ups: Tommy Hanson(atl-4pts); Jordan Zimmerman(was-3pts); Carlos Carrasco(phl-3pts); Jon Niese(nym-1pts) – the Phillies, Nat’s, and especially the Braves have a future Ace or #2 in the whole, while the Mets, to me have a future #4. I think the Phillies will need Carrasco quicker than the Mets need Niese or Braves need Hanson, but Hanson is the best among the new wave of NL East Starters. Jordan Zimmerman could and should put up better than league average numbers in his first season.

P.S. Livan Hernandez will be horrendous for the Mets. Hopefully they sign Pedro Martinez or Jon Niese and Tim Redding can be effective enough. However, I do see a deadline SP deal for the Mets, which comes later in the post.

closer: Brad Lidge(phl-5pts); Krod(nym-5pts); Mike Gonzalez(atl-3pts); Matt Lindstrom(fla-2pts); Joel Hanrahan(was-2pts)-Krod and Lidge will be great again. Gonzalez is underrated and can save 35 games without Rafael Soriano getting a chance. Tommy Hanson could get some opportunities if both Gonzalez and Soriano are unhealthy, but I think they’ll keep him as a SP as he sores to the Majors. Lindstrom can be very good with his 100mph fast ball and slider so long as he stays healthy. Per pitch, he was the hardest thrower in the majors last year, and let’s not forget about Jon Broxton/LAD or Joel Zumaya/DET.

setup: JJ Putz(nym-5pts); Rafael Soriano(atl-2pts) – If Krod goes down, the Mets should still be OK because of JJ Putz - just OK. JC Romero of PHL could have been here if he didn’t get suspended for substance abuse, but hey thanks for helping the Phillies win the World Series and thanks for playing in the World Baseball Classic. Horrendousness.

Figure 1.0: Results

	nym	phl	atl	fla	was
c	1	1	5	1	3
1b	4	5	2	3	1
2b	1	5	2	3	1
3b	5	1	4	3	3
ss	4	4	2	5	1
lf	4	5	3	1	2
cf	5	4	2	3	2
rf	2	4	5	2	2
sp	5	5	4	4	1
sp	3	3	3	5	1
sp	3	3	4	3	1
sp	3	4	3	1	1
sp	1	3	4	1	3
rp	5	5	3	2	2
rp	5	1	2	1	1
	51	53	48	38	25

Point-Breakdown:

*Obviously, this is a very basic statistical way (almost a weight system) of ranking the NL East, but still feasible. Those not ranked, still received 1 pt for the contingent positions. The above system ranks each team as follows: Phillies (53pts) Mets (51pts) Braves (48pts) Marlins (38pts) and of course lastly, the Nationals (25pts). So here, the Phillies rank 1^st. However, there are definitely contingencies this year, such as how the Braves play against the Phillies. They were 4-14 against the Phillies last year. The Braves rotation with Lowe, Vazquez, Kawakami, and Hanson later on in the season, will be much much better, and their offense should pick up quite a bit as well. Most Importantly – The Mets. They had the 3^rd most blown saves last season with 29 (Both the Cardinals and Mariners had 31). The additions by subtractions and additions by great additions/call-ups (Krod, Putz, Sean Green, Brian Stokes, Bobby Parnell) should subtract at least 15 of those 29 blown saves – and probably many more!!! All three referenced NL East teams need to watch out for the Marlins, but I don’t think they have the bullpen and rotation depth to compete for 162 games in the 2^nd best division in the Major Leagues for 2009.

