Results tagged ‘ Citi Field ’
What a Difference a Win Makes
I would be lying if I said Citi Field wasn’t better the second time around.
It was a pleasure to witness the Mets’ first-ever win at Citi Field on what was the 62nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic day.
The Mets were much-improved since opening Citi Field in a sloppy way, and the Padres looked more like the Padres than the team that killed the buzz Monday night.
Parking was a bit easier as expected for a Wednesday night game in the Month of April, but still no bargain for $18.00. At that price, I would think there would be a valet service. Why not? They have everything else at the ballpark.
As a friend said upon entering the Caesars Club level for the first time, “Where are the massages?”
All three of us who attended the game together concluded in unison that the stadium is a bit overdone.
One welcomed addition is the Cascarino’s concessions within Caesars, specifically the Meatball Parm hero. A bit skimpy for $9.50, but hot, fresh, tasty, and on a nice roll. Mama’s of Corona’s Turkey Hero and Mozzarella, which was readily available at Big Shea and is now sold in the Citi Field international food court, is still my favorite though.
It was a nice night at the ballpark all around though. A good time with friends, some passionate play by the Mets, and a victory. What more can a good man ask for? What more does a good man need?
That’s my whole point. Citi Field is nice, but not completely necessary. Yes, the Mets needed a new home as Shea had seen its day, but did they really need all the fluff to come along with it?
I don’t want amenities. I want wins. Whether I like it or not, tonight I got both.
Citi Too Busy For Baseball
We should have known Fred Wilpon would have disappointed us. Just like his team has done each of the past two years.
Yes, Citi Field is a newer, better baseball venue than the building that once was Shea Stadium.
No, it is not baseball heaven like the Wilpons want you to believe.
In fact, Citi Field is more over-hyped than Alex Escobar.
I’d go as far to say that it is one of the biggest disappointments since “Generation K.”
Ok, well maybe that’s a little harsh.
Still, like the city in which it was built, Citi Field is too busy. There are too many restaurants, lounges, and “amenities” and not enough common sense.
First, let me start with the “There’s not a bad seat in the house” myth.
Our season tickets are between the pitcher’s mound and first base in the Excelsior Bronze (300) level. A great view of the infield and as long as the ball isn’t hit into the right field corner, you can see it. Not bad for double the price I suppose.
Next, the outfield fence. Is it me or does it look like David Patterson designed it?
The top of the fence must fit somewhere into the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle. Can you say gimmick?
Not to mention the cockamamie depth. It’s 408 feet in dead center, but moves back to 415 feet just a few steps to the right. Guess the Wilpons got this great idea from Joe Robbie, I mean Pro Player, or is it Dolphins’ Stadium?
Looking for out-of-town scores? Not on the outfield fence you don’t. Not even above it. Try the leftfield corner atop the upper deck. I hope you upgraded your prescription lenses and brought a neck brace if you plan on following the other action around the Majors.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Busch Stadium, built only three years ago, and I could not have been more impressed. Simple, classy, and state-of-the-art all in one.
The difference between the Home of the Red Birds and our Metropolitans is simple. St. Louis built a baseball park. The Wilpons built a Coney Island-like carnival with a baseball park as the backdrop.
The Wilpons swung too hard on this one.
The good thing is that I go to games to watch baseball and not for the Stadium. Therefore, my disappointment is minimal.
Oh, and did I mention parking? Just know that a pre-paid permit gets you a nice spot somewhere out on College Point Blvd.
‘Penning the Story of Citi Field
A pleasant sight it was. They were. JJ Putz and Frankie Rodriguez slamming the door on the Red Sox Friday night at Citi Field albeit an exhibition game.
It’s hard to get too excited over one that doesn’t count, but it’s impossible not to jumping through the roof with excitement about these two.
How many blown saves was it last year? 29?
Although their lack of lefties in the pen is a bit unsettling, a one-two punch featuring two of the games top closers has to make fans breathe easy.
It wasn’t until Saturday when I saw Citi Field for the first time. I almost didn’t know there was a game going on. I watched Perez face two batters from my seats and that was about all any good man could handle on this day.
It was time to see what this place had to offer. Shake Shack in the left field corner was packed. The lines looked massive and frustrating.
I snuck into this rather small international food court in the right field corner. It must have been today’s best kept secret. There were four different food vendors to choose from and only six, maybe seven, patrons in the joint. I stepped right up to the counter at Mamas of Corona’s and was moments away from enjoying a turkey, fresh mozzarella, and roasted peppers hero.
Then it was back toward the seats where I ventured into the enclosed, climate-controlled Caesar’s Club. A huge social lounge located behind the press boxes in back of home plate, this space contains a number of flat screen TVs, a huge bar, couches, chairs, high-top tables, and concessions built into the back walls.
One part of the club, as my friend termed it, resembled that of a waiting area at an airport gate. Couches and benches were positioned alongside windows that looked out to what once was Shea Stadium.
There were only a few piles of rubble remaining and a few idle bulldozers which will remove the remnants in a few days.
It’s official. Goodbye Big Shea. Hello Citi Field.
If anyone ever needed a new beginning, it was the Mets and it was now considering their disenchanting demise the past two Septembers.
And what better way than to have Putz and K-Rod helping to ‘pen the story of Citi Field’s inaugural season.
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