I was in a cab the other day on my way home from the airport when I saw Ron Darling walking along Broadway in lower Manhattan.  So, like any Met fan, I casually yelled out the window "Hey Ronnie", to which Ron gave me a wave and head nod.  That made my night. 

I had sold my tickets for today's game about a month ago because I was away in Nashville earlier in the weekend.  Since the Mets had been on such a tear lately and the weather was going to be perfect, I thought I would buy some tickets and enjoy the game today.  Catherine and I ended up buying great seats on StubHub.  This was my first experience with StubHub and it went very smoothly, except for the printing of tickets at home.  I tried to sneak into the Hilton's business office around the corner from my apartnemt to print them off but was unable to get in, so I had to walk over the the FedEx store in Tribeca.  Lot's of great seat options on StubHub and well below face value, I highly recommend using this site.  We ended up with tickets in the Ceasars Club level, first base side, for about 30% off face value. 

After a very quick LIRR trip to Citi, we made our way to the Club, which is very nice.  It is basically like other sections except that you have a few bars and your own concessions and a restaurant.  The bars were good, no long lines at the bathrooms or fod stands.  The options for food are much better in the Promenade behind home plate.  The problem today with Ceaser level was that you were in the shade pretty much all game.  It was a bit windy and chilly in the shade, so we decided to walk over to the Pepsi Porch.  We spent a good 5 innings there after scoring a table overlooking the field.  I think this has to be one of my most favorite places to watch a game, in fact, I would seriously consider changing my seat location to the Pepsi Porch next year. 

Now, to the game:

- Ian Snell looked like Cy Young the first three innings.  But finally the Mets bats came alive.
- Daniel Murphy looks so, so, so uncomfortable in RF.
- Livan Hernandez is quite the innings eater and has been a nice surprise with the quality starts he has been providing.  I hope he continues to anchor the back end of the rotation.
- Carlos Beltran is locked-in, plain and simple.  There is something about him this year that just screams quiet confidence.  It has been a pleasure watching him so far this year.

Today was a fantastic game, great weather and a sold win.  You need to sweep series when you have a team on the rope, it helps with the killer instanct, and today the Mets proved they have some fight in them after being down 2-0. 

Again, Happy Mother's Day!

We are starting to settle into the season and becoming more and more excited about what the 2009 campaign will be like for the Mets.  I am excited for the season to unfold and hope that the Mets offense can break out of its early slump and ugly production with men on base.  Each game you expect at least 10-15 men left on base.  They have to start clicking at some point, don't they?

I have been amazed that a blogger like myself who is simply a die hard Mets fan can all of a sudden cause such a stir online with the Mets ongoing issues with obstructions.  I have to smile just a bit when I see the referring pages and people reading about obstructions.  So first, thank you to those who have liked to my past articles about obstructions and thank you to those who have signed the petition I created.  Here is the problem I see.....the Mets, I am afraid, will continue to sweep these issues under the rug, dismissing this as a non-issue and never really making an effort to make the situation right. 

Let me be clear, I am a season ticket holder, but my seats are not affected by the LED obstruction.  My reasons for coming out and putting the petiton together and writing about it on my blog have been because I felt that luck was the only way I found out about the obstructions and luck that had my seats far enough down the line to not have an issue.  I feel very bad for the paying customers, whether season ticket holders or individual game buyers, who have obstructions and are unaware of them.  Nothing will be done unless we, the paying customers whether affected or not, create enough noise about it.  I just want to do my part.  I was sick to my stomach seeing some of the obstructions and early images online.  I was distressed to know that a father and son may not enjoy a game becasue they did not know about the obstructions.  I was pissed at the spin and rhetoric from Dave Howard, all of which is still happening. 

Newsday, New York Times, Daily News, New York Post help out us Mets fans.  MetsBlog, Baseball Prospectus, Mets Police, Baseball Fever, Queens Crap and other blogs/forums, let's continue to make noise and have people sign the petition.  Let's get enough feedback so we can take this to the organization.  I am sure in this economy the Mets do not need another reason (possible obstructions) for people to not buy tickets.  Right now we have 39 people, at 1000 we will take this to the Mets organization. 

So eveyone out there, keep up the talk.  Sign the petition.  Email me your frustrations. Talk to people about the issues. 

