Mets plus Police? I’m in – Sting and Billy Joel to play Citi Field

I’ve wanted to catch Sting’s current tour – he’s playing rock songs as a trio.

I guess I’m gonna have to actually go to Queens for once.  Pretty cool.

Oh and the Mets signed Pete Alonso, who cares.

(New York, NY – February 6, 2025) – Billy Joel and Sting – two of the most renowned recording artists in history announce a one-night-only performance at Citi Field in Queens, NY, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The iconic musicians will each perform their most beloved songs from throughout their illustrious careers. The spectacular show promises to be an unforgettable evening of live music.

Billy Joel will be making his first concert appearance at Citi Field after headlining the final two concerts at Shea Stadium in 2008. Sting will also be making his first appearance at Citi Field. As a member of The Police, Sting performed at Shea Stadium on August 18, 1983.

“We’re thrilled to host Billy Joel and Sting at Citi Field this summer as part of our ongoing concert lineup for 2025,” said Mets VP of Events Nikki Romolo. “Throughout Mets history, there’s always been a special connection with Billy Joel and the Mets. From closing Shea Stadium with the two final concerts in 2008, performing the “Star Spangled Banner” before the 2015 World Series, to “Piano Man” echoing throughout Citi Field regularly during games. We’re looking forward to welcoming this native New Yorker home for his first concert at Citi Field.”

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 14 at 10 AM EDT at LiveNation.com. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning on Monday, February 10 at 10 AM EDT until Thursday, February 13 at 10 PM EDT through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details, visit www.citientertainment.com.

ABOUT BILLY JOEL:

New York’s iconic native is considered one of the most beloved recording artists and esteemed entertainers in history. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth bestselling recording artist and the fourth-bestselling solo artist with more than 160 million records sold worldwide. His 1985 compilation album, “Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2,” is one of the bestselling albums in the United States.

Joel’s songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people across five decades. Joel’s string of 33 Top 40 hits, all of which Joel has written himself, began with 1973’s autobiographical “Piano Man,” written while Joel was playing in a Los Angeles lounge. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected “Piano Man” for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its “cultural, historic and artistic significance.” The hits have continued for almost five decades, with three of Joel’s Top 40 songs – “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me,” “Tell Her About It” and “We Didn’t Start The Fire” – peaking at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts and 23 Grammy nominations awarded to Joel since he signed his first recording contract in 1972.

Joel is one of the most engaging and bestselling live performers of our time, with songs like “Uptown Girl,” “Just The Way You Are,” “The Longest Time” and “Vienna” – amongst countless others. In January 2014, Joel began Madison Square Garden’s first-ever music franchise performing one show at The Garden each month – Billboard Magazine called it “The Greatest Arena Run in History.” More than 50 years after his The Garden debut, after 10 years of sold-out shows, his final concert marked Joel’s 150th lifetime performance at the venue this past July.

The long list of accolades awarded to Joel across his career is a testament to the reverence given to him by fans, critics, and fellow musicians alike. Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by his idol Ray Charles in 1999 – Joel has received the RIAA’s Diamond Award twice for Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II and The Stranger, presented for albums that have sold more than 10 million copies. He is the recipient of six GRAMMY Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Legend Award. Joel has been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame including the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award. He was inducted by Barack and Michelle Obama at the 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honor and he received a TONY AWARD for “Movin’ Out,” a Broadway musical based on Joel’s music.

As a humanitarian, The Joel Foundation has made and pledged more than $7 million in charitable donations with a focus on music education and humanitarian aid. In addition to supporting vital global relief efforts, The Joel Foundation provides grants to organizations throughout New York City and Long Island leveraging the power of music to enhance the lives of people of every age.  Recently, The Joel Foundation announced the continuation of its long-term investment in Long Island’s only public arts high school, Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA), serving student artists in a pre-conservatory model with a focus on career and technical education.

ABOUT STING:

Composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author, and activist Sting was born in Newcastle, England before moving to London in 1977 to form The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five studio albums, earned six Grammy Awards and two Brits, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

As one of the world’s most distinctive solo artists, Sting has received an additional 11 Grammy Awards, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Oscar nominations (including 2017’s nomination for “The Empty Chair” from JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY), a TONY nomination, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award, and MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year.  Also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he has received the Kennedy Center Honors, The American Music Award of Merit and The Polar Music Prize. Sting has been awarded Honorary Doctorates of Music by the University of Northumbria (1992), Berklee College of Music (1994), University of Newcastle upon Tyne (2006) and Brown University at its 250th Commencement ceremony (2018).

