Opinion: Day 1 in Citi Field
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.