I want to end this on a positive note.  I do not want readers to think that I do not appreciate the new stadium or the workers who build the stadium or the money invested into it by the city of New York and the Mets organization. To not appreciate this would be a slap in their faces.  I do really, really love the new stadium and can't wait to one day take my family to a game.  However, this appreciation does not change the fact that there are obstructions and that people will spend their hard earned money to go to a game and may have an obstruction. The organization needs to address this head-on and inform the paying public of their solutions. 

If I was to tell you three months ago that the following would happen, you would have thought I was on crack:

First batter faced at CitiField would hit a home run.  A cat would run onto the field, 1969 style.  A balk would bring  home the deciding run.  Mike Pelfrey would trip and fall during his delivery.

New stadium, some of the same old tricks.  The Mets starting rotation needs to get its act together, the bullpen is getting too many innings and the offense is being put into holes early and often.  David Wright, fantastic game, you were the perfect person to hit the first home run at CitiField.  It was a big one, too.  A game tying three run home run bomb, and my goodness, that new home run applet is huge!  I mean, that is one big apple, I would say at least 3x's the size of the old one.  I am digging it.

CitiField on my second trip definitely grew on me a bit more.  I am getting more and more familiar with my surroundings and comfortable with the seats.  I do still feel very bad for the people in the first few rows who have LED obstructions, and equally as bad for the people who have to watch a game through the plexi glass staircases.  You can read my past blog entries to get my feelings and reviews about these horrible obstructions. 

I noticed that CitiField is about 40% less loud than Shea.  At certain points to the game my brother Jack and I noticed that it was much less noisy than Shea.  Was this the case because it is a more corporate crowd?  Is it because there is 10,000+ less fans in the stands?  Is it because fans don't know when to cheer because of their obstructions?  Is it less loud because of the new stadium layout?  I am sure all of the above is factoring into this, but one thing is 100% for sure, it is not as loud as Shea.  If D. Wright hits that same home run in Shea I would not have been able to hear myself think.  Last night, it was as if it was muted.  I don't know, something that I will definitely keep thinking and writing about.  Other than the Mets losing, overall on the whole, fantastic Opening Night.  The Seaver to Piazza first pitch was a great touch.  It was also nice to see that Tom got the ball over the plate, it looked like he had some late movement on the pitch.  The flyover is also a fan favorite and I happened to get it on tape.  I will be posting it when I download my pictures and movies. 

Come on Mets, let's start picking it up.  It is a simple game, you hit the ball, you catch the ball and you throw the ball.  It looks like the Mets fans and players are all trying to get comfortable with their new home. I know how everyone feels, I just moved into a new apartment and I am still trying to figure out my morning and evening agenda's. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the Mets and their fans will be settled in to CitiField.

Recently I have been contacted by other Mets fans who are very unhappy and annoyed with the obstructions at Citi Field.  So, I have started a petition in the hopes that we will get some answers from the New York Mets, please read and sign by clicking HERE.

I was lucky enough to be down the line in section 427 and do not have an issue with LED obstructions, however, I feel that the Mets have not done a good job in communicating with paying customers and that eveyone should speak up.

I created three packs of tickets that I am selling on eBay at no reserve.  Check them out and bid if you want.  I am selling these regardless of price.  All packs are 2 tickets, Promenade Box 427, Row 1, no obstructions (see the picture), and is an aisle. 

Pack 1, Four Games:
April 27 vs. the Marlins
May 25 vs. the Nats
June 28th vs. the Yankees
August 3rd vs. the DBacks

Pack 2, Three Games:
April 15th vs. the Padres (2nd game at CitiField)
June 24th vs. the Cardinals
August 4 vs. the Cardinals

Pack 3, Four Games:
April 16th vs. the Padres (3rd game at CitiField)
May 11th vs. the Braves
June 25th vs. the Cardinals
August 17th vs. the Giants

If you are interested, click on the blue link to view the listing. 

Opening Day 2009.  I can't believe that it is here already.  It has been another long off-season, and just when you think you couldn't take the cold weather, same story lines, WBC games or spring training games, Opening Day sneaks up on you and is here. 

