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According to George Willis, of the New York Post, Doc Gooden signed signed his name on a concrete wall in Citi Field’s Ebbetts Club last week, after which he took pictures with fans leaning up against the autograph.
However, according to Willis, “The Mets, who 
have been criticized for not showcasing enough of their history in their new ballpark, plan to erase Gooden’s signature from the wall, treating it as if it were unwanted graffiti.”
…i can understand the Mets not wanting to leave the signature, but i also like that gooden did it… so, instead, the Mets should take their queue from doc, and the fan reaction, and set something up like this elsewhere in the ballpark, where current and former players can ‘leave their mark,’ so to speak…
…i have seen a lot of complaints from fans who feel there is not enough history in Citi Field… i get that, but, with all due respect to the team i love, the Mets have a subtle history, so i can understand why the team presented in a subtle way… i mean, if they went overboard with it, people would probably make fun of them for honoring a checkered past, and if they did what they did, 
they get ripped for not doing enough… where is the balance… i am not sure… i do feel it’s more than they have, but i think too much would be silly…
…i would like to see more attention paid to guys like Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges and Davey Johnson, the three men who helped define what the organization is about… i like the signature idea… i like the banners they currently have outside… a few more murals inside, like they had it Shea Stadium, would be cool… but, there is time for all of this, and there is also an opportunity here to make new memories and new history that can be captured from inside the walls it will eventually be displayed on…
…by the way, thanks to m kook for the link…
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why would you erase that….
I think they're concern was that other, lesser pitchers (i.e., Joe Blough from the local beer league) might follow suit and put his signature next to Doc's. Then before you know it, you have a whole wall of graffitti in the Ebbet's Club.
I like Matt's idea of having a wall or something where bona fide Mets players could put their signatures.
sorry – "their" not "they're"
Yeah an Officially sanctioned wall would be great.
If they set this precedent, you would have people whining about every single piece of graphetti that may look like an autograph having to be preserved.
Then eventual whining about why is their graphetti all over the place will follow.
Another stupid incident in Mets' history.
Doc was wrong for doing it, and the Mets are wrong for their reaction.
wilpons are the gang that couldnt shoot straight
I agree they should leave Doc's signature but the reactions of Willis, DiBella and the Mets are all a bit overbroad. It's time to worry about more important things.
Agrred, particularly this "a source said a number of Met officials were in and out of the club looking at the signature as if deciding what to do. " I mean if you want to remove it, then remove it, stop calling more attention to it by sending in suits to examine it like its evidence of some sort.
They decided, however, to send the coke straw he left behind to Cooperstown.
I think it was a cool idea – well done doc.
yeah
The Mets should cut that piece of concrete out, mount it in a display box and auction it off to the highest bidder with the proceeds going to a worthy charity. And no, the charity cannot be the Fred Wilpon Madoff Ponzi Scheme Resource Recovery Fund.
Well done M Kook finding that link… become a regular contributor!
Are they trying make it another 10 years before Doc returns?
Not saying it was the best thing for him to do, but maybe there is nothing else it the park celebrating the second best pitcher in Mets history. Unlike any pitcher since, fans rushed to the park on the day's he pitched. Wall-ups were unreal.
*Walk-ups
I think Johan is about to knock Doc to #3
It's a joy to watch Johan pitch.
Johan has a lot of work to do before claiming that as a Mets pitcher. Let's see a Cy Young and World Series title first. No doubt he's on the level with his Twins performance, but not after a season. I need to see 5 more top-level season to just equal Doc.
And the energy in the ballpark isn't anywhere near the same as when Doc pitched.
Not exactly the classiest move by Doc but I don't blame him for doing so.
A totally classless by the Mets to erase it…the Mets HOF / museum they will eventually build had better be something really special. I'm making my first Citi trip this weekend and will see for myself how little Mets stuff there is for real.
Making my first trip this Sat. as well. Live 5 minutes from Citi and I drive pass it every day. Cant wait to step inside.
Mets HOF museum, is that just theoretical or are they planning that? I hope the answer is both and not just the former.
pretty sure Wilpon said they are going to build something along those lines in CF….but there is no timetable…
Was there on Friday and Sunday. I think if you guys keep an open mind you will really enjoy the place and no, u won't really notice this great lack of Mets history. IMO it has about the same amount of Mets history as Shea did.
Can we put a Mets logo, or some orange paint, in the stairwells? The bland concrete is kinda boring.
