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Opening Day

Opening Day.

The day we’ve all been waiting for.

It’s such a relief to see the Mets finally playing meaningful baseball again, and finally it’s time to put aside conjecture and projections for real stats and concrete results. Citi Field is nice and all, but now the focus can be on David Wright’s batting average, Jose Reyes’ range, or Beltran’s shear awesomeness instead of tacos or exclusive beers (as great as those things may be).

I seem to get more and more excited for baseball every spring, and this year was no exception. I even went to seven baseball games already. Four spring training games plus an exhibition as well as the St. Johns game at Citi Field and a World Baseball Classic match-up. It’ll be nice to sit down, crack open a beer, and root for the Mets on the same team and really care about the outcome.

Thanks to the Braves, the Mets are already a half game ahead of the Phillies (one in the loss column.) However, they’re behind the Braves by a half game(tied in the loss column.) There is a lot to look forward to this year, and it all starts today. It’s great that the Phillies lost, but you can’t scoreboard watch in April anyway(I won’t tell you that the Phillies elimination number is 162). It’s about the Mets going out there, game after game, and taking care of business. Putting up Ws.

You can find something to complain about and be nervous about later. For now, let’s sit down with our empty slate and enjoy some baseball. Collapses or Championships from last year don’t count in this years win total. Let’s Go Mets!

 

Edit:  And the Mets win! Good Start to the Season.  Woo!

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More From Citi Field

Citi Field is still very much a work in progress. They’ve already changed the green to black around the Apple, for batter’s eye reasons. I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far, and I can’t wait to get there when it counts. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that went wrong, or that don’t seem quite right. I’m not going to whine and cry and count Mets banners and complain when it doesn’t meet my internalized quota, but I’ll point out my observations from my second trip. (Read about my first trip)

 

From Citifield

While some people working their did seem friendlier, I did nearly get into a fight with the woman checking tickets at the Caesar’s club door. Stupidly of me, I let my hat blow off my head from the Promenade, and it landed one level down. I raced down the stairs to try to retrieve it, basically begged this woman to let me just grab my hat, and all she could do was utter variations of ‘No, go upstairs’. Eventually someone tossed the hat down the the field level, where the ushers were actually helpful.

 

Look! a Bottlecap!
From Citifield

Since the concourses are set back under the seats Cow-Bell Man’s normal style of walking around the stadium would keep him away from the action and mostly unheard.

 

I had to sign for my $23 purchase at Box Frites. At least the line moved, and they’re slowly learning how to swipe, fill up sodas, find the buttons on the register and move a line.

 

The Promenade Club is too low down/embedded into the stands, so that the rows of seats just in front of it actually blocks the view of home plate from inside. I don’t know if there is anything to be done about it though.

 

The Mets really should reconsider the contract with whatever escalator company they use.

From Citifield

There are more seats at Citi with small obstructions here and there. (Although none as bad as back rows of the Loge) I had to stand to see Wright make any catches along the dugout. It’s one of the drawbacks of not building huge dizzying grandstands and keeping fans closer to the field.

 

Some people expressed dislike for the black and orange walls and the green seats. I don’t think any choice would’ve made me unhappy here so I may be biased, but I kind of like that the Mets stadium is built on top of a Polo Grounds look, with a Ebbetts Field entrance. It’s certainly not any of those parks in any way, and it is where we came from. Especially the Polo Grounds. The line? I’m curious how it will play out. It might just work.

 

I’m suspecting ceremony the 13th, when I’m not there, with putting the flags up.

 

From Citifield

Blanche de Queens, one of the exclusive Citi Field beers out in the Taste of New York center field concourse, is excellent. As it’s name suggests, it’s kind of a white ale, similar to a Blue Moon. It was a full-bodied beer with plenty of flavor, while still being light and smooth. It was by far the best beer I’ve ever had at a sporting event. I can’t wait to try the Brooklyn Sabroso Ale next time. I tip my hat to Garrett Oliver and Brooklyn Brewery.