This will be my fourth year following the season on Section Six.  It is funny, the name Section Six comes from my first section I had a ticket package in, Section 6 of the Mezzaine at old Shea.  So much has happened since that first year, I found it funny to go back and read past entries about the Mets.  Each Opening Day I treat like the start of the new year, where I reflect on the past season and what I hope to happen the upcoming one.  No doubt 2009 is going to be a fun year with CitiField open and hype around this 2009 Mets team.  Everywhere I read there are bold predictions for this 2009 team.  World Series winners here, NL East champs there.  I will stick to what I said in my Spring Training entry, if the Mets play hard, team, inspired baseball then we will part of a special season.  Manuel brought team baseball back to the Mets this preseason and it certainly feels like this 2009 team is on the brink of something special.  I am a bit concerned with the depth of the rotation.  I am concerned with what Sheffield will bring to the Mets, even though it is a low risk/high reward opportunity.  But hey, every team has concerns and soft spots now. 

If the formula is correct I expect the Mets to make up a lot of those 29 blown saves from 2008.  I expect them to play inspired, team baseball every inning of each game, and if they do this, I feel confident that this 2009 Mets team will put to bed the deamons from 2006 and 2007.

A new year.  A new stadium.  A differnt approach. A fresh beginning.  If only life was like the baseball season where you could start 0-0 each year.  It is going to be an eventful season. 

On a cold Saturday, April 4, 2009, I went to my very first game at CitiField.  Mark it in the books, my first ever game.  I had been so excited to see the new stadium I didn't know what I was most excited for.  Arriving at CitiField was a bit strange, walking towards the stadium there is such a void where Shea once stood.  I think I was so familiar with seeing the big blue eyesore that I was half expecting it to still be there.  My first thought was how CitiField didn't dominate the skyline like Shea once did. 

I went to the game with Jack.  He made a comment as we were approaching the stadium that was right on the mark.  He said that he felt like it was Disney World as we were approaching the stadium.  With a combination of the music, the clean grounds, flower beds, the jolly PA announcer on a loop welcoming you to CitiField, it all did feel like walking into the Magic Kingdom.  I felt excited and like a kid again, I couldn't believe that this was actually where I will be coming to watch the Mets play for now on.  The entrance to the Rotunda was absolutely jammed, so we decided to enter at the Left Field gate, but not before finding our brick.  We went to the section and searched and searched.  We thought we found it but realized that it was another from Wyckoff, NJ.  Finally, we found it, snapped a picture as my mind wandered.  I kept thinking, wow, one day my kids kids will be coming  here and seeing this.  It was a very strange feeling. 

We got the the Left Field gate and the entrance is fantastic, a silhouette of Endy Chavez making "The Catch".  Just above on the stadium are banners from the past years of Mets history.  Even though it is an Ebbets field throwback, it absolutely is a Mets stadium. 

Once we got off the first escalator and around the corner we had our first glimpse of the stadium.  From the Left Field gate you wind up in the concourse with an open view to the field.  I tell you, I am amazed with how beautiful this stadium is.  We went up to our seats in the Promenade, section 427 first row, and we have a fantastic view of the field.  The LED is not an issue from our section.  I feel like the actual seats are higher taking the LED out of the view, seems like this was the solution.  You feel as if you are sitting on top of the field, unlike Shea where you were set back. Our seats are definitely higher than the first row of the Mezzanine, I'd say about 20-30 feet higher.  The view of the field is the same as before and from our seats we have a great view of both scoreboards and the out of town scoreboard.  The outfield is HUGE! Unbelievable how big this park is, it is definitely a pitchers park.  One thing I noticed was that the PA announcer is not loud at all, we could barely hear it.  Also, we couldn't hear the music very well either.  I hope they decide to turn up the volume a bit, this made Shea so much fun. 

We watched Ollie walk three guys and a run home and decided to take a walk around the stadium.  Let me say that every seat in this place is awesome, except for the ones obstructed by the stairs.  The outfield seats are so cool, regardless of level or section.  Center field concessions are fantastic and just walking around the park you get a sense for how amazing this place is.  One of my thoughts was that since there is so much more to do at CitiField that even during a sold out game the stadium will be 3/4 full.  Most people will be out and about checking out the stadium like we did.  It will be interesting to see opening day and if people continue to walk around and not paying attention to the game. 