LOL!! Your lamest of defenses of this non-Met park is truly sad…..
It would be quite nice to have Met autographs all over the wall. I guess if it were Sandy Koufax' autograpgh it woulda been OK.
Would the Mets erase it if the wall had been signed by Carl Erskine?
Oh, lets play the "Who can name old Brooklyn Dodgers game" and see how unfunny the same comment can get over and over and over again.
You got that right. I wouldn't doubt we will have some sort of stupid reunion when the Dodgers come to town welcoming them back to the new and improved Ebbets Field.
matt sucks
One place they could add some Mets signage is on the metal arch, on the building behind the bridge that straddles the bullpens. That would be a natural place to put a large NY logo in glowing Orange and Blue.
It also would have been nice if, instead of putting the old sky line on top of Shake Shack, they installed in on the main scoreboard, where it currently reads, Let's Go Mets.
I'm sure Doc thought he was doing something good as he was asked. The dropped ball here, in my opinion, was not having something to start with that honored the likes of that '86 team and the stars on it – other than the WS banner. Maybe if they had done that, Doc wouldn't have made the mistake of 'defacing' the brand new wall….
Could this team's ownership be further out of touch with its fans? Geez, that's the kind of quirky thing that adds to the place's appeal. What nimrods …
You say at one point the Mets have a subtle history and then a checkered historyt. Baloney. Just because the Mets only have two championships does not make it a history to be ashamed of. Many great plays and many great games and many great players have passed thru. The only thing checkered is ignoring it all. What's far from subtle is the ownership acting like the teir own team is too shameful to honor.
I agree 100%. It feels like the Wilpons want to wipe out the last 40 years of Mets history and just start fresh. That's an insult to all the fan that have been around for many of those years.
Couldn't there have been a "Seaver's Club" or a "Piazza's Pavillion" or a "Rusty's Ribs" or a " Dr K Korner", or a 'Shea Shack" or a "Doug Flynn Dog Hut"??
Matt, I'm surprised that you seem to care so little about honoring the history of the team you follow, in their own ballpark. I understand the whole "just win ballgames and make new history" sentiment. But isn't part of being a fan that you have memories and stuff?
This is the problem with Matt being deeply involved with the Mets, I never know if this is his real opinion or if he's just treading the company line. However, the "subtle history" is a week excuse, that '86 team is arguably the most charismatic and exciting NY sports team ever.
You can put me in the category of people who want to see more Mets heritage in Citi Field. But that doesn't mean I want it to be overblown and nonsensical. Give us some credit here, Matt. Mets fans are not so black and white as people make them out to be. I thought you of all people would've known that. Just because I'd like to see some more Mets heritage in Citi Field, doesn't mean I want them to go overboard, as you would suggest. But as of now, they hardly have a thing inside Citi Field that would suggest this organization is even remotely proud of the team they own. It's quite insulting for the fans if you ask me. This is an otherwise gorgeous ballpark.
As for Doc Gooden's signature… I see the good and bad side of it. The good side is that it obviously received a positive reaction from fans if they wanted to take pictures next to it. It may even suggest that fans would like to see some more Mets related features in Citi Field. Obviously they know who Doc Gooden is and remember his legacy with the Mets.
The bad side is that Doc apparently signed that wall without permission from anyone and just did it on his own. In that regards, yes it is basically graffiti, regardless of who it is that signed it. But maybe this is the wakeup call that the Wilpons needed. I like the idea of Mets players leaving their mark in Citi Field. But it should be something a little more dressed up than just marker on a concrete wall.
i think you made a great point in that the signature received a positive reaction from fans and wanted pictures of it….a formal tribute to past mets players and teams would certainly create this fan buzz and the team should certainly make note because happy fans means happy customers and thats the bottom line…$$$
Very well said Ray – I agree on all your points.
Very well said Ray – I agree with all your points.
There is no less "celebration of Mets history" at Citi field than there was at Shea — the issue arises entirely from the presence of the Jackie Robinson rotunda front and center. There are various reasons for people to resent the rotunda, some more or less valid, some knee-jerk reactionary, some outright racist, but if you were spending over half a billion dollars of your money to build a sports stadium, you might feel within your rights to give prominence to a theme that is close to your heart.