Mets Trade Rumors:

*Lastly, there will always be trade rumors throughout the season, and at the deadline. It may be more intense this year than last due to the economy, and some non-competing teams may be very willing to rid of their expensive talent. I think the Mets will be big players in a sundry of discussions – mainly with the Blue Jays, Mariners, and potentially the Padres. I think Erik Bedard (sp) along with Jose Lopez (2b), Roy Halladay (sp), as well as Jake Peavy(sp) would be fantastic additions after Johan Santana in the Mets Rotation. Another interesting difference this year, can be the Mets POTENTIAL willingness to trade Fernando Martinez, the Mets top OF prospect since they found a stud in Daniel Murphy. I think an offer like Fernando Martinez(of), Jon Niese(sp), and either a Reese Haven(ss) or Brad Holt(p) + Nick Evans (of) could potentially help us land a Roy Halladay or Erik Bedard. If we can land Jose Lopez for 2b along with Erik Bedard, I don’t see how the Mets wouldn’t easily win the NL East.

Mets Roster Additions:

*I think Sheffield was actually a good right-handed bat of the bench for the New York Mets, and

can be a great platoon with Ryan Church (left-handed). Livan Hernandez/sp just won’t be effective anymore, and the Mets should attempt to woo Pedro Martinez for 1 year at 2.5 million.

*2009 NL East Projections: (Honestly I think the Phillies and Braves are Interchangeable)

1- New York Mets (91-71)

2- Philadelphia Phillies (88-74) – WC

3- Atlanta Braves (87-75)

4- Florida Marlins (85-77)

5- Washington Nationals (63-99)

*Very Early 2009 MLB Playoffs Projections:

Mets vs. Dodgers

Phillies vs. Cubs

NL Championship: Mets vs. Cubs

WS Championship: Mets vs. Red Sox

WS Champions: Red Sox

AL Championship: Boston vs. Yankees

Red Sox vs. Angels

Yankees (WC) vs. Twins

Did You Know:

Did you know in college, Mike Lieberthal had a Homerun Cycle – He hit a grand slam, a 3-run homerun, a 2-run homerun, and a solo shot.  I read this on the back on his 1991 Topps Rookie Card! Amazing!!!

Did you know – The founder of this Site, Jeff Gross’, Favorite player was [LAD/TEX/ANA/TOT/CHC/SEA/SAN/FLA Pitcher] Ismael Valdez. Fantastic.

Also Fantasy-eers – Don’t forget Brandon Inge/c-3b on the Tigers is eligible at CATCHER! But make sure you have Pujol’s avg on the team, b/c Inge will hurt that badly!

RIP Nick Adenhart. Best wishes to the Angels (no corny joke), his friends, and most importantly, his family.

Well the Mets gave us a little scare yesterday but held on to win thanks to the efforts of the Mets Offense, and a break or two at the end of the game…

To start things off, Pelfrey was shaky. Very Shaky. 4 Runs in the first kind of shaky. HE did not keep that up for long though…he totally redeemed himself in the following innings. He buckled down and simply shut the door on the offense for the next 4 innings +

The offense showed up as well, Beltran and Delgado had great days at the plate, and they had contributions from many others as well. Overall is was a sound offensive performance for the most part.

K-Rd gave us a bit of a scare in the 9′th…a bases loaded jam was ended by a deep, deep fly ball that could have very well been a game ender, and not in a good way for the Mets. All in all the Mets hung on and are now 2-0. Plain and simple a win is a win. The Mets will go for the sweep today against the Reds at 1:00 EST. Let go Mets!!!

Mets: Pelfrey won neither of his two starts against the Reds last season, losing one. He was more effective in the loss, at Shea Stadium — two runs, both earned, in six innings — than he was at Great American Ball Park in a no-decision the Mets won. The Reds scored five runs in seven innings, producing three of the 12 home runs he allowed all season in a five-inning sequence. Today will be different though, Pelfrey is becoming a more mature pitcher and in this Mets fans’ opinion, he will a breakout season in 2009.

Reds: Volquez had a breakout season in his first year with the Reds, making the All-Star team and finishing in the National League top 10 in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He did seem to tire in the second half, with a 4.60 ERA after the break (2.29 in the first half). The key for him is command and cutting down his 93 walks from a year ago will allow him to be more efficient and pitch deeper into games. He was terrific in camp this spring, allowing just one run in 19 innings.

