The Mets Police

This is cool…from an email from Brian

I drove by Citi Field on the Van Wyck earlier tonight and was pleasantly surprised by something I caught out of the corner of my eye: the “Mets” in “Home of the Mets” was changed from plain white writing to the jersey script.

I took yesterday off from blogging (second day ever) to enjoy the nice weather, but there’s some stuff up for today – catching up on the inbox ([email protected]) thanks to all who sent things in.

Walter dropped me a note to remind me about this: http://www.seats3d.com/mlb/new_york_mets/

It will give you an idea about what the view from your seat might look like.  I tested out some exact seats I have plexiglass in your face and the model is not accurate in that regard, but the site will give you a general feel for whether or not you can see the left fielder.  There is a disclaimer on the page that reflects as much.

Some fans may find these pictures from obstructed view seats of interest.

Another installment of Meet the Mets Bloggers.

1.  Who are you and what’s the name of your blog?

I’m Dana Brand. I’m a Professor of English at Hofstra University and I’m the author of two books about Mets fandom: Mets Fan (McFarland, 2007) and The Last Days of Shea: Delight and Despair in the Life of a Mets Fan (Taylor Trade, 2009). I am also the co-chair of “The Fiftieth Anniversary of the New York Mets: A Conference at Hofstra University,” which will be held on April 26, 27, and 28, 2012.

The title of my blog is “Dana Brand’s Mets Fan Blog” and you can find it at danabrand.com/blog

2. What kind of things can we find on your site?

My blog pieces are essays about the experience of the Mets fan. I write about the ballpark, the heritage of the team, the experience of family and community, and the mood of the fanbase. I write about the lyricism and humor of the Mets fan. I write about the way in which being Mets fans connects with all of the other ways in which we live our lives. As far as I know, I am the oldest Mets blogger. I am 55 and I remember listening to the very first game the Mets played. This gives me a unique perspective. I also have a unique perspective because I am a Professor of English, like Bart Giamatti, who was my mentor at Yale, and with whom I often discussed baseball. As my books demonstrate, I believe that baseball needs to be taken seriously as a profound personal and cultural experience.

3. Expectations for 2010?

I expect an interesting season. I hope for a successful one that will redeem what we have suffered since Adam Wainwright’s curveball dropped two feet at the very last second.

This was an interesting week.  Strangely feisty at times.  Most importantly we had a good discussion.  Before I recap the most-popular from the week, it seemed a good time to re-post some information about me and the site.

This is a site that mixes fan advocacy with a general love of the Mets, often daydreaming about the 70’s and 80’s.   There are plenty of Mets blogs out there who provide news or insight into last night’s game.  Here, we’re less likely to complain about a pitching change than we are likely to complain about what the pitcher was wearing.

We’d like the team to always treat the fans with respect.

We’re just regular old Mets fans like you who have migrated from the uppers to the Promenade where we were saddened when we found plexiglass. Finally, for all our complaining we just want the franchise to win the World Series (while nicely dressed).

So why do it?   Once the site found its voice, I found that I really enjoy when Mets Police can help fellow fans.  The day Albert asked me to call him because a Mets ticket rep called him a bad fan?  A few hours later he had his apology.  It made the mainstream press.

I think of The Mets changing the name of the ticket plan from “Saturday” to “Saturday Plus” after me complaining about if for a year, yeah that felt good and yeah I’m taking credit on that one.

I enjoy posting pictures of Obstructed Views and getting on Dave Howard for not admitting they exist.  Dave went on WFAN  and said fans overreacted.  Well Dave, I’m here for the other side of the story, the side of the customer.

Around all this forms a community.   I hope you’ll be part of it.