Section Six, Mets

Great Seats at Citi Field

sectionsixmets — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:25:00 -0400

I tell you what, being a Mets fan is expensive! First, talk about a potential jinx, I got the email this week about buying my season seats for the post-season. I know there is not an easy way to do this, but I hate reading this email, paying for the tickets and then receiving the actual ticket to the World Series. Not only is it a jinx but it is an absolute tease. These things are also damn expensive!

I also received the seat location at Citi Field next year. I could not be happier with where they put us. Right on the railing above the third base bag, promenade level. I am going to miss the orange, blue, green and red seats....replaced by the sexier names like promenade level. So, the seats are fantastic, right on the railing and the brothers and I could not be happier. The Mets also want about $600 to hold the seats, which isn't so bad if you consider the PSL issues with the Giants and Jets. The issue is that the seats climb to insane prices. Damn, a bit shocking, but I guess not really, we all knew it was coming.

Securing new seats in a state of the art baseball stadium: $600

Paying for post-season tickets and jinxing the whole thing: $2600

Having two season tickets first row at Citi Field: $6000

Getting your heart ripped out and stomped on from being a Mets fan: Priceless

Bring On the Phillies

sectionsixmets — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:31:00 -0400

Wow, nice road trip. Finishing 6-2 against the Phillies, Marlins and Brewers, I really like how that played out. I don't want to put more emphasis on this series than needs to, but this upcoming weekend series with the Phillies is quite big. With about three weeks left in the season any cushion the Mets can get is huge. I will be there Friday and Saturday, looking forward to a playoff atmosphere and welcoming the boys home.

So, get your asses out to Shea this weekend and cheer on the Mets. This might be the last most important regular season series left at Shea. If you need incentive, take a look at this YouTube video.

By the way, welcome back Ryan Church, huge grand slam today in the top of the first.

Red Sox Nation, Nantucket

sectionsixmets — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:56:00 -0400

I just returned from an amazing Labor Day weekend in Nantucket. I have to say, it is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. Nothing Mets related was seen on this trip as I was smack in the middle of Red Sox Nation. Hats, t-shirts, flags, jerseys everywhere for the Sox. Not one Yankees hat was seen. I had to laugh to myself when reading about the Yankees getting smoked and playing terrible baseball in the middle of Red Sox Nation. Jon Heyman from SI.com wrote a great article as to Why the Yankees Are Done. This was all even sweeter when I read the Mets took 2 of 3 from the Marlins and continued to play solid baseball. We are going to have to accept the fact that the bullpen is going to blow some games and they are going to hold/save some games. Let's just hope that at the end of September the Mets will be ahead by a few games.

I am ready for September baseball at Shea. Let's go win the Pennant!

Wow, Mets vs. Phillies

sectionsixmets — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:28:00 -0400

As gross as I felt last night after that pathetic loss, I am sitting here laughing my ass off right now watching the Mets come back. Charlie Manuel, what are you thinking, bring Lidge in with 2 outs, horrible call. Carlos Delgado, how you have put us through such an up and down year. Great night so far, 2 home runs, and a huge one to tie it. Daniel Murphy, clutch hit young fella. Brian Schneider, way to find a spot to drop a base hit, huge insurance runs. We are definitely going to need them with our bull pen. What makes it feel even better is that there are so many Mets fans in Philly tonight, it sounds like a home game.

It is going to be a wild ride this September. Let's hope we can hold on to the lead tonight.

Oh, by the way, who else hates Shane Victorino and that stupid double flap helmet. I may dislike him more that Larry.

(While I am writing this D.Wright made a sick play on Victorino)

Where In the World Are the Mets

sectionsixmets — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:09:00 -0400

I have been traveling a lot lately, thankfully it has been for vacation and not work. Unfortunately all of this travel has made me miss Mets games recently. What an up and down ride this team is on. I can't even take it this bullpen by committee.

Two weeks ago I was away in Nags Head North Carolina. A few weeks before that I traveled with my friends Brian and James to Iceland. If you ever get the chance to go to this country I highly recommend it. The nightlife was absolutely insane and the outdoor adventures were sick. I would go back there in a heartbeat. I didn't see any Mets gear in Iceland, nor did I see any Yankee gear. Not like my experience in Stockholm where H&M sold Yankee hats. We did see one tourist with a Red Sox hat.

The three of us brought our gloves away with us, we wanted to have a catch at different cool landscapes. Click on the pictures or visit my Iceland album. It was an amazing adventure.

This week I am away to Bermuda, one of the people going is a Mets fan, so I am sure we will find ourselves sneaking away to watch them play. Maybe I can recreate my Corona/Mets beach commercial.....

Road Trip, Reds vs. Nationals, Washington, DC

sectionsixmets — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:14:00 -0400

I recently visited friends in DC and went to a Nationals game. As you read a few months back, my friend Kevin who lives in DC provided a game review of opening night. I went with him to a game, and what a treat it was. When I lived in DC I mentioned that the only thing missing was having a baseball team. To go see this new stadium and watch baseball there was a great feeling.