Throughout his illustrious career, Sting has sold over 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as a solo artist.

Sting, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, is shaking things up with his “STING 3.0″ World Tour. Joined by virtuoso guitarist and longtime collaborator, Dominic Miller, and dynamic drummer Chris Maas (Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rogers), the power trio perform the most electrifying hits and rarities from Sting’s timeless discography. The “STING 3.0” Tour represents a new dynamic era showcasing selections from his vast catalog through the urgent lens of a tight three-piece combo and inspired his new song, “I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)”– mixed by 4-time Grammy Award-winning mix engineer Robert Orton – released on Cherrytree Music Company/Interscope Records. Full “STING 3.0” Tour itinerary can be found here.

He has appeared in more than 15 films, executive produced the critically acclaimed A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, and in 1989 starred in The Threepenny Opera on Broadway.  His most recent theatre project was the TONY-nominated musical The Last Ship, inspired by his memories of the shipbuilding community of Wallsend in the North East of England where he was born and raised. The show, with music and lyrics by Sting, ran on Broadway in 2014/2015.

Sting’s support for human rights organizations such as the Rainforest Fund, Amnesty International, and Live Aid mirrors his art in its universal outreach.  Along with wife Trudie Styler, Sting founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989 to protect both the world’s rainforests and the indigenous people living there.  Together they have held 18 benefit concerts to raise funds and awareness for our planet’s endangered resources. Since its inception, the Rainforest Fund has expanded to a network of interconnected organizations working in more than 20 countries over three continents. Official Website

Mets to launch the Amazin’ Advisors Research Panel, made up of 15,000 fans

Sports Business Journal caught up with Justin Friedman who is the Mets senior vice president of strategy and analytics.

The data even led to a change in game times. The Mets shifted Saturday home games to 1 p.m., following a fan survey in which 80% voted for the earlier start time to prioritize family-friendly accessibility. They also reduced parking costs for season-ticket members.

(Shannon here – Pssst, told ya so about the start times…)

In February, the team will launch the Amazin’ Advisors Research Panel, made up of 15,000 fans from their database as well as season-ticket holders and those responding to ballpark promotions. Members will be able to send the team feedback, positive or negative, as part of what the team called an “ongoing dialogue.”

“It will be a direct place for us to listen,” Friedman said. “And we’ll know who the fan is in the process.”  (via Sports Business Journal)

Mets Branding Getting Worse and Worse, Steve and Alex – the 2025 Spring Training Mets Cap

Steve and Alex,

If a seven year old wants to wear this one, fine.

But please have your employees dress like a professional baseball team.  You’ve jerked around with the road jerseys, you brought back the black and didn’t even bring in the “good” version of the black, and now this.

You have set the franchise backward, and have 0 rings to show for it.

Do better.

Or are you guys just openly telegraphing us that you aren’t what you seem?

Looks like the Mets tweaked the gray road jerseys too

I can’t imagine Howie would have commented on this if it’s not real.

Several thoughts here –

The road jerseys were perfect.  Well except for the sponsor swoosh.  I don’t understand why the Mets are messing with the road uniforms at all.

If one must mess with them, these aren’t horrible.

If you’re not sure what’s changed. it’s missing the blue piping down the middle among other tweaks.

I feel like I used to understand Howie.  The young Howie that hosted Mets Extra.

Over the past few years, I feel like Establishment Howie and I increasingly disagree on things.  I guess it’s a good thing he’s close to the organization and keeps them focused through the Alumni Committee and such (but then again, Mets Hall of Famer Al Leiter, really?) but I also see more and more of some Howie Rose Colored Glasses where he rolls over on stuff…..like an unnecessary tweak to the road jerseys.

For reference, a Mets road jersey should look like this….which Howie knows better.  It’s OK Howie, Steve can’t touch you at this point.  Speak freely.

And the more recent incarnation (ignore the illegal undershirt).  And man doesn’t the uniform look wayyyyyyyy better without a swoosh and a hospital advertisement?