From Citifield
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Letters to the NL East, Part 5/5

Letters to the NL East, Part 5 of 5 (part 0, part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 )

 

 

Dear New York Mets,

 

New Stadium, Fresh look. Let’s forget these so-called collapses, and focus on 2009. Games from 2008 don’t count, and teams don’t get handicaps for being defending champs. This division is ripe for the picking.

 

Braves look stronger, Phillies look weaker, but you still look like the best team on paper. It’s time to make that stand up. The bullpen changes should be enough to give you enough confidence to finish off these teams, win these games, and have an excellent season. As usual, health plays an issue. You need to make sure guys like Delgado, Church, Castillo and Maine all stay healthy. One benefit this year is that you seem to have a ton of outfield depth in Sullivan, Reed, Kielty and Evans. More so if you do acquire Gary Sheffield today, although I think he’s a washed up cheater if anything.

 

We’re all excited for this season, and hopefully you’ll give us something more to enjoy than a new ballpark. We’re all curious how Citi Field will feel in those rowdy, anxious playoff moments. Lets get us there to find out. Many have reservations about the park and how it stands up to Shea Stadium, but this season has the potential to get to put Shea behind us. Give us a new crop of highlights in the new park, and we’ll all love it.

 

Your lifelong fan,

 

Optimistic Mets Fan

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World Baseball Classic Rematch

Taking in USA vs. Puerto Ricoimg_3903

In a game that basically didn’t matter, USA vs. Venezuela to determine Pool C seeding, I was rooting for Venezuela for selfish reasons. Their win meant that USA would be taking on Puerto Rico in game two of the second round of the World Baseball Classic, a game I would be at.

My interest starting rising as the game got closer. I really enjoyed Spring Training, but this seemed like a new experience that would be fun. Even so, I was unprepared for energy I encountered. After parking, in the deep parking lot of Dolphin Stadium, we walked towards the stadium. It was about 90 minutes prior to first pitch and the parking lot was loud and buzzing with excitement. People were banging drums, cheering, playing games and waving flags. There was definitely more Puerto Rican fans than USA fans, but there were plenty of both making noise.

Inside it was crowded and loud despite only 30k people in attendance. A couple of players got more cheers and noise than others, but Mets fans will be hard pressed to make as much noise for Delgado and Beltran as there was that night in Miami. They announced all the rosters and then played the anthems of both USA and Puerto Rico. Then in a nice gesture, the two teams crossed the field, shook hands and hugged, and exchanged caps. After that, it was on.

Jake Peavy didn’t really have much, and this led to a quick Puerto Rico lead. The fans were really into the game, applauding and cheering and yelling just as you would any other big game. Just like the cap exchange, the entire game had a competitive feel to it, but with respect. I saw no fights, nor even any angry arguments. Part of this was probably because of the lopsided nature of the game, but sometimes that just creates hard feelings and more fighting. Even after the game was over, the celebration was one of happiness and pride rather than one of ego and degenerates. Even though they never stopped serving beer because the game ended before the 7th inning did.

This is probably the only time I’ll be at a game in which there is a 11-1 7th inning walk-off victory. As embarrassing as it was for USA, it was still cool to see. Puerto Rico lost to Venezuela last night behind K-Rod and King Felix, so tonight we’ll see the rematch of that game. Puerto Rico and the USA face off one more time, this time in an elimination game. It’s exciting in it’s own right, and I hope the fans come out to see it, because it’s going to be thrilling to be there. Either way someone’s going home, and some of the Mets regulars will make it back to Port St. Lucie either way.

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Going down to Florida

I’m going to Spring Training for the first time ever. Thanks to the Netherlands, I get to see Jose Reyes down in camp. While listening to talk about spring isn’t that interesting, I’m sure being there will be a thrill. I’m expecting to come back and be anxious for the season to start. (Well, I’m anxious now too..)

I know most people don’t want to read another Spring Training story anyway, so when I get back, I’m going to go picture happy and post some odd or interesting pictures I take. If I don’t have anything good, I’ll just post a picture of my lunch or something.

