The Mets Police

My friends the Mets think they know how to throw a fan fest.  Here’s the really vague details they shared.

NEW YORK METS TO HOST AMAZIN’ DAY AT CITI FIELD

Fans can meet alumni and current players, take a swing in the batting cages, go behind-the-scenes at Citi Field and so much more on Saturday, January 25

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 23, 2025 –The New York Mets will host Amazin’ Day presented by Coors Light, Guardian and New Era at Citi Field on Saturday, January 25. This ultimate fan fest will give Mets fans the chance to experience the excitement and ramp up to the 2025 season in a completely new way. Attendees will get a chance to meet their heroes, grab their signatures, get exclusive access to usually restricted areas of the ballpark, hear from Mets leadership and make memories that will last a lifetime. In one of the largest offseason gatherings in Mets history, over 50 players, alumni and prospects are expected to be in attendance at Citi Field. Although General Admission tickets are sold out, a limited quantity of VIP tickets are still available atMets.com/AmazinDay.

“Every fan I’ve spoken to this winter can’t wait for the 2025 season to start,” said Mets President of Business Operations, M. Scott Havens. “The entire NY Mets organization has been hard at work this offseason to connect with our fans and do something meaningful for them, which is how Amazin’ Day came to fruition. Our fans bring a special kind of energy and magic to Citi Field, and we’re looking forward to seeing their excitement at Amazin’ Day as we show them a special preview of the 2025 season and celebrate this iconic franchise.”

As part of the highlights of Amazin’ Day, fans will be able to meet players and alumni during autograph sessions and hear from them during live panel discussions. Fans can also go behind-the-scenes to usually restricted areas including the field, bullpen, batting cages and clubhouses. There will also be an opportunity for fans to “host” their own press conference and snap photos in the official Mets press conference room.

SO FAR THIS IS ALL ABOUT HOW COOL THE METS AND M. DONALD HAVENS THINK THEY ARE.    THIS ISN’T ABOUT FANS SO FAR, IT’S ABOUT A SPONSOR.  WHAT ABOUT THE FANS?

Below are the planned activities for Amazin’ Day. Please note that activations are subject to change due to weather or other factors:

• VIP Experience presented by Citi*: As part of the VIP Experience presented by Citi, VIP Ticketholders will have access to a VIP reception featuring ownership, players, alumni, coaches and more in the Delta Sky360º Club. Additional VIP benefits include all-day access to the VIP lounge located in the Ownership Suite with appearances by players and alumni, a fast pass for autograph sessions, priority seating for stage programming featuring players, alumni and executives, and more.

 

LIKE WHO?  WHICH PLAYERS????  WHY CAN’T YOU JUST TELL US?

*VIP Package Tickets needed for VIP Experience presented by Citi and can be purchased onMets.com/AmazinDay.

• Autograph Sessions: Each general admission event ticket comes with a separate ticket in the Ballpark App to an autograph session that begins one hour after the start of fans’ entry time.

LIKE WHO?

 

• Stage Programming presented by Cadillac: Programming for the day will include panel discussions with players and alumni, fireside chats with Mets leadership, live gameshows and more. Access to Stage Programming presented by Cadillac is first-come, first-served. Amazin’ Day VIPs will receive priority seating for programming.

LIKE WHAT? SURELY YOU KNOW 48 HOURS OUT WHAT THE PANELS ARE.  TELL US.

• Clubhouse Activations: Take a swing in the batting cages presented by Mets Fantasy Camp and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look into the clubhouses with self-guided tours. Additionally, fans can stop by the Topps booth in the visitors’ clubhouse and get their picture taken for their very own Topps Baseball Card.

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSOR THAN THE FANS

• Coors Light Beer Garden & Guardian Alumni Meet and Greet: Fans can enjoy a cold beverage, play some games and even stop by the Guardian Alumni Meet and Greet to take a photo with a Mets legend.

WHAT LEGEND?  WHY CAN’T YOU TELL US?  ALSO MORE ABOUT THE SPONSOR THAN THE FANS

• Coca-Cola Food Hall: Fuel up for a day of excitement with your favorite ballpark eats at the Coca-Cola Food Hall in the Clover Home Plate Club.
• Sponsor Activations: Fans will get to experience exciting activations from our partners including New Era, Kendra Scott, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Otis & Finn Barber Shop, Formaggio, Raising Cane’s, Gin & Juice, Sprinter Vodka Soda, and more.