Other interesting parts of the park:  The apple, the Hells Gate bridge, The Sky Line above Shake Shack, the Rotunda, concession stands everywhere, bathrooms everywhere, the Pepsi Porch.  This stadium is awesome.  It will be a fun year of Mets baseball at CitiField. 

Today was all about the stadium.  Let's not forget that there was a game taking place.  This game was OVER after 2/3 of an inning.  Ollie let up a hit, walked three batters, made a throwing error and let up a Grand Slam.  Unreal that we paid this guy $12 million per year. 

As a baseball fan I am absolutely loving the WBC.  As a patriotic American I am absolutely loving the WBC.  As a Mets fan I am absolutely hating the WBC.  I can't help but think the worst each time a Met is playing.  Who's going to blow out their arm.  Who's going to tear a hammy.  I guess it is natural to think this way considering the Mets have (or, had) 16 guys playing in the WBC.  It is a bit strange to see guys going 100%, full-out in March, especially pitchers.  I can't help but think that either guys will get into a bad habit, push too much too early causing injury or be burnt out by August.  Either way, I have been enjoying the Classic and watching baseball in what may be its purest form.  It  has been entertaining and I find myself feeling like it is post-season baseball. 

For example, last nights Puerto Rico/USA game was fantastic.  What a great game and represented well by our Mets.  Carlos Delgado hit a bomb.  Carlos Beltran robbed a home run.  Putz threw a dominating and scoreless inning.  Figgy pitched well.  Finally, David Wright's huge game winning hit.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching this game unfold.  Congrats to team USA, and good luck the rest of the way.

Welcome back to Port St. Lucie losers in the WBC.  Once of the things that concerns me is that since so many everyday players have been gone for the Mets that they will have a tough time "gelling" as a team.  Everything that they worked on for the early weeks of spring training will have to be programed again in these players.  I don't care how many times players say they are happy to be back in camp, in my opinion they can't be.  It is just human nature.  They just got bounced from the WBC while playing for their country in a playoff atmosphere.  Now they are back in camp, dog days of spring training and it will probably take a good week to get back in the frame of mind that you are preparing for 162 games.  Let's call it a shortened off-season for the next few weeks for these guys. 

Other observations about the WBC:
- Luis Soho, are you kidding me, using K-Rod two games in a row for a 4 out save!  He did that once all of last year.  If I am Omar I am calling Luis and letting him know that is is not making me happy.  Are we going to have to worry about K-Rod in August knowing that innings were already a concern.  K-Rod is absolutely letting it rip in the WBC and that does not make me comfortable.
- Back in Port St. Lucie the Mets have an absolute mess for their fifth starter.  Well, I think there is a solution in  Nelson Figueroa.  I have been impressed with his movement, control and compared to what we have in camp, I'd be happy to put Figgy in the mix.
- Ollie is being Ollie.  This guy looked absolutely miserable in the WBC.  He only has a few weeks to get into MLB playing form and this may not be enough time.  This guy must work on his stuff because we can not afford for Ollie to shit the bed this year.  We know he is going to be erratic, but can this kid recover from a shortened spring training where he obviously picked up more bad habits.  Did you see him pitch?  He looked like a totally different Ollie on every pitch.  An absolute circus.
- JC Romero, how did you pull this magic trick.  Test positive for a banned substance, get suspend without pay for 50 games but yet still can pitch in the WBC and earn money for it, all while being a cheater.  I think the WBC needs to look at its rules.  What is stopping others players or teams from taking advantage of this loop hole? 
- Great for Adam Dunn, I am so happy for him. For the first time in his career he is playing meaningful baseball games and it looks like he is locked in.  If only the Mets needed a left handed hitting bat this off-season, he could have been a solid option for them. 

Anyway, bottom line is that I am torn on the WBC.  Great for baseball, bad for Mets fans because of our representation.  These guys can not come back to camp fast enough.  I know they are professionals, but they are going to have to start from scratch again when it comes to playing as a member of the Metropolitans.

Back to work guys.  Back to a goal of winning a championship for the New York fans!

