The Mets Police

June 3, 2009

Starfleet Mets to Play in Binghamton

This Friday the Binghamton Mets will hold a Star Trek Night when they host the Connecticut Defenders. Here is the press release –

Star Trek Night, June 5
“Star Wars” promotional nights have been steadily growing in popularity over the past several years; is it now Star Trek’s time to shine? The B-Mets sure think so, as they are celebrating the enduring sci-fi series Friday. The team will wear sleek and stylish Star Trek-themed jerseys during the game, perhaps signifying the players’ desire to get “beamed up” to a new level of play. All in-game contests will be Trek-themed, and head shots on the videoboard will be doctored so that the players resemble characters from the series. Perhaps most hilariously, the B-Mets’ staff will wear replica “Star Trek” uniforms of various colors so that fans can immediately determine their rank in the front-office hierarchy.

B-Mets catcher Josh Thole models the Star Trek jerseys his squad will wear Friday. (Binghamton Mets)

To be honest, I am completely torn by this. For the most part I hate themed uniform experiments. Most come off looking ridiculous (see Mercury Mets, or any Hawaiian Night promotion). However, I will admit I am a big Star Trek fan and so there is a part of me that loves this.

Minor league teams ultimately get more leeway when it comes to quirky promotions than major league teams. That’s what the minors are all about really.

I will say that I appreciate that the jersey is not over-the-top. They could have easily gone with pullovers that looked like Star Fleet uniforms. By limiting the design changes to the lettering and the small Star Fleet insignia I think they struck a good balance.

And yes, I do want one.

www.metspolice.com
@metspolice

June 3, 2009

Mailbag: Noise, New York Mets Black Uniforms, Yankee Stadium

Does anyone know the answer to this question? I’m not sure exactly what the situation is, but we have a nice community here so I thought maybe you guys would know:

Whats the deal with the new bar policy at citi field. After spending $13,000 bucks on field level seats for the season I am now told that the bars I have gone to for the first eight games I can no longer use. Just like that a policy change. I was not asked to buy passes like I did for diamond club at shea. Just like that im out of luck with no explanation…That is soooooo wrong. But it seems anyone with a ticket can come down to my level and hang around, buy their beers and stand behind my seats for the whole game if they want but I cant even get on to their level anymore. Someone definitely dropped the ball on that one.. It seems I cant get to a bar but yet you can get a cheaper seat on stub-hub and get into the clubs…Who’s the genius that thought that one up… No wonder they cant sell all the seats… I’m done after this year… I’ll get mine on stubhub next year and visit all the different clubs…..

Yesterday’s post “Make Some Noise. Woooooo Make Some Noise! Come On…“: generated some reaction

I couldn’t stand how they turned Shea into one big commercial break over the years. It’s not baseball, it’s money grubbing owners. The experience listening on the radio – WFAN – is much worse now than just a couple of years ago. Unrelated to the new park, but most definitely related to the money grubbing Wilpons. The announcers, Rose and Hagan, now read commercials DURING at-bats. I first heard this on a Yankee radio broadcast a few years ago. “I’m glad they don’t do that during Met games,” was my reaction. I can’t stand to listen to it anymore.

You know… Bernie Madoff never did anything to me personally. If I had a gripe against him, though, it would be that he didn’t steal ENOUGH money from the Wilpons. Another hundred mil or so and maybe they would have been forced to sell.

also from Make Some Noise. Woooooo Make Some Noise! Come On…“:

BRAVO!!!

I was sitting in Left Field Landing and the loudspeakers were pouring it on, horrible. However, I also sat this weekend in the Promenade and it wasn’t as bad, but of course duck and cover is not the point, nor are ear plugs the solution…

I think the problem is that NO ONE complains. What is the best way to complain?

I’m starting to think that sites like this (I said like this, I’m not taking credit for the world….) can change things. The Yankees blogs got feisty about “the moat” and batting practice and the Yankees partially relented.

The Mets did a uniform survey that I found curiously timed.

There are bigger Mets sites out there, but I’m seeing that this site can have influence. I’m increasingly being pitched stories, being asked to write about things – all of that is great – and some of the best stuff on the site has come from guest columns. (If you have one just email it to [email protected] and mention that you want it posted).

When we’re lucky, one of the bigger sites whether it be Metsblog or Amazin Avenue or Bitter Bill or NJ.com or one of the other papers catches what we’re complaining about and writes about it. That’s how we as fans can affect change.

One good column in a Sunday paper could get the Mets to revisit the noise assault – so keep the comments coming, keep writing your thoughts and I’ll post them.

“Yuck! New York Mets Wear Hybrid Hats With The Pin…“:

Argh! Just catching up on what the Mets have been wearing the past week and was horrified to see this combination. I’m almost tempted to say dick around with black all you like but lets not mess with the classics. It’s like doing a dance version of Mozart, a modern-art version of a Leonardo, remaking the Godfather!

Well, it’s a black and blue hat with pinstripes, but it’s still not great. Not great at all.

One of the faithful Mets Police readers has a really really cool idea related to the black uniforms and how we might get rid of them while making the world a better place. I want to spend some time getting up to speed on his idea, and time it well so we get some pickup (see the explanation of that above).