DID I MENTION THIS MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORS THAN THE FANS

• Behind-The-Scenes Tours: Go behind-the-scenes at Citi Field with guided tours available throughout the day.
• Mets Mini Museum: Take a trip down Mets memory lane at our “Meet the Mets Memorabilia” pop-up.
• Press Conference Photo Opportunity: Take a photo on the official Mets press conference stage.
• Mascot Photo Opportunity: Take a picture with Mr. & Mrs. Met and other mascot friends throughout the day.
• Team Store Warehouse Sale: The Team Store will feature some of the biggest discounts of the year at the Winter Warehouse Sale.
• Bullpen & Stolen Base Activations: Fans can test out their arm and get a chance to pitch in the Mets bullpen. Then they can head over to the left field landing on excelsior level for the Steal Home Challenge presented by Mets Youth Baseball and Softball Camps.
• Virtual Batting Activations: Compare batting swings and stances to your favorite Mets player or alumni at the Mets Match Your Swing experience in either the Metro Market or in the K Korner. Then they can take a shot at the VR Home Run Derby located in the Metro Market.
• Fanatics Card Breaking: Experience the excitement of live sports card breaks with Fanatics Live.
• PSA Card Grading: PSA, the global leader in authentication and grading, will offer collectors a special opportunity to consult directly with our experts and submit their prized trading cards at Amazin’ Day.
• MLB the Show Tournament: Fans can show off their gaming skills and play MLB the Show with their fellow Mets fans.
• Ticketing Lounge: Learn more about 2025 Mets Ticket offerings at ticketing lounges throughout Citi Field.
• The MetPark Experience: A Special 360 Preview of Metropolitan Park: Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International are partnering with the local community to transform the area around Citi Field into a revolutionary sport and entertainment park that New York deserves. This reimagined space will bring together fans, neighbors, and visitors with a new 25-acre public park, world class entertainment, and unique dining experiences, as well as improved parking and transit infrastructure. Stop by the 360 Room to check out the future of Metropolitan Park.

A BILLIONAIRE AND HIS FRIENDS WILL TRY TO CONVINCE YOU TO HAND OVER PARKLAND TO A BILLIONAIRE TO BUILD A CASINO.  THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE FANS.

I am not impressed Mets.

INT. JERRY’S APARTMENT  

Jerry: So what’s this about new jerseys?

Steve: (excited) Yes! We’re completely redesigning them!

Jerry: But why? Everything was going so well.

Steve: (confused) Well?

Jerry: Yeah, people were happy with the Grimace and the third wild card…

Elaine: And Soto.

Jerry: (nodding) And Soto. The road jerseys were perfect.  Why would you mess with the road jerseys?

Steve: (leaning forward) Jerry, Jerry, Jerry… you don’t understand marketing.

Jerry: What’s to understand? The jerseys were fine.

Steve: (smirking) Exactly! They were fine. But you know what fine doesn’t do?

Elaine: Win games?

Steve: (ignoring her) Fine doesn’t sell new jerseys! Think about it – every fan already has our current jersey. But if we change them…

Jerry: (realizing) They have to buy new ones.

Steve: Now you’re getting it!

[Kramer bursts in wearing a prototype of the new jersey]

Kramer: These are gorgeous! And they come with a special QR code that lets you order McDonald’s right to your seat!

Steve: (proud) See? Innovation!

Jerry: So you’re changing perfectly good uniforms just to sell more merchandise?

Steve: (standing) Jerry, do you know how many jerseys we sold after signing Soto?

Jerry: A lot?

Steve: Exactly! And now all those people need new ones! It’s brilliant!

[Chad the social media intern calls Steve]

Chad: Mr. Steve! The jersey announcement tweet just hit 100,000 likes! And people are already complaining!

Steve: (excited) Perfect! Controversy creates cash!

Jerry: (to Elaine) Remember when baseball teams just tried to win games?

 

The Mets chose their  in-house podcast to tease a jersey announcement for Saturday.

It’s unclear at this moment if it’s just a new road jersey (because the current one is perfect and Steve has to ruin everything) or TWO new jerseys.

Here’s a screen grab so you don’t have to look at the dopey podcast.

Now, LAST NIGHT this tweet was posted.  I don’t know if this is actually the design, but sure is a random thing to post the night before the Mets announcement, so someone maybe knew something.

I poked around the MLB Shop site where this was supposedly posted and don’t see it.  That said. it’s possible the page was temproarily live so they could test links etc.

Whatever is up, one thing the Mets did NOT need was a new road jersey.