My first thoughts of this stadium was that it is really small. Nationals Park holds 41,222. CitiField will hold 45,000 fans. I think that we are all going to be in for a shock to see how small CitiField when we first see it. The good news, there wasn't a bad seat in the house and the sight lines were fantastic. Nationals Park is still having the finishing touches being put on, they definitely threw this stadium up quickly, even the parking garages above ground were a decision based on getting them built as soon as possible. The video scoreboard is absolutely insane! It is strange to say this, but all the new stadiums feel so cookie cutter. I hope CitiField holds its own unique charm.

Anyway, the game was won by the Nationals 10-6. Painful game to watch, but cool stadium to visit.

NIKE New York City 1/2 Marathon

sectionsixmets — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:43:00 -0400

At 5:00 am today I made my way to Central Park for the NIKE 1/2 Marathon. What an amazing race. After a full loop of Central Park, the course takes you down 7th Avenue right into the heart of New York City, Times Square. From here we banged a right onto 42nd Street to the West Side Highway where we made a left to finish the final 4 miles to Battery Park City. This was just another day of training until the November 2nd Marathon. Right now I am sitting on my couch watching Johan pitch an amazing game.

Anyway, the Mets tie-in is two fold. First, this race almost didn't happen for me. You'll notice my last game review came on Tuesday night against the Phillies. Well, at this game I had one of those great Shea sausages. As it turns out something did not agree with me. The next day I had full food poisoning, low grade fever and just some nasty stuff going on (I'll spare the details). I ended up feeling pretty bad until Friday morning, when I had my first real meal of the week. So, thanks to the Shea sausage I almost didn't make it to this race. Also, as we were crossing the start line the MC of the event from channel 7 gave some well deserved props the "first place Mets". It was a nice little thing to hear as I started a 13.1 mile run.

Let's Go Mets!!!!

By the way, I finished in 1 hour and 56 minutes, just a bit over my goal, but was happy with the result, a nice warm-up for November.

Game Review, July 22, 2008, Phillies vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:52:00 -0400

Terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible loss. I really don't know what else to say. Johan rose to the challenge tonight, he had been called out by fans and reporters, and he pitched one hell of a game. I question the Manuel move, I thought Johan had enough gas left in the tank to finish out the game. Did he really want it, especially knowing Wagner was unavailable. If the Mets had gotten a rally started in the bottom of the 8th, then I definitely see pinch hitting for Johan, but brining up Argenis Reyes in that position to pinch hit was a waste. In my opinion, Johan is your $20 million man, you throw his ass out there to close out the win and secure first place for the Mets. Yes, Johan pitched like an Ace tonight. Yes, he may have had nothing left in the tank. Yes, the Mets bullpen needed only three outs. Yes, Endy was thrown out twice at home with no outs. From this fans point of view there was some terrible decisions made tonight, but hindsight is 20/20.

What a fantastic crowd on hand tonight, almost a sell-out. Great to see this for an August Tuesday night game. The crowd was into it, and I felt a little stadium bounce when David Wright hit his RBI double in the LF corner. I've been waiting for the Shea faithful to show up this year. Wagner kinda called out the Mets fans earlier in the week, and I do think we responded. The Mets totally outplayed the Phillies tonight, it is a shame that it didn't show in the final score. I had my Yankee fan friend Jason with me, and he was even into this game. Johan, dominant. Mets offense was clicking. Manuel, questionable move. Mets bullpen, disgraceful.

Let's take the final 2 of this series, the pitching match-ups look great.

Road Trip (sorta), Home Run Derby, Yankee Stadium

sectionsixmets — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:56:00 -0400

I was lucky to score tickets to the Home Run Derby this week. I have only been to Yankee Stadium three times, and here are my memories:

- Sitting behind home plate to see Roger Clemens pitch against the Yankees as a member of the Red Sox. I went with a childhood friend, Jeff, and we had great seats, 10 rows behind home plate. This was my first experience watching pro baseball outside of Shea Stadium as a kid, and I remember that I felt "icky".
- Going to a game with a few childhood friends that I played baseball with and our fathers. Again, I remember not feeling so comfortable being at Yankee Stadium, no matter how much everyone talked about the history of the stadium. I was just never that excited to go see the Yankees play, well not nearly as excited as going to Shea Stadium to see my Mets.
- Sitting first row along the RF line with my brother Dave in 2004 for a Mets 9-3 over the Yankees. I remember thinking how deadly the Yankees line-up was then, and how horrible Al Leiter pitched in the first inning.

So, back to the Home Run Derby. This blog entry starts and finishes with Josh Hamilton. What an amazing story, where he came from, what he has battled back from, just amazing. Man, he was hitting absolute BOMBS. By the 9th or 10th moon shot, the crowd started chanting "Hamilton, Hamilton, Hamilton", he won over Yankee Stadium in about 20 minutes. I have three videos that I put on You Tube part 1 part 2 part 3 (I suggest you select under "views" watch in high quality) .

Overall it was a good experience. I still get the same icky feeling when I go to Yankee Stadium. I have to admit that history aside, I like Shea Stadium infinitely more. Can't wait to get back to Queens next week to watch the red hot mets square off against the Phillies, bring it on!

Best Seats Ever: Game Review, July 11, 2008, Rockies vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:42:00 -0400

One of Catherine's clients threw out the first pitch tonight. A few text messages and phone calls later we were sitting first row behind home plate in what I can only describe as the best seats I have ever sat in for a professional baseball game. If you get a chance to watch the highlights online, you can see us sitting there the entire game. And yes, I did flinch like a little bitch when a foul ball came off and back to the screen. I always thought to myself that I would never flinch if I ever had the chance to sit behind home plate, but being first row it is quite a different experience. It was funny, we had text messages and phone calls from people who saw us on TV, but I tried very hard to "act like I have been there before" and not be the guy who is on his phone all game and waving at the camera.

On top of these great seats, we sell one hell of a game. Ollie walked a bunch of guys, but he pitched fantastic. It is amazing to sit behind the plate and see how hard these guys throw and what sick movement they get. I thought it was difficult to follow the game from these vantage point. It was hard to see feel the development of plays and see the positioning of the defense. What can you say about Damion Easley, the Mets bench players continue to produce in big situations. Billy Wagner, lights out, he is also getting back on a nice little roll. This whole team is clicking at the right time. I really can not explain the energy and the experience from sitting right on top of the field, just amazing.

Great crowd, electric. Another win, 8 in a row. It has been a pleasure to watch the Mets over the past week. I look forward to the second half of the season and keeping this roll going.

As Willie Would Have Said "A Nice Little Roll"

sectionsixmets — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:23:00 -0400

Well, we are on a nice little roll right now. I will be going to the game tonight and I have to admit it is the first time since Opening Day that I have looked forward to going to a game. There is life back at Shea. I read the comments by Billy Wagner this morning and it definitely seems like there is a breath of fresh air in the Mets locker room, thanks to Jerry Manuel.

I was out with a bunch of Mets fans last night and we were talking about potential directions Omar takes the team before the deadline. It was almost unanimous that they don't bring in Bonds, however, as big of a critic I have been of his, I wouldn't mind seeing him in the lineup. Disastrous on defense but would add a nice bat to the middle of the order. My friend Steve wondered if the big Sexy, Richie Sexson was worth picking up. Should the Mets go after Adam Dunn. How much would the X-man cost in prospects? This much is true, the Mets will not win the Pennant with Fernando Tatis in LF. As much as I am on the Tatis bandwagon and as clutch as he has been, I just don't see him as a season long option as a starter and continuing to be productive. If we are counting on Tatis to win games for us in September, then something had gone very wrong.

Hope everyone who can make it to Shea tonight can. I have a feeling it will be a great crowd full of energy to help push the Mets closer to first place. Now we just pray that Ollie shows up!

Game Review, July 8, 2008, Giants vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:22:00 -0400

Welcome home boys. Hard to believe that only a few weeks ago every Mets fan, myself included, was ripping this team apart. I noticed tonight at the game that there was definitely a different buzz in the crowd. First of all there was actually a great crowd on hand, not the typical "no-shows" which have inaccurately inflated attendance all year long. You could feel that the Shea faithful was happy to see its Mets come home, in support of a strong road trip. Can you believe where we are sitting right now in the standings? What the Mets need to do is continue to get stronger and sting as many wins together as possible before the All Star break (which I may be getting tickets for, fingers crossed).

Rick and I went to the game tonight and we were excited to see a good match-up between two young pitchers, Tim Lincecum and Mike Pelfrey. Thanks to a Carlos Beltran first inning three run home run, the Mets went out to an early lead. Pelfrey looked absolutely dominant over his 7 innings pitched. He finally looks like he is comfortable, and I am wondering how much that has to do with Peterson being gone. Pelfrey was hitting the zone all night long and was working rather quickly. Is this our future potential number 1? Fernando Tatis, what can you say about this guy, he continues to get hits in big spots and is doing the little things (like breaking up a double play to keep a big inning going in Philly). I like the Jerry Manuel reward system, if you are playing well you are going to start. Manuel has done a good job mixing things up and putting the Mets in a position to win.

Well, I don't know what else to say other than the Mets played a very "clean" game and won 7-0. Clutch hitting. Strong pitching. Solid defense. Keep it up guys.

NYC Marathon, November 2, 2008

sectionsixmets — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:18:00 -0400

On November 2nd I will be running in the ING New York City Marathon. I've been training since January and my first test will be the NYC Nike 1/2 Marathon on July 27th.

I will be running as a member of Team for Kids Charity. This organization helps NYRR deliver running-based fitness programs to 25,000 at-risk school children each week in New York and a handful of other cities. These programs are run by trained volunteers who help kids learn to run, eat well, and set and achieve fitness and health goals.

There are a few things that I want to get across with this blog entry:

1) If the Mets win the Pennant this year, I will run the Marathon with a Mr. Met doll (or other Mets product) strapped to my hip.

2) I am half-way to my donation goal, but If you choose to donate money to Team for Kids in support of me, I will provide you with 2 tickets to a Mets game (limited number and select games available). If you do decide to donate, here are the details:

Follow the link to the TFK page on the ING New York City Marathon 2008 page:
https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2008/donations.htm

Be sure to have all donations list my ING NYC Marathon entry number (273835) and last name (Miles). All contributions are tax-deductible; you'll receive acknowledgment from NYRR in the mail.

3) If you simply want to follow my progress, you can join my public Facebook group.

