The Mets Police

Stuff I’m too busy with to flesh out:

Metsblog has good spin on this Read: The Gammons Plan for the Mets

Gammons’ piece is here.

Also – tonight the SNY announcers will be silent during the 6th inning, and no Gary Cohen tomorrow (just keith and Ron)

Meanwhile on Stubhub, tix for tomorrow were going as low as 99 cents (last checked 9am).   Plenty of seats under 5 bucks available.

More later

A comment came in:

Check Tuesday Night 9/8 Prices on StubHub and other various weeknight games in September. I find it hard to believe that Ticket Brokers bought up all these garbage Promenade level seats and are now listing tickets on StubHub for $1 or $2 a ticket. Season ticketholders in the cheap seats stand very little chance to sell there tickets for even half what they paid for them or at all. Are the NY Mets posting the tickets in there inventory on StubHub since they can’t sell them at the Box Office? I would find it hard to believe they would do this and piss off there season ticket holders but one must ask this question since who else would charge $2 a ticket and have it not hurt them. I am going to call the Mets but I would doubt if they were doing this that they would actually admit to it. If Mets Police could also investigate this that would be great. 

I would be very surprised to learn the Mets are selling their tickets on Stubhub at all, and there is no evidence of that whatsoever that I am aware of.

I sense that cutting some of the prices 50% has annoyed those who are holding plans (like me) because now we have no hope of “getting back” any of our money on the secondary market.   If you can get my $20 ticket for $10 from the Mets, then I have to sell mine for $9 – minus Stubhub’s commission, so my $40 in tickets becomes about $14 if I can sell them at all.

We all collectively miscalculated….it’s a good team in a first year stadium right?   The Mets hiked prices, and we bought in thinking we could make money on Stubhub.

The big difference is: in 2010 I can keep my wallet closed whereas the Mets need to sell tickets.  So the 50% cut may help their 2009 sales, but the price they pay may come in 2010.

Which reminds me – I must have been busy with the real job or something but I was late to the party with Jayson Stark’s dire assessment of the Mets’ next few years.  If you haven’t seen it by now (most other blogs had it a week ago) you definitely want to read it.

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Here’s what people said in response to my ticket survey.  I’m not claiming it is scientifically vaild, nor are the 79 votes a huge sample.   However it’s Labor Day and it’s something to ponder.

55% plan to buy 2010 Mets tickets as they go along (rather than plans)
29% are not planning to go to any games
8% plan to keep their existing plans.
6% will buy a plan but not spend as much as they did in 2009.

I’m currently in the “I’ll buy when I’m in the mood to go group” especially because I will have to eat another $50 in tickets this week because of other commitements.

I really encourage the Mets to adopt a ticket exchange policy similar to that of the Yankees.

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On Monday I write a column for Flushing University which usually becomes a philosophical exercise for me. With the season in ruins, and not much to root for (I’m not putting Thole in the Hall of Fame just yet) I often find myself writing about the past. This week I decided to look to the future and ponder what I would do with this franchise if it were mine.1. Hire a new General Manager. Omar may have been the victim of bad luck, but he’s also been at the helm while an entire farm system went barren. I’d find out about Billy Beane (I’m a blogger not actually an owner so maybe there’s tampering or his miniority interest in the A’s that would get in the way). I’d get some baseball people in here – between my fellow owners and media insiders I bet I’d get some good suggestions. Then realizing I’m a blogger not an actual baseball expert I would go back to my luxury booth and stay out of the way. Hire good people and let them do their thing….after I make one more suggestion:2. Hey new GM, I think we should take a look at Bobby Valentine. As a blogger I know that Bobby’s team are prone to slow starts and second place finishes – but the Wilpon Regime has left our fanbase so distressed that I don’t think we can market Jerry Manuel & Everyone’s Back. Bobby will keep the media busy and keep dopey bloggers from complaining about plexiglass. He might even squeeze a few wins out of our lemons. However you’re the GM, so it’s your call.3. We’re going to write some checks. My ownership group notices that the Yankees (also with their own network and new stadium) don’t seem too stressed about a $200 million payroll. You have to spend money to make money, so if Mr. New GM and Bobby V want someone – just go get em. I demand a ring within three years so here’s some cash, but you two better win or you’re out too.4. Hire Howie Rose Consultants. Since I’m an owner now, I need someone to look out for the fans and history. With myself unavailable, I will turn to Howie Rose. While we’re on the subject please donate all the black uniforms and caps to charity.5. I will offer to go on WFAN every week and take calls. I’ll even swing by SNY during rain delays. The buck stops here, not at Billy’s desk and not with Bobby. 6. Will somebody please go hang some banners of former Mets players around the stadium?! I’m going to lunch and when I get back you guys better have ordered 100 new banners, and I want them installed by the first of the month.7. Speaking of banners – you over there, go schedule banner day for August. Work on Old Timer’s Day while you’re at it. Ask Hernandez if he’d like us to retire 17 while you’re talking to him.8. Call some other teams and ask how they got these statues of former players built. I want of Mr. Seaver in front of the rotunda.Oh, and please tell Dave Howard I’d like to see him in my office. I have some photos of the views from left field I’d like to review with him.

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There are several things incorrect about this Tom Seaver jersey, and if you click over to What Makes A Throwback Authentic? you will find out what’s wrong with this one, plus you’ll enjoy a solid jerseys discussion.

There are some inaccuracies in these 1969 Mets jerseys for sale as well, but I still think you’d look cool at Citi wearing a Kranepool.

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