There is no obligation to celebrate a team's past in a stadium. Frankly, I don't consider going to a ballpark the same as going to a museum. Two things, however… I do remember thinking how cool it was when those posters of Mets players began showing up at Shea, so more of that would be fine by me at Citi. Second, the real problem here is the homage to the Dodgers. The park is modeled to a degree (at least the exterior) to Ebbets Field, there's teh Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and then there's the Ebbet's club. I come from a long line of Brooklyn Dodger fans, and had they remained in Brooklyn, I have no doubt I'd be a Dodger fan. But they didn't and I'm not. How about naming the posh club the Shea club? I think it's fine to have the rotunda and exterior design, but at some point, if you're going to delve into history, having more Dodger history than Met history is a big f-you to Mets fans.
In fairness, those posters still exist – and this time they're on the outside of the stadium (as you approach the LF entrance).
However, I do agree with both you and gameball – the problem with CitiField is that the Wilpons went over-the-top with their adulation of Jackie Robinson while not doing much of anything to honor the current National League team of NY which they happen to own. When I was watching the game on Sunday, I saw they even have a giant 42 somewher around the rotunda. Why not a giant 41 or 31 as well? Heck why not a giant 14 at least? Gil Hodges was a Dodger too after all.
As some other poster commented, putting up a statue of Tom Seaver in front of the rotunda – or at least near some prominent entrance would have been a nice balance. The good news is it's not too late for the Wilpons to redress this issue.
Come on man… No statues of still living former ballplayers…
I agree. Statues of living people are creepy.
There's a statue of Willie Mays in front of AT&T park. And I'm pretty sure there's one of Hank Aaron in Atlanta.
Tom Seaver is a bona fide HOFer and if there was any dirt on him, it would have come out by now. I see no problem in putting up a statue of him in front of CitiField while he's still around to appreciate it.
I'm sure I'm not alone, but at this point, I think most rational fans are getting a little tired of this whole issue. That said, I couldn't agree with you more in that after spending the weekend there I really don't see any difference between Citi and Shea. They both have about the same Mets related stuff in IMO. Yes, the stadium isn't blue, but let's move on already. the place is great and it's state of the art. Question: Who has two thumbs and likes Citi? Answer – this guy.
I like the park too, and in any case, if the Mets win 8 of their next 10 games, very few people will be talking about any of this.
And if people would spend a few minutes in their seats watching the game, it would not be difficult to figure out who the home team is.
It's sickening to see all of those seats behind homeplate empty.
There's nothing wrong with the building (except for the unimproved cramped seating in the promenade level). The problem is with the fans who feel they need to find something to complain about at all times.
Haha – how annoying is it to see all those empty seats going unused. I was trying to figure out a way to get down there. Anyone know if you can get down there? I'll find a way sooner or later.
It's the complete oppostie of Shea with the full Promenade and empty lower levels.
From a payback perspective, I think it's great those seats are unused. Lower the prices to something more affordable to the working man and maybe they'll get some people in 'em. Greedy bastards!
I guarantee you those seats are sold out – they just may not have fannies in the seats.
well, they had to auction off those seats because not enough people bought them. I don't know how successful the auction was.
Bottom line is they overpriced those seats, expecting them to be bought by corporations for entertainment purposes, without taking into account current economic realties. They learned a valuable lesson in the elasticity of demand.
what ? You are spending that much money on a stadium, because you can justify it thanks to the 4 million fans that come to it… If it wasnt for the fans they would have never spent that much. So dont tell me they dont owe something to the fans and they can do whatever they want with the decor. As for the team that is close to their heart. How about the team that they have OWNED for so long..
How there is not a something in the stadium commemorating the '69 or '86 teams is just unreal? These are two great moments in Met history that fans like myself can never get enough of.
Matt: It would be nice if you would take a firm stance agst something once in a while, instead of just appearing to be a patsy for the Mets
Not only are those two great moments in Met history, but they are the ONLY TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS we have…that should be enough to warrant recognition of some sort.
If it had been Piazza, it would have been gold plated with mood lighting. Horrible move, the Wilpons have no respect for Mets history. Im starting to think that the only reason they love Piazza is because he started as a Dodger….
"…i would like to see more attention paid to guys like Casey Stengel"
I'd rather not pay attention to Casey Stengel because it reminds us of the teams he managed.
There should be a bronze statue of Tom Seaver somewhere in that ballpark…they should re-retire # 24 for Willie Mays (they screwed up by letting Henderson wear it)…Can somebody fill me in on what happened there 24 was retired for years,it's given to Henderson…why wasn't it retired again. ( I haven't lived in newe york for years…I heard it upset Willie,is that true)
A statue of Seaver would be a great idea…along with a statue of Piazza eventually (once he gets into the HOF).