As for this design – it’s the same mistake over and over.  While you might think the image below looks ok, the lettering will disappearand not pop.  It’s the same mistake as last year’s black jerseys and it’s the same mistake as the ld hybrid caps.

Here’s a 1987 era version where the white popped.  Orange would likely pop even more.

Will update as more is learned.

 Some fun items on here! 

Is the “15,000” real?  I don’t hear fans complaining about NOT getting giveaway items because the Mets have ran out.  Maybe Legal is just claiming that number publicly in case they see ticket projections take a nose dive, but in reality they make more.  Just a guess.  Anyway, I don’t think “they ran out” is an issue.

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 16, 2025 – The New York Mets announced today the club’s gate giveaway schedule for 2025 home games at Citi Field. The 2025 schedule features 30 gate giveaways over the course of the season. Tickets are currently on sale – including memberships, flex packages, and individual game tickets – online at Mets.com/Tickets or by calling 718-507-TIXX. The first 15,000 fans will receive gate giveaway items unless otherwise noted.

Over the course of the season the Mets will feature 10 bobblehead gate giveaways including:

• Mr. Met Empire State Building Bobblehead presented by Citi on Saturday, April 19
• Edwin Díaz Bobblehead on Saturday, May 10
• Mark Vientos Bobblehead presented by SeatGeek on Sunday, May 25
• Hello Kitty® Bobblehead presented by Toyota on Friday, May 30, Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1 for the first 10,000 fans all three days
• David Wright Bobblehead presented by NewYork- Presbyterian on Sunday, July 20
• Francisco Alvarez Bobblehead on Saturday, August 2
• Mrs. Met Gives Back Bobblehead on Wednesday, August 13
• Juan Soto Bobblehead presented by Delta Air Lines on Saturday, August 16
• Francisco Lindor Bobblehead presented by Invesco QQQ on Saturday, August 30
• Mrs. Met Taxicab Bobblehead presented by Cadillac on Saturday, September 13

Returning this season are several fan favorites alongside new apparel designs, player themed items and additional items including:

• Juan Soto Players Pin on Saturday, April 5
• 2025 Schedule Picture Frame on Sunday, April 6
• Brandon Nimmo Hoodie Jersey presented by Invesco QQQ on Friday, April 18
• Clay Holmes Hockey Jersey presented by Hyundai on Friday, May 9
• Mother’s Day Clutch Purse on Sunday, May 11
• Kodai Senga Replica Jersey presented by Nathan’s Famous on Saturday, May 24
• Sean Manaea Camo Jersey on Monday, May 26
• Pride Tank Top presented by Citi on Friday, June 13
• Hawaiian Shirt on Sunday, June 15
• Reversible Bucket Hat presented by Premio Sausage on Thursday, June 26
• Juan Soto Replica Jersey on Thursday, July 3
• Topps Baseball Cards on Wednesday, July 23 for the first 10,000 fans
• Player Replica Jersey presented by Hyundai on Thursday, August 14
• Shea Stadium Replica on Friday, August 15
• SNY Players Pins on Tuesday, August 26
• Pop-up Home Run Apple Figurine on Friday, September 19
• Long Sleeve T-Shirt presented by Citi on Saturday, September 20 for all fans

Rounding out the lineup of gate giveaways for this season are items for the first 5,000 kids under 14 including:

• Mr. Met Plushie on Saturday, June 14
• Mini Bat on Sunday, August 3
• Color-In Lunchbox on Sunday, September 14

There are many benefits to purchasing a flexible membership, including early entry on gate giveaway days. Visit Mets.com/Memberships for more information.

The 2025 theme night and ballpark activation schedule will be announced at a later date. Promotion dates, items and distribution are subject to change and/or cancellation.

Cap tip and Honor Amongst Bloggers to Media Goon for doing the leg-work on this one, so please give him his clicks.

The Mets are getting ready to host Really Vague Amazin’ Day, which appears to me to be a Fan Fest of sorts run by people who don’t seem to understand fan fests but are interested in monetizing fans.

There is a vague Autograph Session.  In the Parking Lot.  I am confident the Mets will bring in the finest tents and heaters and what not, but I follow a lot of Deep Weather guys on twitter and there’s an arctic blast coming, so good luck with this plan.  It’s a shame there isn’t a large building near the parking lot where one could let the FANS be inside.  (Sure “John Franco” or whoever they got, they haven’t said, will be warm, but what about the little kids on the line?)

Having been involved with the Queens Baseball Convention, as well as some other Fests as part of my work at MI6 over the years, the backbone of a fest is the panels.

The Mets have shared this vagueness: