What Mets fans talk about when not talking about the actual games.
From the New Stadium Insider
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Today’s Five Questions For An Average Mets Fan goes to CTDucksFan
1. When did you start following the Mets?
My first memories of following the Mets are from 1986, though honestly some of that is ’85 bleeding into it. I was 9 in ’86, and remember a lot of the commotion around the season. When my parents (who aren’t that big into sports) were following what was happening, I knew something big was going on. Game 6 will always stick out in my mind – but that of the NLCS vs the Astros, not the World Series vs the Red Sox. I remember watching the game in my 4th-grade classroom (which, at the time, was a big deal), then going home and watching it at the dinner table with my family (which, at the time, was a BIGGER deal). I’ve been a die-hard fan ever since.
2. What is your favorite Mets memory?
I can only choose one? Hmm…I think I would have to say the memory of the 2006 season. From the incredible start, to being at Shea the night Mike Piazza came back as a Padre, to Paul LoDuca tagging out not one but TWO Dodgers at home plate during the NLDS, to the Endy Chavez catch – it was a magical season that was cut 5 wins to short. I try not to dwell on what might have been but remember what it was, which was 7 months of pure excitement.
3. What is your worst Mets memory or experience?
This is a tough one as this is simultaneously one of my best and worst. September 24, 2008. Mets vs Cubs at Shea Stadium. This was probably the most important Mets game for which I had been in attendance. Carlos Delgado’s Grand Slam was absolutely breathtaking – I’ve never screamed so loud at a ballgame, and I’m getting chills just recalling it now. It was a moment where I felt Shea literally rocking and vibrating. Letting the Cubs come back was heartbreaking. Daniel Murphy’s lead of triple in the bottom of the ninth was my last positive memory of being at Shea. Left on base, forcing extra innings, the Mets ultimately lost the game and missed the post-season on the very last day (again). Walking out of the stadium that night, I looked around and drank it all in, knowing in my head that the Mets would not make the postseason, and knowing in my heart that it was my last time inside Shea.
4. If you could change one off-field thing about the franchise what would it be?
Public Relations. I would change our entire PR department. Time after time, the way the Mets handle themselves as an organization off the field completely embarrasses me as a fan. From making Willie fly to Anaheim just to be fired, to the handling of the Tony Bernazard firing, to the complete ineptitude of knowing what the fan base wants and needs, I think the current crew, though they may be trying their hardest, just doesn’t get it. The opening and first season at Citi Field was a complete disaster, and it has nothing to do with how the Mets performed on the field.
5. If you owned the team starting tomorrow, what is the first thing you would change?
To be honest, this boils down to Number 4 above. I would fire the PR department immediately and rebuild with a mixture of young and old PR professionals as well as a few die hard Mets fans. I think the average Met fan at this point is disillusioned – no matter what the team does, they seem to do it wrong. The recent announcements of the “changes” at Citi Field should not have been changes, they should have been part of the building process from the start. As I go to different ballparks as a fan, it amazes me how different the experience is compared to that of when I go to New Shea or New Yankee Stadium. I’d want my new PR department to go to EVERY ballpark around the league, as well as a handful of football stadiums, hockey and basketball arenas, to see what other teams do right and what they do wrong. Casual fans come when the team does well. Die-hard fans will always be there, and I’d want those fans content. I want the Mets to act like a small market team in a huge market. We can’t and shouldn’t compete with the deep pocket of the Yankees. We compete with them by giving the fans a BETTER alternative of what to watch, support, attend, and follow. The team’s marketing and PR vision is flawed, and if I owned the team, it would be the FIRST thing I addressed.
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I have a Phillies partial plan.
I had it last year, and I renewed it for 2010.
Am I a traitor to the cause? Nope, a capitalist.
Last year I had tickets to 15 games. You know how many I used? None. Sold every single one on Stubhub. Sold my playoff seats too…and the World Series. I made good cash. That cash off-set my horrible over-purchase of Mets tickets, tickets that I had planned to use. You all know how 2009 went.
The 2010 plan I bough is for 14 games. Unlike certain other teams, they are all on Sunday. The Phillies give me every single Sunday. No more, no less. Three of those are Mets games. I plan to use those.
As for the other 11 games? Sure I’m taking a financial risk. I could always attend the games…it’s a nice park, I like cheesesteaks, and there’s nothing wrong with a Sunday baseball game (unless ESPN ruins it.)
As the Phillies point out in their letter, they sold out 73 times in 2009, in a hideous economy. They are still the NL champs, I doubt I will get stuck with too many Sunday tickets.
Am I funding the enemy? Hey if my $400 is the difference between the Mets or Phillies winning the division, y’all can blame me.
My Mets invoice is still sitting unreturned.
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With this news, Buzz: Henry Blanco traveling to NYC for Physical it proves that the Mets have learned.
People are getting on them for signing aging backup catchers and backup shortstops, but the Mets have learned from 2009. Why waste money on starters? Starting players get injured. The 2009 Mets lost because their backups were awful, so this way they will have a good second string while the training staff hangs out in the whirpool room with the A-Team.
Just a theory.
Hey Jeff, cough, Dave, cough, Fred, cough read this….I highlighted some in red to make it easy for you. Where you see “1990” just thin “1986” and where you see the word Reds imagine the word Mets. You’ll make money and make the fanbase happy. I really am here to help you.
Now, what other teams could have such a festival…hmmm…what would we call it….
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