For those of you that know what I look like (roughly, none of you). I’ll be in section 120 row A, which is roughly the third to last section down the line, right behind the Mets bullpen on Saturday.

Here is my itinerary.

Thursday: MIN @ PIT. Ho hum right?

Friday: NYM @ DET. Yah Mets!

Saturday: Port St. Lucie. WAS @ NYM. Behind the dugout as I said, if I don’t get a ball at this game, I’m pathetic.

Saturday night: Miami. WBC. Puerto Rico vs. Netherlands winner against the loser of the USA vs Venezuela game today.

Sunday: NYM @ FLA. Then I fly home.

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Spring 2009

It’s spring. The first televised Mets game is on, and I’m excited. The team looks good, and cheery. They can forget last year and focus on this year, start working towards a better future. I opened a beer and started watching at 12:30 when Mets pregame started on SNY. I’m excited for the season, for the team, for the new park. This is the start of it. Pitchers and catchers is a nice milestone, but it doesn’t hit home the same way seeing the players live, and hearing Gary Keith and Ron does.

 

More than anything, I have something else to look forward to. I’m going down to Florida on March 11th, and actually seeing the games is making me antsy to get down there. img_3444

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Coming Soon!

Coming Soon on Optimistic Mets Fan:

 

I’ve got a fair selection of topics slated once Spring Training starts and we can start to smell Opening Day:

 

My yearly baseball wagers.

 

My fantasy teams, and what types of leagues I’m going to join. Hopefully a nice rotisserie league.

 

The Second Annual Letters to the NL East where I address all five teams in the division, and the Yankees.

 

Thoughts and observations on my first ever trip to Spring Training. I’m going to see Three Mets Games, against the Marlins, Nats, and Tigers, as well as the Twins versus the Pirates.

 

While I’m down in Florida, I’m going to be catching a game of the World Baseball Classic.

 

And that’s just some of the thrilling prose I’ll have for you over the next two months or so..before we can get down to some serious April baseball.

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Orioles Fan

Mistaken for an Orioles fan.

 

I don’t really care what the Mets color scheme is, what uniforms they wear, or what symbols they use.  The Citi Field logo isn’t great, but I just don’t care.  Some fans dislike that the Mets every incorporated black into their apparel.  I personally don’t care, although I like sticking to the history of the blue and orange from the Dodgers and Giants.  Tangently, I really thought the All-Star jerseys worn in San Francisco in 2007 should’ve been Black for the AL and Orange for the NL, rather than the other way around.  It was just a passing thought though.

 

However, I do like variety.  I was annoyed that the Diamondbacks ditched the purple.  I actually like some of the older 80s style flashy uniforms.  I dislike teams looking the same, everyone wearing the same grays and whites and pinstripes. 

 

The other day I was out at a restaurant, wearing a black and orange Mets shirt that I’d gotten cheap somewhere.  One of the servers came over to me and said “Nice shirt”, and happened to start talking baseball.  He mentioned some third base prospect I’d never heard of, and since I don’t follow prospects or hot stove too closely, I figured he meant 2B, and it was some guy the Mets were looking at as a possible Castillo replacement.  I gave a suitably vague answer, and he walked away, but I still felt confused.  Then it dawned on me that he didn’t actually see the front of my shirt, merely the colors, and I (which he came over and verified later) correctly assumed that he mistook me for an Orioles fan. 

 

Must be sad times in Baltimore if the most exciting thing to look forward to is a 3B prospect.

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Banner

I hate the offseason.  Not just because there’s not baseball, but because all there is is rumor.  Rumors the Mets will get this player, or that player, or talk to this player, or this player wants this money, this many years…yawn.  It’s all useless conjecture.  I’d rather just read the news as it happens, not try to guess at it.  Otherwise I’d be a weatherman. (*snicker*).  

It’s a minor thing, but I’m debating when I should change the top rail image on the blog.  Right now it’s a random picture of the banners that were in right field.  But Shea is no longer the home of the Mets.  Should I post a picture of Citi from the outside, or wait until the first and post a picture from the game?  Decisions decisions..