Finally, I love the New Stadium Insider and am enjoying our back and forth as he continues to deny that Yankee Stadium is a lemon. I’ll be at Yankee tonight with my camera.

Ross has left a new comment on your post ““Did You Ever Serve A Subpoena On The Mets?”“:

These things will be addressed in the offseason. For now, I’d rather the fun that a launching pad provides than the boredom that watching pitchers hit and balls die in the outfield that Citi Field provides.

www.metspolice.com
@metspolice

June 3, 2009

Paul McCartney at Citi Field Confirmed.

Here’s the Paul McCartney press release. Good choice, the right choice.

PAUL MCCARTNEY PERFORMS FIRST EVER CONCERTS AT NEW YORK’S CITI FIELD

ON FRIDAY, JULY 17 & SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009

* * *

McCartney Returns to New York to Continue

Inaugural Concert Tradition

* * *

Tickets Go On Sale Monday, June 15 at 10:00 A.M ET
Online Exclusively at www.507TIXX.com and By Phone at 718-507-TIXX

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 3, 2009 – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul McCartney will perform the historic first concerts at Citi Field – the new home of the Mets – Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18.

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 15 at 10:00 A.M. ET online exclusively at www.507TIXX.com and by phone at 718-507-TIXX. These concerts are rain or shine

These inaugural concert events at Citi Field mark the latest in a series of landmark performances that link the beloved Beatle with New York City and the home of the Mets. Beginning with The Beatles’ legendary musical christening of Shea Stadium in 1965, and continuing with McCartney’s special appearance at Billy Joel’s “Last Play at Shea” show that closed the stadium last year, McCartney’s summer shows at Citi Field will once again mark a

momentous occasion in the history of New York – and rock n’ roll itself.

“I am really excited about playing Citi Field – The Beatles were the first to play at Shea Stadium and along with Billy Joel, I was the last to sing at the old Shea,” said Paul McCartney. “So to be the first to play this stadium is incredible. I am really looking forward to a buzzing show.”

“Every time Paul McCartney steps on a stage is a special event because of the timelessness of the music and the enthusiasm and verve that this icon gives to each performance,” said Randy Phillips, President & CEO of AEG Live. “Christening Citi Field as a venue will give this concert the added weight of the historical significance of The Beatles appearance at Shea Stadium 44 years ago.”

“There’s no more appropriate artist in the history of rock and roll to play the first concert at Citi Field,” said Jeff Wilpon, COO, New York Mets. “The era of big-time rock and roll concerts started with Paul and The Beatles at Shea and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition at our new home.”

The Citi Field concerts on July 17 and July 18 will feature classics from McCartney’s extensive catalog, including Beatles, Wings and solo career hits as well as selections from his most recent album Electric Arguments, released under his alias The Fireman.

Additionally, the Citi Field shows will be McCartney’s first U.S. appearances since his recent headlining stand at the first night of this year’s Coachella festival and the same weekend’s record-breaking one-off opening of the new Joint in Las Vegas. Reactions to the two sold out 2.5 hour performances were unanimously ecstatic from fans and critics alike:

June 3, 2009

New York Mets Santana’s Long Inning Last Week

Last week in the promenade a friend and I argued about whether or not Santana should have come out after a 41 pitch inning, especially when immediately followed by a short time at bat for the Mets.

Last night I was in the car and Howie and Wayne were telling me Santana's velocity was down. Metsblog tells me he retired the first 10 and then 8 of the next 12 hitters got on. I hope Jerry didn't manage one game at the cost of a season

Let's keep an eye on this one. I know the lineup isn't awesome, but that doesn't take mph off your pitches.

Here's how crazy the Mets roster is. I turn on the radio and I hear "Sanchez" got a hit. I was happy. Then my brain tried to recall who Sanchez is. Catcher? No that's Santos. The kid they got from the Indians? No. Maybe they called up an outfielder?

Oops, he's a Pirate.

Wayne Hagin calls a perfectly nice game but there's something very out of town about him. He doesn't seem to know Mets history (and Howie can well cover him there). Just seems like a guy passing through more than someone who'll have a 20 year run in the Mets booth.

The Mets should take a look at local guy Chris Carrino (you hear him doing Nets games on WFAN) who is old school in that he calls games without snappy schtick. How Chris Carlin gets gigs over Carrino amazes me.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

June 3, 2009

126th Street Is Waiting To Be Developed

Last week when I went out to Citi Field I took these pics.

media goon left a new comment last week on post “Pictures Of New York Mets Pennant Logos At Citi Fi…“: that I think is dead on point.

I think the wilpons in their infinite wisdom(maybe thinking of the future of the iron triangle) are hoping that when the area is all “revitalized” thats where fans will come in from..you know from the shopping and theme restaurants.

It’s crazy that across the street from a brand new park are a bunch of tire shops.

How much money do you think a halfway decent sports bar would do there. Not even a fancy ESPN overpriced thing – a basic “Stan’s” type.

I could see a hotel, some bars and well…a hockey arena…doing quite well.