LOL what a non story.
who cares
i would like to see less focus on the quality of the stadium and more focus on the quality of the PLAY inside the stadium…
Yesterday was my first game at Citi. Im going to wait at least til my 5th game to make my final judgement because I was trying to take everything in. I was in section 406 season tickets I got from a financial advisor I work with. Due to the flags blowing you cant see the secondary scoreboard which is annoying when you want to see what a player has done up to that point in the game. I love the pitch count and the K's on the board. What Depressed me the most was the buzz or energy in the ballpark. I didnt believe everyone when they kept saying how quiet it was but now I must say quiet is an understatement!! You could hear a pin drop throughout the game. In the 7th, 8th innings when the game was on the line the crowd was so quiet. Most of the people around me were the worst fans Ive seen but that buzz before the game and during a game you hear and feel when the place is packed was not there!! Very strange and made me depressed. I love being a NY Fan and love when Shea use to sway and rock.
interesting point. I havent been yet, so this loudness factor is good to hear about.
I think you have to take into account that a lot of people are still getting out there for their first trips, and while I don't defend it, they may be just as interested in exploring the place as they are in watching the game. I think once the "newness" of the place wares off a bit people will return their attention to the game. I think it is wise to reserve your judgment until you have been there a few times. I went to 2 games this weekend and I enjoyed both, but the second one really got me excited. The first game it was great, but kind of a weird experience. Once people get comfortable I think the sound will return.
I really hope you are correct and its not the geometry of the park or whatever. Very sad how quiet it was during yesterdays game during the 7th and 8th.
It's a common thing with new ballparks and stadiums. It was that way for Celtics and Bruins for a while when the moved from the Garden. It's happened in football too the first couple of years at a new stadium. Don't know if it's because new people are going just to see the ballparks or what.
I love hearing our opponents comment about how loud it is. I hope somehow this changes. Dont know how it could. PPl were in their seats too so it wasnt because the whole 40,000 were at the Shake Shack either!!! lol
If I understand your meaning, I agree. From what I'm gathering on TV the nose level at the ballpark is pretty horrible. One of the best weapons the Mets have at home, their fans, have been absent.
Maybe it's the new mic locations, but it seems like we have a combination of people wandering, many more casual fans in the ballpark because it's more of a "happening" rather than a game, and the fans holding their breath and expecting failure because of the last two years.
Whatever the case, it disturbs me to see that even in crucial situations, most fans seem to be sitting on their hands, only cheering AFTER the Mets succeed.
Don't you think that many of these people at the game right now are just in shock of the new place? Roaming around to see what all is there? Once it gets 2nd half of the year if we are in the race things will change.
Nope. Not by the 7th and 8th innings in a closely contested 1 run game with 1st and 2nd and no one out. Some of the early game issues with noise can be attributed simply to wandering, but not close and late. We'll see if it changes as the season goes on.
It was very loud in my section on Saturday afternoon. I was in 522…
I think they should save money on the paint to cover the autograph and get some players who can hit in the clutch.
Almost 50 years of team history is not "subtle".
They should be putting a glass frame over that, not erasing it. Lets try harder not to alienate great former players next time….ok?
I went out to Citi for the first time this Friday and Sunfday and I have to say that I was really impressed with the stadium. I think the first time you go, it's just a bit of culture shock almost when compared to watching a game at Shea. Like I said, I went back yesterday and despite the result of the game, really enjoyed the place and started to get excited about being able to watch games here in the future. As far as the paucity of mets related hsitory, I have to be honest, I really wouldn't have noticed anything amiss if people hadn't been complaining about it. I mean it wasn't as if Shea was some Mets Shrine. Anyway, I hope that this incident with Doc doesn't mean he will be away from the Mets for another 10 years.
Same here…I was at the game on Saturday and I loved every minute of it…I know people are complaining about the Rotunda being more of a tribute to the Dodgers, but honestly I didn't feel that way at all…I just look at it as a grand entrance…It was beauiful..I sat in the seats by the"New" Big Apple next to the bullpens..it was awesome…..I was able to go downstairs and see who was throwing in the bullpen..there were picnic tables next to them and I also took pictures of the old homerun apple. I'm going on the 27th were I'll be sitting in the pepsi porch.
Yeah, I think it's only going to get better and better the more you get out there. I can't wait to go out again.
I caught my first games this past weekend (fri and sat). Few observations. I love the design of the park. Everywhere you go there is a new hangout or gathering place. I feel like they put way to much into the shake shack area that just clogs up that whole part of the park. I think it is great that you can watch the game from anywhere on the field and the ushers dont give you a hard time. Few downsides though. Still had to wait on lines for the bathrooms, the "bottled beer" stands are incredibly slow and am not sure why they ditched the alluminum bottles. If you want to stay safe etc just go back to the plastic bottles. As everyone has said on the blog, who is the home team? I mean just walking through the field level i see a photo of ebbets field on the wall and nothing else mets besides the trash cans. Gotta get something in there, i know it is still early and they can add plenty etc but right now it is very bland, even as one poster above stated inr egards to the stairways. Oh and the one thing that really angered me was when i went into the mets clubhouse store and the first two jerseys that i saw were DODGERS jersey.
I don't understand the point of view that the level of Mets history on display at Citi Field needs to be subdued in some way simply because they don't have as long or as celebrated a history as the team across town. It's the Mets home field – why not celebrate the history we do have? Why not have more areas dedicated to the '69 and '86 Mets and the greats that played on those teams? There should be some place for Doc to sign, if not this particular wall.
The Mets should erase their GM
Agree with those who said that this is exactly the type of organic, non-prefab thing that would add some charm to a new stadium. Not only should they not remove it, but that wall should become a signature wall for all former Mets players who are honored at Citi. Forty years from now, that Doc signature would be an awesome thing to see.
Hubie and QnsNative are right but it is more than just the championship teams – they should acknowledge the lovable loser Mets of the early days, the Ya Gotta Believe Mets of 73, the 99 and 200 teams PLUS lots of players and others that have been important in Mets history:
Casey, Roger Craig, Zimmer, Frank Thomas, Bill Shea, Agee, Koos, Seaver, Gil, Nolan Ryan, Grote, Rusty (TWICE!), Swoboda, Kingman, Karl Ehrhardt (sign man!), Tug, Matlack, Yogi, Mookie, Foster, Valentine, Mazz, Hubie(!), Carter, Keith, Doc, Darryl, Ronnie, Knight, HoJo, Dykstra, the entire 86 team, Davey, Jane Jarvis, Frank Cashen, Lindsay / Ralph / Murph, Coney, Franco, Leiter, Fonzie, Hundley, Piazza, Olerud, Pedro, Wright, Reyes, Johan. Eras/moments other than simply winning it all in 86/69: The Best Infield Ever, Ya Gotta Believe, The Seaver and Ryan trades (bad history is STILL history), The Worst Team Money Can Buy, Grand Slam Single, the black cat across the Cubs bench in 69, first game after 9/11, etc, etc etc.
And, I am only skimming the surface.
As for Doc's signature – I get that it wasn't authorized – but find a way to preserve it OR – since people seem to like the signature idea – do a wall or ribbon around the concourse for signatures / messages of Mets greats – maybe even do one that is permanently etched, where people can take pics and do rubbings to keep the signature/message as a keepsake. Or don't do the signature idea at all….but do SOMETHING. Obviously, fans are itching for it.
I dont' recall Shea having tributes to Todd Hundley, Jon Olerud and every other Tom, Dick and Harry to play there.
If you can't figure out what team plays in the Stadium (the various Mets Team Stores, memorabilia shops and giant photos on the LF side of the building should be a good hint) then you probably shouldn't have wasted your money showing up to such a mysterious event.
That's absurd. Shea was an old ballpark with little room for Mets history displays – that said, they had plenty of pics around, and even screenprinted on the blue ribbon aroun the press box. Gary would mention Jerry Grote and Bill Webb would have a pic of Grote on the screen.
This isn't about Shea – it's about a brand new stadium with huge concourses & open space for honoring the Mets. Plus scads of new features to name (we Get Ebbets Club, Empire Suites, and Excelsior Level instead of Shea Club, Seaver Suites, Mex's Mezzanine). Certainly seemed to be plenty of space to honor the g-ddamn Dodgers (I mean, does Wilpon not know that any self-respecting Mets fan who remembers 88 HATES the Dodgers?), etc.
Sinceit is a new stadium, it is fair to compare it not to Shea, but to newer stadia – like CBP (tons of Phillies memorabilia and even more stuff on the Philly A's than Citi has on the Mets), Safeco (tons of Mariner stuff and even more about the longtime Seattle AAA club than Citi has about the Mets).