Game Review, June 28, 2008, Yankees vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:20:00 -0400

What a day for baseball and what a pitching match-up. Johan vs. Pettite. Today I went to the game with my other brother Dave. We ended up driving to the game and got there about 1 1/2 hours early. Our plan was to tailgate and have a catch. Today's game definitely had a different vibe than last night's game, much more fan friendly. Dave and I had a great time prior to the game, but I felt bad. Dave has a son that is 4 years old and he is a huge Mets and David Wright fan. When his son found out that he was going to the game, he started crying and wanted to know why he couldn't go too. Finally when Dave was leaving the house his son said "Daddy, catch a ball for me". Well, Dave had to the chance to bring home a souvenir for his son during the 6th inning t-shirt launch, but he dropped it. Terrible, terrible hands.

When Dave and I went to Mets games as kids, my father would always as the ticket collector what the expected crowd was for that game. That tradition has always stuck with Dave and myself and we laughed when we realized that we both ask as the same question today when we enter the stadium. We were told that today they were expected 56,000 and change. Nice crowd for a Saturday game.

After two rain delays and a very sloppy played game (Johan's balk and Reyes getting picked off), the Mets could only pull 2 runs.

Notes from the game:
- I am all for booing a visiting teams player, but how can you boo Jeter. As much as I don't like the Yankees, I can't bring myself to boo this guy. I love watching him warm up prior to a game, he starts with a short catch down the foul line and keeps backing up all the way down the line tossing. It is quite impressive to see him long toss from LF from 275' out too a crowded home plate area.
- Another flyover today, love the flyover. Solid National Anthem by Glenn Close.
- Between innings the Mets have some pretty lame entertainment. Maine Street USA? Dancing on the dugout? The ones that always are a favorite of mine are the Kiss Cam and the t-shirt launch, which as I noted above Dave dropped a t-shirt today. At the end of the first they play the classic Meet the Mets song, fantastic. This should be kept in the new stadium.
- I have made comments about buying and wearing baseball jerseys to Mets game. I saw a very unique one today. Sitting in the section below us was a couple, the women on the left was wearing a David Wright jersey, to her right was her boyfriend/husband wearing a Mets jersey that said Wrong on the back with the number 5 backwards. I have to give them credit for that.
- Johnny Damon not only has a wet noodle for an arm, he throws like a girl. The ball boy that warms him up between innings actually threw better than him. In the 8th however, Damon made a sick play in the gap on a ball hit by Wright. Saved the game for the Yankees, but his throw back to the second base bag got there on three bounces.
- Reyes, what are you doing getting picked off! Are you kidding me. Your hottest hitter is up and there are two outs. What are you trying to prove. Just terrible. Equally as bad was Beltran's Golden Sombrero, 0-4 4 k's.
- After the second rain delay when we went back to our seats there was a good four inches of water in the section. This stadium can't get taken down quick enough.

Johan did his job. David Wright hit the crap out of the ball and had a huge HR after the rain delay, but this team is really punchless. Did you think they actually had a chance when the lineup was completed and you had Trot Nixon, Andy Phillips and Fernando Tatis getting ABs? Once Rivera came out this game was over. Church and Alou can't get back fast enough.

Game Review, June 27, 2008, Yankees vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:13:00 -0400

I really wanted to experience a double header at both Yankee and Shea Stadium in the same day. What an amazing thing to say that you did, and in the final year of both stadiums. Unfortunately they decided to have the double header on a Friday. Oh well, had to sell my tickets for the day game, but was very happy to know the Mets won.

Every year we look forward to the Yankees/Mets series, but I feel that it is getting kinda old. I have to also admit that each year the series gets more and more rowdy. My observation of this started on the LIRR train to the game. Mets and Yankee fans squeezed into each car and jawing at each other. I am not talking about the general banter, but guys getting in each others faces....on the train! Come on now. At the stadium there seemed to be a lot of riff-raff. I don't get it, why is it necessary for drunk dudes to yell obscenities and make the experience for everyone miserable. I tell you this, if I had a child I would NEVER bring them to this series. Inside the stadium there were fights, and just general anger. Why do certain people go to a game just to get into fights. Why do they spend good money on tickets and beers to try to be as big of an ass hole as possible? I just don't get it. Maybe it is a good thing that the new stadium will be 14,000 people less and much more expensive, maybe the riff-raff will be priced out of Citi Field. Now I know that the few bad do not make up the majority, but this was the most rowdy that I have seen a crowd at Shea Stadium. I ended up talking with a Security guard who said that over 220 people were ejected. Just unreal. Yelling, cheering, getting loud at a game is one thing, but getting so out of control that you are ejected is just idiotic.

Well, onto the game, which was not that great of one. I went with my brother Jack and we had a good time. It is nice to have a playoff atmosphere. Pedro was very underwhelming and the Mets offense left so many runners on base. This team just can't put teams away. A few base hits here and there over the first half of the season and we are talking about an over .500 team. Here are some other things that Jack and I noticed discussed during the game:
- Delgado had a very loud standing ovation, which was well deserved after his 9 RBI day game. However, after the standing ovation he was booed after striking out with the bases loaded. Unreal.
- Sidney Ponson looked like a Cy Young winner tonight. It reminded me of the way David Wells dismantled the Mets on a Sunday night game last year. Was Sidney that good or is the Mets lineup just that bad.
- Castro hit into a rally ending double play which seemed to take all of the life out of the Mets. Where is that fighting instinct?
- Arod is a beast, even from the Mezzanine he looks like Andre the Giant.
- Giambi and his stache, unreal. Very unique, but it does not compare to Mex's.
- Chavez had a few plays at the plate, for a skinny guy he has an absolute cannon.