I am sitting here watching the end of the Netherlands and Dominican Republic game and I am in awe.  This is like watching a DIII baseball squad beat the Yankess and their starting line-up......twice!  The Dutch are playing hard, team inspired baseball.  It is absolutely shocking, or is it?  Seeing the Dominican Republic fold like this shows what happens when a ballclub pays as individuals.  It certainly looks like this is what happened to Team USA in 2006, with the king offender being A-Rod. 

Here is my point, I watched a Mets team over the past few years that have not played inspired team baseball.  I have seen a team that is not a cohesive group.   I have written over and over again about these feelings during the past few years, and in my spring training review below I point out how the Mets need to play solid team baseball.  It is refreshing to see that Manuel understands this and is trying to instill unselfish team baseball this spring.  I believe Manuel's message will become even more clear after this historic loss by the Dominican Republic team.  Let's hope that after the WBC Mets players will come back with a stronger sense of team baseball.

February 19th, what a glorious day!  It is cold as hell up here in NYC, but it is warm and sunny on the fields of Port St. Lucie.  The 2009 season is here, after a kinda quiet hot stove season, the boys are back.  In the past I've talked about what my keys to the season are and my thoughts on the upcoming spring training.  I guess I am going to be bit more plain this year and just say that the 2009 Mets need to play hard, inspired, tough, team baseball. 

- RISP is key this year.  I am still haunted by the Cubs game in September when D. Wright was left stranded at 3rd. 
- Daniel Murphy in my opinion is the key to this team, I think the young fella is going to be one hell of a ball player, he can bring the young, fighting, hard nosed work ethic to the Mets and others will follow.  Even though he is young, he will lead by example.
- Castillo, you are killing me! It can not be much worse than last year, if he can get past the early season booing, I expect a bounce back season.  The fact he pleaded his case to management to stay here means a lot to me, and I think when it is all said and done we will be lucky to have Castillo on this team.
- John Maine will be key to the success of this team.  If he is healthy and we get similar numbers from big Pelf and a stronger year from Ollie, we will pick up 8-10 wins over last years squad.
- The pen has been fixed, end of story.

Finally, in Jerry we trust.  He will be key to pushing the right buttons, playing the correct match-ups and implementing confidence and team into a clubhouse that has been divided and too individual in past years.  We have a manager that is seasoned, unlike Willie.  He knows how to manage and I believe he will the main reason the Mets have success in 2009.

The 2009 baseball season, welcome.  As in years past I am ready for the crazy ride we are about to go on. 

Let's Go Mets!

Update Monday May 18, 2009:
Read my Yankee Stadium Review HERE

Update Friday April 10, 2009:
Citi Field Obstructions Petition, to read and sign click HERE.

Well, this wasn't the tone I wanted my first post of the 2009 season to be, but it has caused quite a stir among Mets fans as well as myself.  Obstructed views at Citi has picked up more and more steam over the past week or so, climaxing in a rumored article that the NY Post was going to run. Again, rumor has it that the article was nixed for one reason or another.  I have looked at the pictures on Baseball-Fever from Citi Field and there are some terrible, terrible design flaws. One which will be quite bothersome to me as our season tickets are the first row of the Promenade Box (we are in section 427, down the line so I am not sure how much it will really affect us) the LED screen blocks a good portion of the view.  I have to admit that I am quite upset that this LED  may be obstructing our view. I called my ticket manger and he told me that he knew of the pictures and that they are skewed.  He went on to say that if we do not like the seats after the first game that we could move; does he really believe that!  Anyway, below are images (click to make them bigger) and a portion of open letter that a user named 'Saltzy' posted on Baseball-Fever, which I thought everyone should read.  Look at these images closely and see how retarded some of these obstructed views at CitiField really are:

"I feel as though I have a story that you should be interested in. I am a die hard, 162 game a year Mets fan. Over the course of the last few years a group of people have had an ongoing conversation regarding construction of the Mets new home, CitiField. The message board I am referring to is HERE ;........

Last Friday, 2/13, I was invited on a tour of Citi Field. Due to my ongoing dialogue on this forum I knew of several areas in the park that seemed to certainly offer some level of obstruction, in a park that has been promised to us will have 'sitelines like no other', with little or no obstructions.

I was able to make my way over to these areas and document seats that offered obstructions that blew my mind. There are several issues. Listed in order of severity from least to worst, the railing from the 1st row throughout the Promenade Level, the staircases leading up to the Promenade Reserve, and easily the worst, the LED ribbon running along the length of the Promenade Box/Club Seats.