But, I am sure you'll be happy with the green, black and light brick motif as long as you get to Pee Wee Reese Bobble Head Day.
That's absurd. Shea was an old ballpark with little room for Mets history displays – that said, they had plenty of pics around, and even screenprinted on the blue ribbon around the press box. Gary would mention Jerry Grote and Bill Webb would have a pic of Grote on the screen.
This isn't about Shea – it's about a brand new stadium with huge concourses & open space for honoring the Mets. Plus scads of new features to name (we Get Ebbets Club, Empire Suites, and Excelsior Level instead of Shea Club, Seaver Suites, Mex's Mezzanine). Certainly seemed to be plenty of space to honor the g-ddamn Dodgers (I mean, does Wilpon not know that any self-respecting Mets fan who remembers 88 HATES the Dodgers?), etc.
Since it is a new stadium, it is fair to compare it not to Shea, but to newer stadia – like CBP (tons of Phillies memorabilia and even more stuff on the Philly A's than Citi has on the Mets), Safeco (tons of Mariner stuff and even more about the longtime Seattle AAA club than Citi has about the Mets).
But, I am sure you'll be happy as long as you get to Pee Wee Reese Bobble Head Day.
I'm sure the Wilpons are just getting a read of the place before they complete the decorations. believe you me there will be a few photos up with in a couple of years. I envision the Chavez catch, Mookie grounder, Centerfield basket catch, and a few others.
What would you people like to see adorn the walls?
Yeah, there are few no doubters.
- Endy's catch
- Mookie's grounder
- Jesse throwing his glove in the air
- Agee's catches / Swoboda's catch
- Cleon Jones catching the last out of the '69 series
Then of course things like:
- an in motion shot of Seaver, Gooden
- Something with Tug and Ya Gotta believe
- Piazza in mid swing, Carter, etc.
- Mex at 1b
- I would like to see something about the sign guy
- of course the current guys
And there should be plenty of stuff about the old-timers (Agee, Clendenon, Koosman,etc, etc.).
Of course, Endy's catch is immortalized at the Left Field entrance to the ballpark. Ron Swoboda's catch is immortalized at the Right field entrance…
But those types of things get lost on people I guess…
Haven't been there yet, sorry. I just keep reading how there is NO Mets stuff anywhere. Which is why I answered the way I did.
There is as much Mets stuff in CitiField as there was at Shea. People are just upset over the all the focus on the Robinson Rotunda.
Matt, just FYI: you have "signed" written twice in a row in the first sentence. And, later you want to say "cue" but use the Brit-English word for a waiting line / lining-up, "queue."
I agree we need to pay tribute to the old guys, Hodges, Stengel, Wes Westrum, jerry buchek, Tommy davis, Ron Hunt, Rube walker, Cal Koonce, Swoboda but what about Willie Montanez and juan Samuel? PS don't tell Omar he might want to sign them!
No flat screens anywhere near 406 on the right field line. I walked halfway way around to get a bite and couldnt watch the game anywhere. Maybe they need to add a few more.
All of this is a nonsensical discussion, considering the lack of heart the players, and the fans have shown, but, I have a simple answer…let the players sign those two ("bush league") big apples…presuming they're not going to be removed.
Agreed! the hallways and stairways look as if construction is still going on!
just throwing this out there, but at mlb network studios they have a wall with a bunch of signatures ranging from cal ripken to tommy lasorda. it is just a plain white wall in a hallway and i think it is a great way for people to as you put it "leave their mark"
Take their "queue" ?!?! God you're dumb
Francesa is killing killing Yankee Stadium. He said its a freak show and cant stand. They have to figure it out cause it cant stay like this. Too easy to hit a HR.
Do we have to hold the Wilpon's hand for everything? I wish someone was there to hold their hand when the upper deck like Camden Yards – you know, the model for all these new parks – where you can see the entire field.
you can't see the whole outfield in camden yards in the upper deck. Very similar sight lines as Citi. Not saying this is excusable for Citi, just letting you know. You cannot in PNC, or Citizens either…
I'm stuck with the crap LF promenade for the Saturday plan too. Oh well, watched the entire game from the CF bridge and it was enjoyable. I plan on being there for every game, since the view & standing is better than my seat + sitting. Get there early and if you don't mind standing, it's a great place to watch the game.