Other than that, the Mets seemed to be in trouble all night long, the game never seemed to be in their control. It seems that Pedro's second time through the line-up continues to get worse and worse. Hopefully he'll make a few adjustments and come back next time stronger.

Keith Hernandez: Dragon Slayer, June 24, 2008, Mariners vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:14:00 -0400

I didn't go to the game tonight, but my friend Jason (the hot shot TV executive) and his friend did. I am happy to say that I missed this game, although it appears Jason and his friend provided some much needed comic relief:

"I had the terrible misfortune of being at Tuesday night's embarrassing 11-0 loss to the lowly Seattle Mariners. The Mets were just plain bad. They made a guy named Dickey look like Cy Young. He got a big hit too, but I guess we should really be happy he didn't hit a grand slam. Those AL pitchers are tough at the plate. Anyway, outside of great tantrums by Manuel and Beltran, the game isn't worth talking about. But there was one memorable moment.... for anyone sitting within a couple hundred feet of section 25 in the loge.

I went to the game with my co-worker Frank, who has a season ticket package. He is a complete Mets geek. He has forgotten more about this team than most people ever learn. He also has a perfect Queens accent. And he is really loud. I mean really really really loud. It goes well with the Lenny Dykstra jersey he had on. So it's the middle of the 6th inning and the game is over already. Many fans have already left. On the scoreboard, they play a Keith Hernandez highlight reel full of big hits and sensational glove work. Then they come to a live shot of Mex waving in the booth. The fans who are still there go nuts. And then Frank stands up and starts yelling. So EVERYONE can hear him.

"Keith, I love you! I'd kill for one player with half the heart you had."

A few people laugh. Frank gets even louder.

"It's really sad when the only highlight all game is a circus play our BROADCASTER made against the Cardinals back in 1987. That's what we have to cheer about."

More people laugh. And there are a bunch of kids looking at Frank like he is completely off the reservation.

"Hey kids, you see how bad the Mets are now? (kids all nod yes) Well that's how GOOD Keith was. He could catch anything. He caught a bullet in his teeth once. Ask your dads. It's true."

Now our section is roaring with laughter. But Frank's not done yet.

"One time a dragon showed up at Shea. Keith slayed it, then went 3 for 4."

I chime in as loud as I can... "and the one out he made- he was robbed."

Frank continues.... getting louder with every word.

"Keith beat the Nazis in World War 2. Then he flew the Enola Gay. Keith can do anything."

The entire section and now people in neighboring sections are in tears they are laughing so hard. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it at a game. The parents were laughing. The kids were laughing. Guys, girls, even the little old ladies sitting in front of us... they're all laughing. Nothing I can write can even begin to do the story justice.

And the best part? Frank doesn't drink. Not a drop. But everyone sitting down the right field line in the loge had to have thought he was loaded. Hey, at least they had SOMETHING to smile about.

Oh... and there was that dumb stunt Frank pulled as he got off the F train at Roosevelt Island that made 2 girls stare at me like I'm a molester. I was humiliated. But I don't even want to get into that."

Sweeping Willie Under the Rug

sectionsixmets — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:40:00 -0400

It pains me to be a New York Mets fan today. I woke up today on my 32nd birthday and read an email from my friend in London (+6 hours) who said Willie had been fired. What!!! Who has their manager travel to the West Coast, win a ball game (4 out of the last 6), and fire him at 3:00 am EST? It is like they just swept him under the rug, hoping that nobody would notice in the middle of the night.

Why do the Mets continue to run their organization with such a lack of class? Why do they have such a lack of business sense? Seriously, making business decisions at Shea is an absolute disaster which is unprofessional and classless. Listen, I knew Willie had to go, read my past posts, I wasn't shy about saying it. However, the manner in which it was done was absolutely appalling. I am not proud to be a Mets fan today. I can only imagine how Clown #1, Omar Minaya, is going to handle hiring the new manager.

If the Mets organization can't handle the simple task of firing somebody, imagine how they are going to handle season tickets and plans in the new stadium (by the way, the rumor is a 25% increase in ticket prices next year). I am waiting to feel the pain of that process.

You had to go Willie, but not that way. I don't feel bad for you, Willie, you are making some good coin. I wonder how long it will take for you to be in Dodger blue sitting next to Joe Torre.

Tickets For Sale, Rangers Series, June 13-15

sectionsixmets — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:38:00 -0400

Quick note, I have listed on CraigsList tickets for the Rangers series this weekend. All games are below face value or you can give me your best offer. Two tickets together. Follow the links below to each game listing and email me.

Friday June 13th, 7:10 start
Saturday June 14th, 7:10 start
Sunday Father's Day, June 15th, 1:10 start

Will take any offer at this point, I can't use the tickets and will be unable to go to any of the games. Thanks and Let's Go Mets! Huge walk-off win last night, let's keep it going!

