Author: Shannon Shark @metspolice

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)

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?

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?

 

 

INT. CITI FIELD PARKING LOT – DAY

[Jerry and Steve are standing near the equipment truck. Mr. and Mrs. Met are loading boxes]

Jerry: So this is it, huh? The annual tradition of false hope leaving for Florida?

Steve: (defensive) Hey, this year is different! We’ve got Soto!

Jerry: Yeah, and last year you had “discussions” with Ohtani. And the year before that you were “in” on Judge.

Steve: This is real! We actually signed him!

Jerry:  Sure, but you lost Alonso. It’s like trading your car for a better stereo system.

Steve: (defensive) The fans love the stereo system!

Jerry: Until they realize they have to walk to the games.

[Mr. Met struggles with a box marked “World Series Dreams”]

Jerry: You might want to ship that one ground.  You know, for a guy with such a big head, he’s not very strong.

Steve: (ignoring Jerry) Look at this, The kids from the hospital wrote letters to the players.

Jerry: (reading one) “Dear Mets, please don’t finish third again.”  I don’t think that’s from a kid.  That’s probably from that guy with the…..

Steve: (snatching the letter) Give me that!

[Chad the social media intern runs up with his phone]

Chad: Mr. Steve! Should I tweet that the truck is heading to Florida with #LGM or #LFGM?

Steve: (sighing) Just post a picture of the Grimace waving goodbye to the truck.

Jerry: (incredulous) The Grimace isn’t even here!

Steve: (winking) The fans don’t know that.

Jerry: You really think Mets fans are that stupid?

Steve: (smugly): Jerry, Jerry, Jerry… we finished in third place last year and distracted these idiots with a purple McDonald’s mascot and a song.  We even let a cyrpto-scammer throw out the first pitch.  Boy, let me tell you how viral that went.  Two million views!

Jerry: So did the video of Mr. Met falling down the stairs.

Steve:  Jerry, these people, they love the viral stuff.

Jerry: And they fell for it?

Steve: Fell for it? They bought Grimace t-shirts! They made TikToks! They forgot we lost to Oakland!

Jerry: You lost to Oakland?

Steve: See? Even you forgot! That’s the power of marketing, Jerry. Who needs wins when you have viral moments?

[Steve makes a motion like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat]

Steve:  Jerry, it’s like this.  L.A. signs someone…abracadabra….we’re retiring David Wright’s number!  Everyone’s happy again.

Jerry: So your whole strategy is just… distraction?

[Elaine arrives]

Elaine:  I thought you’d be inside. What are you all doing out here in the cold?

Jerry: Watching the annual migration of false hope to Florida.

[Mr. Met drops a box labeled “World Series Plans”]

Jerry: Well, that’s symbolic.

Steve: (to Mr. Met) Be careful with that!

Elaine: Hey, why wasn’t Soto at Amazin’ Day?

Steve: (defensive) He couldn’t get a plane.

Elaine: He couldn’t get a plane? The guy making $500 million couldn’t find a plane?

Steve: (more defensive) It’s very complicated, Elaine. There are… logistics involved.

Jerry: What kind of logistics? It’s a plane. You get on it, it takes off, you land. Besides, don’t you have a plane?  You were the one flying off to Japan pretending you were going to sign one of the big Japanese free agents.  You couldn’t send your plane?

[Driver and Mr. Met approach with a box]

Driver:  Boss, what should we do with these Pete Alonso jerseys?

Steve (dis-interested):   Ehhh…put them in the storage unit on Roosevelt with the stuff from the old museum.

[Chad runs up with new tweets]

Chad: Mr. Steve! People are asking why Soto couldn’t make it to Amazin’ Day!

Steve: (irritated) Tell them he was… practicing! Yes, he was practicing.

Jerry: Practicing what? How to find an airport?

[Chad’s phone buzzes]

Chad: Mr. Steve! The Grimace tweet is going viral! Should I add something about the dance team, or do you want me to push the Hello Kitty bobblehead?

Steve: (excited) Both! And mention we’re bringing back the black jerseys!

Jerry: Black jerseys? You just announced Blue  Jerseys last weekend!

Steve: (smugly) Exactly! Keep them guessing!

[The truck driver approaches]

Driver: We’re ready to go. Just need someone to sign off.

Jerry: (to Steve) You know, most teams just quietly send their equipment to Florida.

Steve: Jerry, Jerry, Jerry… where’s the sponsored marketing opportunity in that?

[The truck starts pulling away  Mr. and Mrs. Met wave goodbye while doing a synchronized dance]

Jerry: (to Elaine) Remember when baseball was just about baseball?

Steve: (checking his phone) Hey, we’re trending! #MetsEquipmentTruck2025!

 

These are on the MLB Shop.

The New York one isn’t atrocious, although putting a city name on a cap is too much.  That said, it’s probably wearable as a civilian.

The other one is atrocious.

I assume the New York one is for road BP.   What are we even doing?