BTW, the Wilpons are ashamed of Mets history. Don't you remember all the talk about this park being a "fresh start"?
erase Horowitz. he is the face to the joke of the horrible mets PR. Dave Howard too and all the Wilpons chummy family friends who helped contstruct this generic field. Thanks! Go Dodgers?!?!
All-time top Mets rotation that should be celebrated in Citifield:
1. Tom Seaver
2. Sandy Koufax
3. Dwight Gooden
4. Don Drysdale
5. Fernando Valenzuela
I sit in 504 and can't see half of RF. I called the sales dept. to complain. I told them how there are much better seats available in the Promenade section that are being held over for potential season ticket sales. I told the girl it seems if I am willing to pay more money I will be accomodated, but otherwise tough luck. She said the Saturday plan is sold out so there is nothing that can be done. What about the other seats, I asked? All I'm asking is to move 4 seats from RF to closer to home plate which are available. She said something which floored me. "MLB mandates a certain percentage of seats must go to season sales, a certain percentage must go to Saturday plans", etc. I then informed her how I was told numerous times "Well, we weren't even going to offer the 15 game plans". I asked how they can say that when she just told me MLB mandates certain percentages be held. And if that is indeed the case, no problem. Take my 4 seats now and offer them as full season tickets and put me in the better seats – an even swap which will not effect any percentages.
Were you the guy who just called into Francesa?
He had to be! lol Let us know if Francesa really helps you out or accepts your call if you call back to him!!!
Wayne Hagin reported during Sunday's game how the PADRES HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE LEAGUE BECAUSE THEIR RELIEVERS IN THE PEN COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING AT ALL! Howie quickly chimed in how "there will be kinks to be worked out in any new stadium" and how the Mets "will surely rectify some minor problems by the next homestand". Sure Howie, where are they gonna put the visitors pen? Expect no more comments like these from the booth and I'm sure Hagin was reprimanded.
i love this team but they can be so ass-backwards…
Matt – As a journalist, you should know that the Mets "should take their cue", not take their queue (sic).
Something that might be fairly easy to do would be to put something up on the huge concrete walls in the stair cases. Right now they are unfinished and very cold. It wouldn't take much to put up a different poster on each level, or paint them with mets colors and logos. Just a small thing that would add more of a "Mets feel" to an area walked up and down by thousands of fans before, during and after games.
This is a small issue, but it highlights the bigger point that the Wilpons (whether it is their intention or not) seem to have a real hangup over celebrating this team's past (particular the 80's team). Just keep the signature, is it really that big of deal? Are the people who go to the games going to have an issue with the fact that Doc Gooden wrote on a wall?
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Come on, the stadium has done nothing to honor the Mets period!
Come on, the stadium has done nothing to honor the Mets!
http://backpagebaseball.com/2009/04/20/mets-not-w...
Subtle history?? It's an almost 50 year history that's better than almost any other team in baseball. What, only the Yankees can celebrate the past?
Just a little Mets memorial from the past. Am I asking for too much?
We can always add the 1988 Dodger team picture, if that appeases Mr. Wilpon.
wow, matt, i have to disagree 100% here.
you've been to philly…that's a franchise that until a few months ago won ONE championship in about three hundred years. still that park is literally dripping with nostalgia. you could eat a schmitter there, or dine at harry the K's (RIP). and up in one of the higher decks there's a bar that pays tribute to phils' starting pitchers of the past…and i mean like all of them, or at least the ones that were around for a certain number of years. the walls are covered in their names, pics and stats.
i could understand if citi field payed equal attention to the mets, dodgers and giants, but it doesn't. it's a big tribute to the dodgers, with a hint of tiger stadium, because that's what the wilpons like, and they don't really care about what the fans like. and maybe they shouldn't have to, but let's call a spade a spade. and i'm a guy that has shed tears over the brooklyn dodgers despite being born 20+ years after they left, but this is a little ridiculous. citi field has great food and nice cupholders and stuff but i'm tired of hearing about how our championship trophies are in storage (!) and they just couldn't figure out a way to make blue paint stick to chairs. give me a break.
ERASING Doc's signature? It was a spontaneous act from one of our heroes. Yes, a flawed hero, but I was thrilled to see him back in the family. They should bronze, it, not clean it off like vandalism.
Citi Field is the brain child of Fred Wilpon, I think as the CEO it's his perogative as to the style, the demensions, the theme etc. etc. however, I am very disturbed that Mr. Wilpon
chose to celebrate more of the Dodger and Giant past than NY Mets history, granted we do not have the winning tradition of the Yankees, but then who does ?