Baseball History Through The Eyes of a 94 Year Old

sectionsixmets — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:07:00 -0400

I am so lucky. I still have three of my grandparents who are alive, all over 90 years old. Recently I went with my family to visit my Grandma and Grandpa in West Virginia over Memorial Day Weekend. First off, not a good idea to drive across the state of PA, it took 7 hours to get from New York City to Wheeling, West Virginia.

Albert Iannuzzi is my 94 year old Grandpa who is a life-long Yankees fan and huge follower of baseball. Over the years he has told me many stories of the amazing games he saw and the experiences he had as a New Yorker. It is amazing, because even at the age of 94 he still remember all of the highlights of his youth. My brother and I were determined to find out everything we could about my Grandpa and baseball. Here are just some of the highlights:

- "The Catch"- In 1954 my Grandpa was sitting in the center field seats at the Polo Grounds during Game 1 when Cleveland's Vic Wertz hit a bomb. In what my Grandpa describes as the greatest catch ever that he never saw, it is amazing to hear his description of the play. No way did he think he would make it under the ball. Unfortunately, he actually didn't witness "The Catch", as everyone in his section stood up and blocked his view. He knew it was caught by the roar of the crowd. If you watch the You Tube video above, he was sitting in the section to the right of the center field wall.

- "The Perfect Game"- In over 100 years of World Series games there has only ever been one perfect game, and that would be Don Larsen's 1956 Game 5 performance. My Grandpa had box seats and saw this amazing event, live and in color. To hear him explain what this looked like in color, to see Yogi jump into Larsen's arms after the 27th batter just brings chills to your body. After watching the You Tube video above, imagine siting in box seats with you suit and gentleman's hat watching this piece of baseball history in living color.

- "The Dodgers"- In all of my Grandpa's years as a New York baseball fan, he only went to see the Dodgers play at Ebbets Field once. He didn't like the Dodgers at all, in fact, he also said that their fans were quite rowdy and obnoxious.

- "Bleacher Days"- When my Grandpa was 21 years old in 1935 he would pay 55 cents to watch the Yankees from the bleachers every home day game. He had just finished school and would catch every day game during the summer he could. Imagine that, for 55 cents watching Lou Gehrig play every day.

- "Gehrig and Ruth"- In 1934, Babe Ruth's last year with the Yankees, my Grandpa tells an amazing story that I wish I had the opportunity to witness. Yankees are down by a run in the 9th, Gehrig comes up and hits an absolute bomb to tie the game, next batter up, Babe Ruth, and hits a walk-off home run. Back-to-back, Gehrig and Ruth. Amazing. Grandpa also tells some funny stories of seeing Ruth showing his age in 1934, falling as he tries to run out of the box.

I hope you enjoyed these stories as much as I did. Oh, and my Grandpa, can't stand the Mets!

These Guys Are Pathetic

sectionsixmets — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:53:00 -0400

I had to take five minutes from my Memorial Day Weekend to say this team is officially terrible. Go back and re-read my post after the collapse from last year. You can basically copy and paste and insert here. This Mets team plays boring, uninspired, sloppy, stupid, gutless, emotionless baseball. Fire Willie. Fire Omar. Clean house, because this gang of clowns makes me sick! The last inning the NY Mets played with any emotion was Game 6 in 2006 against the Cardinals. This moment marks when the Mets started to take fall from the ugly tree.

Boy do I wish it was days like this at Shea again. Please Mr. Wilpon, do something to make us makes fans believe you are sick of this brand of baseball, too.

Game Review, May 14, 2008, Mets vs. Nationals

sectionsixmets — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:40:00 -0400

What is going on with the Mets! Okay, so let me get this straight, the below average Reds and Nats come into town and the Mets take 3 of 7!?!? I mean, what is going on. In my mind the corporate manager (see Joe Torre), will not work with this Mets club. For over a year now they have been playing emotionless, gutless, pathetically boring baseball. The responsibility of the manager is to pick your team up and get them to perform. Willie is just not doing the job.

Wednesday I went to the game with my friend Julie, and she was nice enough to provide the game review.....

"Wednesday night, Mets vs. Nationals, coming off of Tuesday’s nights’ 6-3 victory Claudio Vargas is on the mound for the 1^st time after being called up from New Orleans. Let’s just say that Vargas’ first start was probably only memorable to him. The Nats scored 2 runs on 3 hits and Vargas recorded 4 walks and 6 strikeouts in. Vargas had a lackluster 6 1/3 innings and was pulled for, of all people, Aaron Heilman.

Willie’s decision to bring in Heilman was met with boos of disapproval from the crowd and started a rant by Scott on Willie’s managerial skills. I would love to add some of his thoughts here but I’ll admit, I was too busy staring at David Wright to catch all of it. Come on, guys admit it, D. Wright is one good looking guy. You really can’t fault me for taking a few minutes to admire him. I know Scott won’t be casting judgment here since he admitted to having man crushes on both Wright and Ryan Church. Wait, was I not supposed to mention that? Oops, sorry!

