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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!

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I have to say, the last thing in the world any Mets dan wanted to hear is the word “scratch”  after the name Johan Santana. The elbow certainly provided an un-needed scare to the Mets fans of the world.

It was great to see that he threw some pitches today, fast balls, about 35 of them. A welcomed sight to this Mets fan sore eyes!

I will make sure to keep you all up to date on the progress of the Ace for the New York Mets….

Until Next Time,

Happy Blogging!

Well, this is it, the number one move Minaya has ever (and will ever) pull off for the NY Mets…the acquisition of a certain ex Minnesota Twin (Sorry Aaron – Twins Author)…of course you all know it’s Mr. Johan Santana.

By trading for the (then) 28 year old left hand pitching machine, often considered one of the top 3 pitchers in all of baseball, Minaya had really outdone himself.

At the time of the acquisition, the Mets really needed a “Pick-Me-Up” after their historic collapse of the season prior.  The fans demanded something dramatic, and they got it in the form of Johan.

The Mets agreed to send young outfielder Carlos Gomez plus pitching prospects Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra to Minnesota. Ok, so I did like Gomez, but I like Santana just a little (I mean just a very little) more than him.

Talking about Santana as a 2 time Cy Young winner seems to underestimate his achievements. He brings an energy like the Mets haven’t seen since the likes of Doc and Tom. His presence alone makes watching each and every start he makes a true pleasure. Win or lose, he battles and competes like no other in the sport of baseball.

Even though they collapsed again last season, the Mets gave me something to watch. I had the honor (As did many) of seeing the Santana Gem towards the end of the season when the Mets needed it most. I can only imagine what Gems this Ace will produce for the next few years for the Mets.

I honestly believe Santana might have edged out Lincecum if the bullpen would have help even 3 more games for him in the season. Well, what’s done is done, this year is a whole new ballgame (pun intended).

So hat’s off to you Minaya, you have done some really great things in your tenure as Mets GM, keep it up! For all of you loyal Mets readers, I am going to follow this up with a position by position break down of your (and my) 2009 New York Metropolitans.

Until next time, Happy Blogging, and Lets Go Mets in 2009! Shop New York Mets Fan Gear

 

If there was one thing the Mets really, really needed it was the solidification of their weak bullpen of 2008. As a Mets fan, I was disgusted with the number of late inning leads blown throughout the 2008 season. Looking back on it, I remember myself dreading innings 6-9 each and every day I watched them play. This has changed though, and in my opinion, it changed a great deal. (Keywords…Great Deal ) 

The Mets signed K-Rod to a three-year, $37 million deal this offseason to become their closer, then completed a 12-player trade with the Mariners and Indians as well. That deal netted them Putz, reliever Sean Green and outfielder Jeremy Reed in exchange for Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Joe Smith and four Minor Leaguers.

Minaya Said: 

To get one closer like Frankie would have been a good winter. I think to get two guys like this is a great winter. And that being said, we’re not done yet.

I couldn’t agree more. We all know K-Rod is quite capable of finishing out games. Granted, those games were with the Angles, but I feel the same or similar opportunities will present themselves here with the Mets in 2009. The same goes for Putz, although he is used to closing as well, I feel he will adjust well to the new role as setup man or a top 3 closer in baseball, K-Rod.

So, way to go Minaya! This falls into the number 2 slot in his top 5 moves by Minaya. Coming soon…the number one pickup for Minaya…I am sure you can all guess whats coming.

Until next time, Happy Blogging!

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Ok, so moving on from # 5 – The Lack of Zito – we move to something Minaya did act on. The acquisition of Oliver Perez from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Another huge steal came as Minaya traded Nady for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez.  The Pirates had given up on Perez, but he’s already back to form with the Mets. Three-fifths of the current rotation came via shrewd trading by Minaya.

Ok, Ok…I know Nady is pretty solid, but we all know a (sometimes) tough lefty is a seriously valuable asset as a starter. Oliver Perez fits this bill perfectly. Although he is somewhat unpredictable, when he is on, he is simply a nightmare for opposing teams all over the NL (and AL ☺ )

In 2007 Oliver Perez went 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA and in 2008 Perez went 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA. Although these numbers are not overwhelming, they are still winning numbers, and I feel they will continue to get better. I feel that the Mets new pitching coach has already started to reach Perez, and that he will surpass the 15 win mark this season.

Anyways, that’s it for now, stay tuned for number 3!

Not again…As a Mets fan, I am truly sick and tired of seemingly empty threats! “We Are the team to beat!” Mr. Beltran made that very clear last season as well. He had it backwards…the Mets were the “Team to be beaten”. So in comes K-Rod…who I must say I am very excited to watch this season, proclaiming the very same thing.

Here is the problem with this statement. You are clearly aiming these words at the reigning champs, The Philadelphia Phillies. We already know that this team responds to these bulletin board threats, so why start this already?

As a lifetime Mets fan, I have learned one thing, there are never any locks or guarantees! Just play the game, and prove it on the field. Come August and September, I really hope the Mets are looking down on the Marlins, Braves, and yes…even the Phillies, but until that time, I don’t want to hear it! Save it for the field K-Rod!