Author: Shannon Shark @metspolice

In the past I have savaged these, but this one is pretty good!  Hey, if you don’t sign any players and you’re blatantly rebuilding, at least give the people a cool Mercury Mets shirt.

But lets start with this:

Also new for the 2024 season, all Saturday home games between March 28 and May 25 will feature a 1:40 p.m. start, and a start at 4:10 p.m. between June 1 and September 21.  This game time change was driven by the results from a Mets fan survey that indicated nearly 90 percent of respondents favored earlier game times on Saturdays in order to bring kids, family and large groups to games.

Now THAT’S interesting because in the past (the Wilpons era) I was told their research showed that fans didn’t want Saturday day games.   NINETY PERCENT????   So is the Cohen research flawed, the Wilpons research flawed, or did something change.  You mean to tell me the Mets have been starting games at at time that NINETY PERCENT of their fans didn’t like?

OK on to the promotions:

I want to goof on the Hello Kitty, but whatever.

PRIDE HAT!!!!   Hey, the Mets are finally coming around.  Now if you want to impress me, wear the pride hats on the field, but one thing at a tim I guess.

A MERCURY METS PIAZZA JERSEY???!!!!  Now that’s something we can all rally behind.  Fans will be storming the gates of Citi Field to get their hands on one of these.  Arguable the best Mets giveaway since actual full size Bats in the 80s.

A REVERSIBLE HOODIE?  That’s gonna be paper thin, isn’t it?  But even then that’s not awful for a summer night.  Although going to a Wednesday game in September is a mighty tall ask.

HAWAIIAN SHIRT and BUCKET HAT – well, that’s my summer outfit right there.

I know a lot of you think that I only rip the Mets, but I actually am here to deal fairly.  Unfortunately, the Mets deserve to be ripped almost every day, but NOT TODAY!  Good job Mets.  Nice list here.  Keep up the good work, and thanks for coming around on Saturday Day Games!

GOOD JOB METS!

NEW YORK METS ANNOUNCE INITIAL 2024 PROMOTIONS SCHEDULE, NEW SATURDAY GAME TIMES

 

Several new items will accompany returning fan favorites as the current promotions’ lineup for the 2024 season

 

 

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 31, 2024 – The New York Mets today announced the club’s 2024 promotions schedule at Citi Field. Individual tickets for all home games at Citi Field are currently on sale and can be purchased online at Mets.com/Tickets or calling 718-507-TIXX. The first 15,000 fans will receive promotional items unless otherwise noted.

Over the course of the season the Mets will feature multiple bobbleheads along with an all-new artist series.

• Mr. Met London telephone booth bobblehead presented by Coca-Cola on Saturday, May 11
• Artist Series: Joel Mesler beach tote on Saturday, May 25
• Hello Kitty® light-up bow bobblehead on Sunday, May 26
• Brandon Nimmo bobblehead presented by Hyundai on Friday, July 12
• Artist Series: Rashid Johnson bucket hat on Saturday, July 13
• Francisco Lindor streetwear bobblehead presented by Delta Air Lines on Monday, July 29

The Mets all-new artist series collaborates with well-known artists, who have incorporated their unique artistic style into limited edition items for this season.

Additionally, returning this season are countless fan-favorites including the Mets sports jersey nights alongside multiple new apparel giveaway nights.

• Rugby shirt presented by SeatGeek on Monday, April 1
• Hogwarts^TM House scarves presented by Northwell on Saturday, April 27
• Hawaiian shirt presented by Nathan’s on Saturday, June 15
• Pride hat presented by Citi on Friday, June 28
• Basketball jersey presented by Premio on Sunday, June 30
• Soccer jersey presented by Samsung on Tuesday, July 9
• Mike Piazza Mercury Mets replica jersey on Saturday, July 27
• Football jersey on Sunday, August 18
• Reversible hoodie presented by Citi on Wednesday, September 18
• Fan appreciation beanie for all fans on Saturday, September 21

Rounding out our lineup of promotions for this season is a tumbler presented by Northwell on Sunday, May 12, a pickleball paddle presented by Citi on Thursday, July 25 and Topps baseball cards on Wednesday, July 31 to the first 10,000 fans.

Also new for the 2024 season, all Saturday home games between March 28 and May 25 will feature a 1:40 p.m. start, and a start at 4:10 p.m. between June 1 and September 21.  This game time change was driven by the results from a Mets fan survey that indicated nearly 90 percent of respondents favored earlier game times on Saturdays in order to bring kids, family and large groups to games.

On Sunday, April 14, the Mets will retire RHP Dwight Gooden’s jersey number 16 in a pre-game ceremony. Additionally, the Mets will retire outfielder Darryl Strawberry’s jersey number 18 in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday, June 1.

Lastly, the Mets will host four fireworks nights starting on Friday, May 31, Friday, June 28, Friday, July 26 and Friday, August 16.

Promotion dates, items and distribution are subject to change and/or cancellation.

Over at Uni Watch they have some images of the 2024 Mets road jerseys.  I will practice Honor Among Bloggers and send you there rather than just thieve Paul’s work, which I might do if I ran a regional sports network.

The numbers are too thin, but that’s the least of our problems.

