Category: mets

I was doing the morning rounds and the Google Tracker noticed that someone in the Mets Blog comments asked that instead of doing NYBD’s Top 50 Mets that someone do the Worst 50 Mets.

That’s so wrong, yet fun.  Let’s go for it.   I think to be the worst you have to do something to achieve worsedom…like be traded for Tom Seaver, or displace Dave Magadan at first, or spend half a season not pitching and not going to AAA.   There’s no sense on picking on guys who had like 4 at bats.

I will go first and nominate Juan Samuel. The Mets gave up Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell to get this CFer who hit .228 in 86 games for the 1991 Mets.  Thanks Juan.

Another look back.  Remember when the Mets sent plan holders a floating baseball…and the instructions suggested we “Injoy the Floating Feeling.”   This was the unofficial slogan of the Summer of 2010….and we also got to debate whether or not that’s Jeff Wilpon looking at his nails.

Like most of the good material on Mets Police this was photoshopped by our friend Randy over at the Blog of the Year: The Apple.

A guest post from Tim:

Today, New Yankee Stadium will host a football game.  The TV audience will likely be treated to grainy footage of Alan Ameche, Sam Huff and Knute Rockne.  I am sure, that at multiple points, announcers will erroneously state that, “this is the first time Yankee Stadium has hosted a bowl game since 1962” (A comment that would only be accurate if they played this game in the rubble across the street).

From keeping their name on the building, to staging fights and football games, to their continuing effort to celebrate the history that never actually happened in this building, the Yankees have done everything imaginable to reinforce the public belief that their new stadium is a world-class venue every bit as famous as the old one.

I understand the Mets aren’t the Yankees.  Through the years, our favorite team has had the lesser history, the lesser uniform, and the lesser Matsui.  However, since 2008, they haven’t had the lesser ballpark.  Yet through inactivity, the Mets have willingly and unnecessarily taken their facility disadvantage with them across the parking lot in Flushing.

This was the time to start fresh and get creative with a building as fine as any in the city or region.  Here are couple things I’d love to see them try:

• · Convince two Big East Schools to play their annual football game at Citi Field: Syracuse, UConn & Rutgers are the obvious candidates.  A regular, neutral-site game between any two of the above schools, would draw fans from across the tri-state area, cultivate rivalry, and could develop into a significant annual event.  Plus, I think Citi Field would look cool with each side of the field decked out in opposing team colors. (A NYC-take on the Jacksonville Cocktail Party).

• · Host the first UFC event in New York: At some point, Mixed Martial Arts will finally be sanctioned by the New York state athletic commission.  When this finally happens, the first UFC event held in New York will likely be the biggest event they have ever staged.  Cultivate a relationship with Dana White & the UFC now, so that Citi Field is first in line to host this historic event as soon as it’s legal.

• · Host a World Cup Qualifier: No sports event carries more global relevance than the World Cup.  In an effort to gain a significant home field advantage, US Soccer has hosted their World Cup qualifier against Mexico in cold, northern cities such as Chicago and Columbus during the winter.  Why not Queens?  Imagine a flag-adorned big apple rising up from behind the wall as team USA scores a goal.

• · Host the NHL Winter Classic: I know this is easier said than done.  There are many venues trying to host this game.  Unfortunately, for many of the reasons listed above, Citi Field is perceived as a lower-profile facility than “Yankee Stadium”.  It doesn’t have to be.

Let “Yankee Stadium” host boxing matches & football games between faded gridiron powers of the past.  Citi Field can own the future.  With a new focus on some key non-baseball events, the Mets can raise the profile of both their brand and their home.  What do you think?

Great ideas.  You are so right about the Yankees out-hustling the new buildings.  I know my Yankees friend Mr. Sunshine actually thinks the place across the street (thanks Steve Somers) is the real deal.   He’s at the Pinstripe Bowl right now!  The Yankees could screen a game of Madden at he’d go if Hal told him to.

The ballpark argument was valid from about 1976 until 2009.   The Mets have a new stadium and their own TV network and also play in New York.  They shouldn’t be at a disadvantage.

However, what we’ve seen since October whether it be Sandy or the surveys, it seems the Mets have decided to work on their brand.  Winning hides lots of sins (winning in 2009 sure soothed over that whole knockdown thing), but not having a clownfest in Queens will be a big start.   It was only 20 years ago when this was Mets-town.  A generation was lost, but the next generation doesn’t need to be.

I was going to do this tomorrow but since readership will be a little higher today I wanted to get this out there – THANK YOU.

I have different statistical sites that I can look at to see the number of visitors, and according to the most conservative method (Google) the site is up 21% year to year in terms of visits and over 43% in page views (thanks to the re-design in February 2010).

Looking at a different metric, one that I don’t truly believe but it’s fun to dream, it’s fun to look at a box telling me there have been 2.5 million page views when I log in.   While not the biggest site by any means (I think Mets Blog has that many page views before lunch) it’s kinda cool for a kid from Queens turned Fat Guy in the Uppers.

The most important metric to me is our community.  I love the ideas and suggestions from you guys and I love the discussions.  I’m particularly pleased that things get discussed here without namecalling and trolls.

Also of importance is the metric of influence.  As we’ve heard from Dave from Flushing himself, they read Mets Police out in Queens.   That’s kind of neat, and maybe some of these ideas will stick.  (Were they thinking about Citi Field tours anyway, or was this February 2010 suggestion heard?)

If you’re a relatively new reader, the site is at its best when it is about fan advocacy (ticket prices, parking, obstructed views etc).  In between those stories I enjoy writing about team history as viewed through my eyes and sometimes those eyes have a mancrush on Lee Mazzilli.    I also enjoy writing about uniforms and alternate Mets caps as diversions.

My goal continues to be to encourage the Mets to win with honor and tradition while dressed nicely.   Hopefully they win the World Series in blackless uniforms and I can write one last post about the tickertape parade and call it a day.  (Except I could see them raising prices and forcing me out of retirement).

Until then – its some Seaver, some Mazzilli, some caps, some black-jersey-hating, some news, some fun and whatever else comes along.  Thanks for reading!

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On twitter I am @metspolice

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In what spare time I have left I am working on building Sports Police for all the New York teams…I haven’t nailed it yet but we’ll get there.  I need to continue reminding myself that that site is three years behind this one in the growth curve.  (Mets Police is up 5000% from two years ago as a comparison.)

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This sounds like a “last post of 2010” but it isn’t.  I’ll continue to publish at the regular frequency throughout the weekend.

Thanks to Matt & Michael, Randy, Greg, Kerel, Goon, Dan, Osh, Uniwatch Paul, Ceetar, Random Stuff Paul, Steve, Other Steve, Lee, GTS, Buckner, Oliver, Francisco, Dad, Pat the old guy, Jimmy the Mets fan, Peter, Albert, Ken at the Times, Jeremy at the Post, Danielle and whoever I am accidentally dissing – you all make this possible.