Well, the fans turned out to be right about Heilman as he proceeded to let up a home run and 3 base hits before making his one and only out of the game. Good call Willie; way to manage the game. Although I agree that Heilman stinks, I don’t know that I agree with Scott’s claim that he could go 3 for 4 against him in a game. I’m sure you have mad skills Scott, but fantasy camp isn’t quite the big leagues. If you ever get a chance to face him for real, let me know I’m taking the under on hits.

All in all, it was a goodnight out, despite the outcome of the game. Always good to hit up Shea, down a corndog (which are highly underrated, by the way) , a few beers and watch America’s pastime. And if the game stinks, you can always watch David Wright (bonus if he’s wearing eye black. Side note: eye black should be a staple of the baseball uniform. It is wildly attractive and makes any guy look that much hotter.)

Next up for the Metropolitans…the Yankees. They have the beginning of the rotation up Friday with Santana. Let’s hope the Mets can go across town and take 3 from the Yanks to gain some ground in the NL East. I’m off to Vegas tonight for the weekend, so I’ll be watching the subway series from a sportsbook somewhere on the strip. M-e-t-s!"

Game Review, May 10, 2008, Reds vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:49:00 -0400

Doubleheader, nothing better than this on a beautiful day. I with they still planned twilight doubleheaders. I remember going to one back in the early 1992 when the Mets played the Dodgers. Ramon Hernandez faced Dwight Gooden in game 1, and Eddie Murray had a huge game. Boy, those were the days.....

Anyway, I was very excited about seeing Johan pitch for the first time live this year. My friend Rick and I went to the game, took a quick LIRR trip to the game. I had gone for a run early in the morning and had not eaten all day until we got to Shea. Rick and I ended up stuffing our faces with dirty Shea food for the entire game, and washed all that crap down with about 6 over priced beers. Inning one, hotdog. Inning three, sausage. Inning four, peanuts. Inning five, hotdog. Inning seven, Mama's of Corona hot turkey sandwich. I think I would have not eaten so much if the game and atmosphere was so bad. First of all, not selling out on a Saturday afternoon game when Johan is pitching is crazy. You know why.....because the Mets play boring, uninspired baseball. Rick and I both noticed this, the Mets simply don't have that killer instinct.

Well, Johan pitched well. Beltran had an absolute fantasy stud day with five RBI's, I hope this is the start of him hitting a long hot streak. The other Carlos (Delgado that is), also homered, so let's hope this is him picking it up.

We didn't stay for the night game. It just seemed so strange to me that the cleaning crew had to wait for everyone to leave the stadium to clean it up, just so a new round of fans could come in and dirty it up again. Must have been a long day for those guys, props to them.

Going to the World Series

sectionsixmets — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:55:00 -0400

No, not the Major League Baseball World Series (I have a whole other blog ready for why Willie should be fired and how this team hasn't played with any fire, balls or enthusiasm since Endy Chavez catch), but the World Series of Flip Cup in Baltimore this weekend. My Zog Sports football team is taking on the rest of the USA at this amazing event. We have dominated the rest of NYC at flip cup over the past few months, and it is time to show who the real champion is. It is all for a good cause, Cystic Fibrosis, but also very competitive. This You Tube video shows highlights from last years WSoFC. Teams are already talking smack, here is a great press release that came out recently. The only Mets link will be the guys on my team who are also big fans, and the Mets hat that I will be wearing all weekend long. Let the domination begin.

Game Review, April 25, 2008, Braves vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:27:00 -0400

You are not going to win very many games when you have 2 hits. Are you kidding me, 3 runs from 3 bases-loaded walks. This is just totally and completely crazy. Pelfrey let up 5 runs and looked absolutely terrible, he's got to start getting back on track. The Mets lost 6-3, but the highlight of the night was going to the game for first time in a long time with my two brothers and father, who was up visiting from Tampa. All my father could talk about is how great the Devil Rays are this year. Let's give that a few more months and see where they are at. I have to admit, I will probably take in a game with him next time I visit my parents in Tampa, I am intrigued by them. Anyway, the last time the four of us were at a Mets game together was the Jun 17, 2001 comeback against the Yankees where the Mets put up six runs in the bottom of the 8th. We have some great memories of going to games together from being little kids to being adults and taking in a game with Dad. Shitty game, great company.

Game Review, April 17, 2008, Nationals vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:23:00 -0400

Nelson Figueroa! Not only did he pitch a sick game, he made a catch that has to be one of the best I have seen. A laser hit up the middle and he made a back hand catch behind his back. He is like a cat out there. My friend Rick joined me tonight and he was sporting a vintage Casey Stengel jersey, quality. It was a beautiful day in Manhattan, mid 70's and nothing but blue sky. How quickly Shea gets windy and cold, by the 4th inning it felt like mid November. The return of dirty Sanchez tonight! Boy it is good to see him back on the mound, great work. After 14 innings the Mets pulled out a anticlimactic victory with two wild pitches.

It was a fairly small crowd tonight. I am looking forward to seeing some big games again at Shea with some larger crowds. I mean, all the games are important, two more victories in April last year and we don't have the collapse.

Rick is a doctor and may be taking a job in DC. We had a good time talking about the city I once lived in, and a part of me is jealous that he will be returning to that beautiful city (see post below about the new National stadium). We also talked about all the stadiums we have been to in MLB. I realized that I have seen some great stadiums and more than I realized, here they are:

Shea, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, RFK, Camden Yards, PNC Park, Coors Field, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium.