The N E W Y O R K looks stupidly small, but Paul gives us hope that it’s just the camera angle.

What’s not the camera angle is the NOB font which is ridiculously tiny.  As in, “who the heck approved THAT” tiny?

As with all things baseball in the 2020s, if MLB can make things worse, they will.  And the uniforms are worse.

They are so bad that many in the comments are hoping it’s actually a Chinese knockoff jersey, which is what it looks like.

Check it out.

in the Post, Mike Puma writes:

The high ceiling has been replaced by what Mets officials perceive as a raised floor.

Mike then tells us about all the great pitchers the Mets have, and basically sounds like Omar telling us about the 7, 8 and 9.

Which brings me to today’s point:  What exactly are the Mets selling this season  Hey kids, come see Adrian Houser?

Yes winning will always draw a crowd but with no names on the marquee how long will it take for Mets fans to Catch The Fever this season?

My house doesn’t even get SNY any more, and I don’t care.  If I want to watch Opening Day I will find a way, but last season I watched the opener and got bored with Gary Cohen in Game 2 and never watched another game and….Steve you really are missing the point….DIDN’T MISS IT.

As I wrote at the end of last season, and was commented on by Uncle Steve himself – the Mets should see the warning sign that even the T-Shirt Army checked out last year.  If those guys aren’t coming, then I’d worry about the casuals.

Or is this really about the land and the casino?

 

Hmmm I do need a new bucket hat

 

NT. JERRY’S APARTMENT – DAY

Steve enters Jerry’s apartment and immediately notices Kramer enjoying a container of fried rice.

STEVE: (curious) Kramer, that smells incredible. Where’d you get that?

KRAMER: (enthusiastically) Oh, it’s from this new place around the corner. The line is around the block, Steve! This stuff is gold!

STEVE: (thoughtfully) A line around the block, huh? Kramer, I think you’re onto something. We should add this to the menu at Citi Field!

Jerry, lounging on the couch, looks up with a smirk.

JERRY: (mockingly) Chinese food at a baseball game, Steve? Really?

STEVE: (defensively) Really, Jerry. It’s about offering variety. Fans will love it!

JERRY: (teasingly) What about something Japanese? Like, say, Ohtani? Fans would have loved that!

Steve’s face falls slightly at the mention of Ohtani.

STEVE: (sighing) He never called, Jerry.

JERRY: (teasing) So what’s next, Steve? Dim sum carts in the outfield?

STEVE: (condescendingly) Jerry, you have to understand, Citi Field is about more than just baseball. It’s about the total fan experience.

JERRY: (sarcastically) Oh, I know. It’s clearly not about baseball.  My favorite thing about the ’86 World Series was the Shea Stadium lasagna.

As they banter, Elaine enters the apartment, catching the tail end of the conversation.

ELAINE: (curiously) Who’s getting lasagna?

STEVE: (enthusiastically) No, Elaine, we’re talking about adding fried rice to the menu at Citi Field!

ELAINE: (skeptical) Fried rice at a baseball game? That’s stupid. It’s going to get all over the place.

JERRY: (chuckling) Yeah, nothing says ‘Take me out to the ball game’ like spilling soy sauce on your jersey.

STEVE: (stubbornly) You’ll see. It’s going to be a hit. I’m even going to do a big press release about it!

INT. METS OFFICE – DAY

Steve is pacing around his office, a look of intense concentration on his face. David, his assistant, is poised with a notepad and pen, ready to take notes.

STEVE: (dictating) “In an unprecedented culinary venture, the New York Mets are proud to announce the opening of the first-ever fried rice stand at Citi Field…”

DAVID: (writing) “First-ever fried rice stand…” Got it.

STEVE: (getting more excited) “This isn’t just any fried rice – it’s baseball-themed fried rice. Introducing our ‘Home Run Rice,’ ‘Slider Special,’ and ‘Catchers’ Combo’…”

DAVID: (scribbling down) “Home Run Rice, Slider Special…”

STEVE: (with a flourish) “And for the adventurous fan, don’t miss our ‘Seventh-Inning Stretch Spicy Surprise’ – so hot it’ll make you stand up and cheer!”

DAVID: (hesitantly) “Seventh-Inning… Stretch Spicy Surprise?”

STEVE: (nodding) “Each dish is served in a collectible Mets helmet, doubling as a souvenir and a handy snack holder.”

DAVID: (doubtfully) “Served in a helmet, sir?”

STEVE: (enthusiastically) “Yes! And here’s the kicker – every Friday night, fans can participate in the ‘Great Fried Rice Toss’ for a chance to win season tickets!”

DAVID: (astonished) “Great Fried Rice Toss?”

STEVE: (concluding) “‘Mets Rice’ – changing the game, one grain at a time.”

DAVID: (finishing up) “Changing the game, one grain at a time…” Are we really doing all this, boss?

STEVE: (confidently) Absolutely, David. It’s going to be a hit.

DAVID:  Oh, I meant to tell you, Pete Alonso’s agent called.

STEVE:  Tell him I am busy, I’ll call him back.

The scene ends with David looking bewildered, still scribbling notes, while Steve stands proudly, fully convinced of his groundbreaking yet utterly absurd idea.