Continuing our series, here’s another one of the “lost” posts that didn’t fire on Thanksgiving weekend. Here’s Eric…
1. When did you start following the Mets?
I was born in 1974 and I started following the Mets around 82 or 83.
The Mets were perfect for me because even as a kid I never dreamed
about being the star slugger. I always identified with the jack of all
trades utility man. I looked up to guys like Joel Youngblood and Ron
Gardenhire.
Come 1984 I became a lifer as my heart was truly captured by the Mets
and one Doc Gooden. As a 10 year old kid, going to see him pitch was
the most important thing in the world.
2. What is your favorite Mets memory?
September 17th, 1986. The night the Mets clinched the NL East Pennant.
I was there with my mom and my sister – we got in for free because
Pepsi had a promotion in 1986 where if you got 100 can tabs you’d get
two free tickets to a game. My grandfather, being retired and knowing
my love for the Mets, picked up hundreds of
tabs off the streets of Queens for me. I went to something like 10
free games that season… with this one being the pinnacle.
Shea Stadium felt so alive, it was shaking so hard, we literally
thought it might fall. Best night ever, even though my worried mom
wouldn’t let me run on the field.
3. What is your worst Mets memory or experience?
There are two – watching the NY Yankees win the 2000 World Series at
Shea was completely depressing. Seeing them celebrate on the field at
Shea coupled with thousands of obnoxious Yankee fans in the stands was
just miserable. The other was seeing Shea come down. Maybe I’m being
nostalgic, but I liked Shea. I could see the entire field, even from
the far reaches of the Upper Deck. I could afford to sit up there on
most nights, and unlike many people, I think Shea was a good looking
park. The field itself was gorgeous. In 40 years I bet stadium
designers will be talking about the merits of Shea and replicating the
design which let all fans see all the action.
4. If you could change one off-field thing about the franchise what
would it be?
I’d do fun promotions like letting any child named Mookie in for free
for life. I’d have days where adults can walk the bases on the field
too, not just the kids. I’d love to do that! I’d create a virtual
banner day where fans create online banners that are displayed on the
Diamond Vision. I’d make the “obstructed view” seats fun to sit in –
call them “pretzel seats” or “soda seats” – charge less for them and
have them come with a coupon for a free soda and pretzel. Turn a
negative into a positive.
5. If you owned the team starting tomorrow, what is the first thing
you would change?
I’d make the Upper Deck all general admission seating for one set
price for all games. Maybe 10 bucks up there for all games.
What locked me in as a lifelong baseball and Met fan was being able to
go to games, first with my family and then with my friends. We were
able to save our allowances and count out our pennies and go to a game
on almost every home stand. Shea truly became our home away from home.
How can kids today afford to go every week or two on their own?
Make the money downstairs. Make lifelong fans upstairs.
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