Speaking of jerseys, I keep seeing the same clown at Shea this year that had a customized jersey that has on the back "Shea 1964-2008". Come on, are you really going to spend $250 on an authentic jersey that has this written on the back. I may have to add this to the rules of jersey wearing, no customized sayings or names allowed. After seeing how my friend James abused a 30+ year old Nationals fan last year for brining his glove to the game, I can only imagine what he would say to this guy.

Game Review, April 16, 2008, Nationals vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:07:00 -0400

My friend Cristina and I went to the Mets game tonight and saw a fantastic pitching performance from the Big Pelf. He looked absolutely sick tonight, and I think we are all hopeful that he can keep it up, we will need him to perform. Cristina is good friends with my cousin and is from Minnesota. She is a huge Twins fan and had some great stories of going to the Metrodome growing up. I never could understand going to watch baseball inside, it just feels gross, kinda like a dog humping your leg.

Sitting next to us were two kids who kept calling Lastings Milledge a dillweed. I couldn't understand where these kids came up with this insult. It was only when I was home watching the post game that an ATT commercial came on where someone is called a dillweed. I now see this commercial all the time. Talk about kids being a sponge. I can only laugh now every time I see this commercial.

Anyway, on Jackie Robinson night, a solid Mets win. Reyes had a good night and Mets faithful on another cold night went home happy.

Game Review, April 10, 2008, Phillies vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:56:00 -0400

My first full game of the year, and what a good one. My brother Jack and I went to the game. We took LIRR to the game, and this is the preferred way to travel to Shea, only 16 minutes from Penn Station. Great start by Johnny Maine and a big hit by Angel Pagan sent us all home happy. It was an enjoyable, albeit cold, night at Shea. Not much of a crowd, and my brother and I both agreed that April baseball at Shea does not draw big crowds, but next year at CitiField it will be a hot ticket.

Stockholm, Mets, The Village Taven

sectionsixmets — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:48:00 -0400

A few weeks back I went to Stockholm with two friends, both who are huge Mets fans. It was an amazing trip, Stockholm is absolutely sick and the nightlife is off the charts. I recently got together with my friend Brian, who traveled with me, at The Village Tavern to catch a Mets game. As you may know from past posts I travel a fair amount internationally and I always take notice of any Mets gear I may see. Brian and I both were absolutely appalled to see that the clothing store H&M, which is on every corner in Stockholm (like Starbucks in NYC), were selling New York Yankees hats. Come on now, what is up with that! We did also see a local wearing a leather Yankees jacket and another clown wearing a red Yankees hat. Sorry to say, no Mets gear.

I am off with the same two friends to Iceland in June, we'll see if the locals are more Mets friendly.

Opening Day 2008, April 8, Phillies vs. Mets

sectionsixmets — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:36:00 -0400

My opening day was not as I had expected. Not because the Mets lost, but because of other issues, but more on that in a bit. My brother Dave and I ended up driving to the game in his extended cab truck as he came from work. I do not recommend driving to any games this year, there is absolutely no parking. As we were driving into the Shea area we were blown away by how amazing CitiField looks. It is quite amazing to think that next year we will be watching games from this beautiful new stadium. After sitting in traffic and finding zero traffic we ended up pulling in front of the bus/limo parking lot. After a few minutes of convincing the attendant that the extended cab wouldn't fit in any other parking spot but the but/limo lot, they let us park there. Rock Star parking, right in front of Gate A and with a perfect view of the new stadium. We were both so excited.....opening day, beautiful weather, perfect parking. Just as we were cracking open our first beers I get a call and text from my office with an urgent message. As it turned out there was an emergency back at the office. I hadn't even taken my first sip of beer or enjoyed the fact that we were at opening day. It turned out to be a possibly career altering situation, so I told the office that I would make my way back to the city. My brother and I decided to go into the stadium and watch the fly-by and first inning. It was a tough decision, for as you know with my last post, opening day is my Christmas Day.

It was sad that this was the last opening day at Shea. The new stadium is so amazing, but I have grown to love unfriendly confines of Shea. Even though I had to leave the game in the first inning, it was nice to say that I was there. My brother ended up leaving with me and driving back to the city, and I appreciated this gesture. Turns out we missed a pretty lame game, but I will always remember this opening day for many different reasons.

Is It Really Here?

sectionsixmets — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:38:00 -0400

It is 7:30 am on the Mets home Opening Day. I couldn't sleep last night as I was too excited for the game today. It looks like the weather should be fine, mid 50's with some sun. Our seats are perfect, front row of the Mezzanine and in the sun all game long. I just realized that this will be a strange day, the last home Opening Day at Shea Stadium. All of the attention has been placed on the Yankees and their last season in their stadium, for good reason as they have so much history. However, for us Mets fans, we will all feel some sadness that our "eyesore" of a stadium will be gone. It doesn't have the history of Yankee Stadium, nor does it have any of the charm or friendly confines, but it is our home and for people like me it is where we saw our first game and fell in love with baseball. I will miss Shea, but will certainly welcome CitiField with open arms. So, Shea, how about we make some sick memories in the last season.