The Mets won their season opener against the Reds. Plain and simple I really enjoyed (as always) watching Johan pitch, he gave the Mets a strong 5 1/3 and then the bullpen came in to close the deal, without allowing a hit.

Like many Mets fans, I was super impressed with the bullpen, and of course Daniel Murphy. Driving in both Mets runs (1 with a homer) he propelled the Mets to victory on the offensive side of the game. Also, you can call me selfish…but I wanted a close game today. I wanted to see the one-two punch that is Putz – Krod. They looked good, especially K-Rod. I expect to see the same result throughout this season.

Overall, it was a good game to watch, good defense, good pitching and an overall good way to start the season (Especially for this Mets fan!)

Looking forward to Game 2!

Hello All,

I received an awesome email from a loyal site visitor yesterday. I feel it fits into the current mood perfectly, so I wanted to post it right here for you all to see!

It is my understanding that as a supposed tribute to Jackie Robinson,
Bud Selig is permitting the use of Jackie Robinson\’s number by major
league players.  But on a memorable occasion in 1997, he pledged to
tens of thousands of listeners at Shea Stadium with Mrs. Robinson and
President Clinton standing right there that no major league player
would ever wear that number.  That pledge is a greater and well
deserved honor for Robinson.  It is an honor bestowed on no other
player.  I believe that that honor should be reinstated now at the
opening of the 2009 season.

Read below and let major league baseball know what you think.

The year 1997 marked the 50th anniversary of that great moment when
Robinson first walked out on a major league field.  I was sitting in
my club, George\’s, the luncheonette across the street from my office
on Cutter Mill Road in Great Neck, reading that on that very evening,
during the game at Shea Stadium, the home of the Mets (a pale
imitation of the Dodgers), the anniversary would be marked by
President Bill Clinton, Mrs. Robinson and the President of Major
League Baseball, Bud Selig.  Robinson had retired in 1957 and had died
in 1972.  I tried to interest about half a dozen people into going to
the game and ceremony but the notice was too short for them to change
their plans.

I felt that I had to be there.  It was a fulfillment of my theory
that that there are times when one more warm-blooded person makes a
difference.  Just being there is important.  Even though there may be
no other role to play, adding one more person sends a message.
Especially since the newspaper had predicted less than a sell out
event.

I drove alone to Shea Stadium that evening, bought a good seat, and
participated in history.  It was night. The field was brilliantly lit.
The stadium looked full to me.  Police officers were stationed at
every aisle between the steeply pitched seats, their backs to the
field, scanning the crowd.  Even with that protection, I thought it
courageous for the president to walk out, only with Mrs. Robinson and
Selig, to the pitcher\’s mound, to speak to the assembled tens of
thousands, his body more clearly delineated than it would have been
even in bright sunlight.

What made history that night were not the words of Bill Clinton or
Mrs. Robinson.  They performed well and said what would have been
expected.  What came next was what was probably the most emotional
moment in baseball history since Lou Gherig called himself the
luckiest man on the face of the earth in his Yankee Stadium farewell
to baseball and to life.

The president of the major leagues called the attention of the over
50,000 present to the left field wall at the end of the foul line
extending from home plate to third base and beyond.  There were listed
the names of the outstanding Brooklyn Dodger ballplayers whose numbers
were retired, the numbers they wore on their baseball uniforms would
never again be worn by a Dodger.  The likes of Pee Wee Reese and Duke
Snider and Roy Campanella and Sandy Koufax.

Then he asked that Jackie Robinson’s number be unveiled.  In fact,
Robinson’s number had been retired since 1972 so that his number,
too, could not be worn by any Dodger.  Then Selig intoned words that
had never been spoken before.  Number 42, Jackie Robinson’s number,
he said, would never be worn again by any player on any team in the
major leagues.  That honor was never given to any ballplayer before
nor has it been since Jackie Robinson was honored in that way on that
night.

Let’s keep that pledge.