Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Mets LHP Billy Wagner threw 10 pitches from flat ground followed by 23 pitches during a bullpen session today in Port St. Lucie, according to the Associated Press.

“I think he was excited to be out there,” Mets rehab coordinator Guy Conti told the AP. “He is happy to put the uniform on again, but he is a real tough competitor guy, and we want to see where he is at.”

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Last night, I attended the first-ever, regular-season game in Citi Field and, aside from the team losing, it was a lot of fun.

First, I’d like to thank Josh Cohen and his family and friends for inviting my father and I to spend time in their suite.

Second, Citi Field is amazing, but it’s going to take some getting used to, and I believe it could be at least a season or two of going to games, watching them on television, navigating the ballpark, parking lot and making memories, etc., before the ballpark truly feels like the home of the New York Mets – and no extra signage or blue and orange paint will help expedite this.

Basically, it will happen on it’s own, much like when you move in to a new house.

Here are some other random thoughts:

• Thankfully, the seventh-inning stretch contained God Bless America into Take me Out to the Ball Game into Lazy Mary, complete with the T-shirt Launch, just like Shea Stadium.
• Unfortunately, also like Shea, Sweet Caroline was played one inning later, and, as always, was booed and then ignored.
• There were lots of people waiting in lines, whether trying to use a restroom, get a hot dog, get in to the ballpark, get through the Rotunda, etc., but I am certain it will not always be this way – there is a lot of wandering and looking and stopping to see things these days, which should eventually end as people get it out of their system and return to focusing on baseball.  For instance, for first pitch, Shake Shack and Blue Smoke were empty.
• The crowd was quiet, but, again, I think most people were just sort of taking it all in, and in awe, so it made for a disjointed, distracted environment.  Again, I believe this will change.
• Mets fan Drew Schustek can dance like James Brown.
• The security, ushers, etc., are obviously still getting used to their surroundings, since I was told, ‘Sorry, I don’t know,’ or, ‘Sorry, I just started working here,’ a whole bunch of times.
• By the way, I was told security wears red, vendors wear green, etc., so employees can tell each group apart, and not be confused with fans in blue and orange.  I guess they’re right, because no Mets fan will be caught dead in that Phillies-style red.
• Heath Bell and Duaner Sanchez were booed during the introductions, however Cliff Floyd got a very nice cheer, as you would expect.
• Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo were also booed, while Francisco Rodriguez and Johan Santana got the biggest ovation.
• The ribs and pulled pork sandwich at Blue Smoke are amazing, and being able to wash it down with a Goose Island IPA is even better.
• I love being able to look up at the small flat-screens, all over the ballpark, to see the in-game replay of a key play.
• I was told the outfield wall is black because it would not hold the type of blue paint needed for a deep enough color, only black would work – and I don’t believe this is true.  It can’t be.
• The new Home Run Apple is huge.
• Good luck playing right field, Ryan Church.  You’re gonna need it.
• Professor Reyes is back, but now called Reyes University.
• The escalator and stairwells moved pretty slowly on the way out of the ballpark at the end of the game.  I have a feeling it will always be this way, as it was at Shea, and as it is in most ballparks with a sell-out crowd who stay through the final pitch.

To check out a small photo gallery from my day in Citi Field, go here.

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At least for now, and through April, Citi Field is clearly a pitcher’s park, despite the Mets and Padres scoring 11 runs last night, some of which were helped by a misplayed pop up and a balk.

Prior to the game, SNY’s Bob Ojeda was explaining to me how the flags on top of Citi Field, on the third-base side of the building, which were all blowing towards left, are already all shredded; while the flags on the opposite side are in perfect condition and also blowing towards left.

In other words, according to Ojeda, there must be a serious cross wind that will a) knock down high pop ups hit in left and center, and b) carry a ball hit toward right, deep in to the stands – and if you notice, that exact situation played out in last night’s game.

Ojeda also pointed out that, because of the lack of foul territory, and the deep alleys, outfielders will likely shade in towards center, since there is less of a need to run down a foul ball, and thus be in better position to catch a ball in the gap.

Jerry Manuel told reporters yesterday that his team is going to need time to get used to the new ballpark.

Carlos Beltran, who smoked a deep fly-ball to center, only to have it come crashing down for an out, agreed, adding, “I hit it good… I thought it would at least get over his head.”

David Wright hit a home run to left-center field that was essentially on a line, and hit hard; and so, it was able to cut through, stay low and get out.

“I’ve had enough at-bats here to know that you’ve really got to step on one to get out to the gaps in center here,” Wright told reporters following the game.

I would not be surprised to see Citi Field play differently when it gets super humid and there is no wind; but, for now, it’s going to ‘play big,’ as they say.

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Last night, David Wright hit a three-run home run to tie the game in the fifth inning.

…coincidentally, Omar Minaya happened to be standing a few feet to my right when wright hit the home run, so i was able to hi-five the GM of the team on the first-ever long ball by the Mets in Citi Field, which was pretty exciting… i then overheard minaya breaking down the at bat and pitch selection to the guy he was standing with, in great detail… i was actually quite surprised to hear him talk so technical about the game… i mean, i guess it would make sense, but i just never thought about it before…

…by the way, wright absolutely torched that ball… and he had to, because i don’t think anyone is hitting a home run to left field unless they get a serious charge in to the ball… it’s huge out there…

…the thing is, as fun as it was to see the home run, again, the Mets put themselves in a position to have to fight back, only to fall short, which is a trend that is developing and making me very uncomfortable, despite it being only one week in to the season…

“Getting behind big, so early, we’re going to get into some trouble,” Wright told reporters following the game.

“We have to find ways to stop the bleeding.  We haven’t been able to do that, whether it’s making a big pitch or a big play defensively.”

…jeeez, i swear he made the exact same quote last summer… ugh…

Following the game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Wright had been doing extra work in the batting cages with Howard Johnson, and both he and Johnson feel Wright is ‘back on track.’

Speaking about Citi Field, and the home opener, Wright added:

“I would have taken the win… That’s kind of the memory I’ll take away from this, other than opening up a beautiful new home and the way that the fans were into it, it is a loss.  I would have liked to get that win, but it is something that when I look back on it, I can tell my kids, my grandkids, that I got a chance to participate in Opening Day and break in the new field.”

Wright also had a double last night, and is hitting .333 with a .438 OBP, though he has struck out nine times in seven games.

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