Here are some examples of the seats I am referring to:

Railing/Staircase Obstructions:



LED Obstructions:




There are 3 sections of either side of home plate in the Promenade Club sections, where the 1st row is considered 'Premium seating' that are 100% affected by this LED obstruction. (Sections 406-408 on the 1st base side, Sections 421-423 on the 3rd base side) Each picture was taken sitting in the seat, and meant to offer as objective a view as possible from that seat as someone there would get. As you can see, 20%-25% of the field is blocked, including a large portion of home plate and 1st base line. I am 5'7" and needed to strain my neck to see the entire home plate area. These seats are $75 each. The seats further down the lines are $35. These LED boards are unnecessary, and completely absurd. Something MUST be done about this. The thought of a father taking his son to Opening Day this year, only to realize they cannot see home plate has been haunting me since I sat in these seats, forget about the people that have spent over $6,000 per seat for full season tickets. In advance, I will acknowledge that the Mets have labeled the seats by the staircases(facing towards home, for the 1st 2 rows, 1st 4 seats) obstructed, and are not selling full season tickets in them. The ones that face the outfield are equally as bad in my opinion, and are not labeled as such.

Based on the replies I got after posting these pictures(almost 500 in 3 days, MANY from people directly affected by these obstructions), in addition to hearing outcries about obstructions at the new Yankee Stadium that are far less severe,and cost a fraction of the price I am convinced that this is a legit story that needs to get out to my fellow Mets fans that have been duped into these seats at outrageous prices with no knowledge of these obstructions."

Well, there you have it.  If you are affected by these seats, contact me, contact your ticket manager at Shea, let your voice be heard.  I am missing Shea more and more.

This Sunday I will be running the NYC Marathon.  It is kinda like my Game 7.  After months and months of training I am finally ready for this one day.  The Mets hook for the run will be my new blue mesh Mets visor.  Thank you for the suggestions, some were a tad bizarre, but thank you anyway. 

Also, if you would like to read an article that was written about me running for Team For Kids click here.

Oh, and a big F you to the Phillies.  I hope the Mets players are just as pissed off as us Mets fans. 

A few months ago I posted details about running the NYC Marathon this year and the charity that I was supporting.  Thanks in part to you, the readers of Section Six, I was able to reach my donation goal of $2500.  Team For Kids is a fantastic charity helping the youth of New York City, I know they appreciate all of your support.

Within the same blog entry a few months ago I told readers that if the Mets won the pennant that I would run the NYC Marathon with a Mr. Met doll attached to my hip.  Well, we all know how that played out, so there will be no Mr. Met doll with me during the Marathon.  However, I would still like to do something Mets related, so if you have any ideas I would love to hear them.  I am open to pretty much anything except running in mets sneakers, face painting or wearing a Mr. Met head for 26.2 miles. 

If you would like to follow my progress, you can view/join my Public Facebook Group. 

Let me ask you this, would you rather be a Mets fan right now or a Cubbies fan.  Game 2, 6-0 (only top of 6th), Zambrano looking shitty.  I tell you, I am happy that I am not a Cubs fan, painful.  Best team in the NL, curse of the goat, Bartman.  Gotta be tough.

I will be honest, last night I was missing baseball a little bit, but as I sit here now and write, I am totally over the 2008 season.  Listen, after the 2007 collapse and how horrible this team played for half the season, I am really not that surprised that they lost and are playing golf right now.  As of right now, I'm over it.

Nobody can sit here and say they didn't enjoy the 2008 season, we had many good things from this team: Pelfrey, Johan, Murphy, Delgado, Reyes, Church.  Only one team is going to win the whole thing, and it wasn't going to be the Mets.  This team was not built to compete in the playoffs, the bullpen was butt-doo-doo.  If we did make the playoffs and got swept in the first round by the Cubs, people would be just as disappointed as they are now.  Here is the reality, Omar did not build a team that could win in October.  With that said, this team gave us one hell of a run and one hell of an exciting pennant race.  Sure, we didn't make the playoffs, but we saw during the final month exactly what needs to be corrected for 2009.  Now is when the work starts for next year.  Now is when Omar needs to address the weaknesses so the 2009 Mets can be put in the best possible position to compete with the Phillies and Cubs of the NL.  We have a great foundation, and a beautiful new ballpark.  Let's get at it Omar, earn that new contract you just received. 

Finally, I was sad for this season to end not because we missed the playoffs, but because the place where I learned to love the game of baseball will only be a memory.  I actually kinda laughed at the Mets, they went out and did it again to us fans, but as I said many months ago, this is what we all signed up for when we became Mets fans.  The Mets will win a World Series again, just think how good it will feel knowing how much us fans have gone through. 

Also, things could be worse, we could all be Pittsburgh Pirates fans, and cheering for a team that has not had a winning season since 1992 and is a miserable place for budding stars to play (Jason Bay counts his lucky stars every night before he goes to bed that he is now in Boston).  I mean, imagine this, not having a .500 winning percentage since Jim Leyland was the manager and Barry Bonds was 180 pounds.  That my friends is something that we should be thankful for.  The Mets have a fantastic core with homegrown players, a beautiful new ballpark, management with deep pockets and a commitment (I hope)  to put a winning product on the field. 

Let's start the hot stove season.......

It is a sad, sad day as a Mets fan.  I will miss Shea, it deserved a much better send off.  I have nothing else to say.  It is just a sad, sad day.

More about the game once I collect my thoughts.

I enjoy beer, however I am officially putting a personal ban on purchasing any Miller Light either at Shea today or any other time in the near future.  I strongly suggest you do the same.  This beer that is sold at Shea is brewed in Milwaukee.  Buying a Miller Light is like wearing a Brewers hat at Shea. 

Say no to Miller Light, Say no to the Brewers! 

Last game at Shea?  I hope not, and I am sure many other fans feel the same way.  Well, here we go again, one game left and a must win (if the Brewers win).  I could not help feeling a bit like last year, hoping a lefty can pull you through.  We have another chance, a second chance, one that does not happen so often.  The ability to officially forget about last year by beating the team that crushed Mets hearts.  Just win boys, just win.  Ollie, you will certainly earn a new contract today.  Come out and pitch a "Johanesque" game, and the city will love you and organization will reward it.  Come out and pitch like that fool Tom Glavine, and you may as well have pitched your last game in New York. 

So many emotions are hitting me as I think of Shea stadium.  As I wrote before opening day, I fell in love with baseball at this stadium.  I have fond memories of my father, watching superstars.  This is where I got my first autograph.  This is where I got my first Major League baseball.  This is where I saw my first home run and first complete game shutout.  This is where I felt a stadium bounce it was rocking so hard and it is also where I felt like someone ripped my heart out.  This stadium may not have the history or success that a crosstown stadium has, but, this is my stadium, it has my memories, it has my success.  I will absolutely miss Shea Stadium.  As I see the new CitiField looking over Shea, I hope Shea Stadium has a few more tricks, and games, up her sleeve. 

I will be sad to "Shea Goodbye", but hopefully we can save the emotion for another day. 

Let's Go Mets, Ya Gotta Believe!

Johan.  Wow.  Unreal.  Best pitching performance I have ever seen in person.  You can not underestimate what Johan did for this organization today.  He came out and carried the entire team and Mets fan base on his back today.  What a gutsy performance.  All the while, he had ZERO support from his offense.  Let's not look past this, the Mets offense did not show up today.  I liked the new look lineup with Beltran hitting second.  The crowd came out in huge numbers today to support the Mets.  It was a fantastic crowd that got behind Johan from the very first pitch.  On short rest he threw one of the most amazing games.  Good for him, I am excited to have an ace that wants the ball and will put a performance on like that.  Hell,  C.C. has been doing it for almost a month now for the Brewers.  There is plenty of time to rest in the offseason. 

Great game, amazing pitching performance, awesome crowd.  And just as the Mets recoreded the last out, the Shea scoreboard put up a 1-0 score from the Cubs/Brewers game.  By the time Jason and I got to LIRR it was a 4-0 game.  As I type now, the game is over and the Mets will have a chance with a win to at lease push a tie.  Tomorrow is going to be an amazing day at Shea, hopefully not the last one just yet!

Mets 2 Marlins 0, hell of a game Johan.