We have to start somewhere at some point to not only celebrate OUR legacy but to establish it as part of NY BASEBALL TRADITION.
( CONTINUED BELOW )
I mean, come on, how about celebrating the "73 team that went up against the BIG RED MACHINE ARGUABLY THE GREATEST TEAM IN BASEBALL HISTORY( A TEAM THAT SWEPT THE NY YANKEES IN 4 WHEN THEY MET IN THE BASEBALL CLASSIC, AND HAD 4 HALL OF FAMERS PLAYING AT THE SAME TIME ) AND BEAT THEM !
THEN WENT UP AGAINST THE VAUNTED OKLAND A's AND PUSHED THEM UP AGAINST THE WALL TO A DECIDING GAME 7.
We have an excellent legacy for a team that has been part and parcell of NYC for only 49 seasons and I think we missed a golden opportunity to pay true homage to that legacy.
I appreciate the Jackie Robinson thing the NY giant thing but RESPECTFULLY THIS IS NOT ABOUT JACKIE ROBINSON OR THE GIANTS IT'S ABOUT THE TEAM THAT SURPLANTED THOSE TEAMS LONG AGO, ABOUT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, THEIR FANS AND THEIR TRADITION, IT'S ABOUT REPRESENTING THE FAN PLAYER RELATIONSHIPS OVER THE YEARS, WITH PLAYERS LIKE LEE MAZZILLI, JERRY GROTE AND OTHER UNSUNG AS WELL AS FAMOUS HEROS THAT WE IDOLIZED GROWING UP.
IN SHORT MR. WILPON IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT THIS CITIES LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE NY METS AND WHAT THEY HAVE MEANT TO US OVER THE YEARS.
Once again Matt,
not only was I unable to post my full post, but I was unable to post it in continuity,
the existing format has once again prevailed and trumped any systematic coherence
Have any of you guys been to US Cellular field? Wrigley gets most of the attention in Chicago, but The Cell is a NICE park. Everything is Jet Black (the teams color!) and the upper deck walls are lined with with blown up newspaper clips and photos of their great players. Jose Valentin hitting for the cycle had a section of the wall, and of course Robin Ventura had his own section too. Wilpon needs to take a page out of their book
If its not in a good spot, remove that section of the wall and put it somewhere cool. Have all current and former met stars sign the wall when they visit the park and make it something COOL for met fans. Why is it called "Ebbets club" anyway?
Met's should think about ripping off the rock and roll hof annex in nyc..they have a room with all the inductee's signatures, and each signature lights up when their song is played over the speakers..how about a wall with tv's attached that shows classic moments and highlight's the signature's involved in that particular play??
love to see statues of Seaver, Piazza, Straw, Gil, Casey, Tug, maybe Koosman and kranepool around the outside of Citifield like they do in Pittsburg and other stadiums. And what, they couldn't do a better job highlighting the retired #'s? Put them in lights! Be proud of the past!
P.S. enough already with those stupid, black hats and jerseys…blue and orange, blue and orange, thats Mets colors. Nothing is classier than the blue pinstripe unis and blue hats and stirrup socks…lets get back to being classy.
THIS FORMAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE, CONSIDERING HOW WE'RE PLAYING, THE NY METS HISTORY DEFICIT BEING PLAYED OUT AT "CITI FIELD" IT ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
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LEAVE THE SIGNATURE THERE. this is ridiculous, they cannot get rid of it.
matt is paid by SNY, which is owned by the mets. he is afraid to be too critical.
Simply laughable. What are they thinking?
they should not take gooden's signature down. rather, they should have all mets players, past and present, sign the wall just like in fenway where players sign inside the green monster. (note: i am not trying to copy any other teams…aka dodgers, red sox, ect.) as for matt saying that he doesnt want mets stuff to be too overblown…hes crazy. when i walk into citi field i want to see nothing but the mets. i wouldnt care if they put mets logos on the toilets and burger buns from the shake shack, as long as i see mets stuff. i want pictures from the greatest moments in our teams history, there are many great moments in fact. ive been to the stadium 3 times already and u wouldnt know its the mets new park. there are alot of open spaces where orange and blue murals of players and great moments could be placed to mets the place up. i want to get a headache from all the orange and blue, that is my wish.
In my opinion the biggest mistake they made, however, was that goddamn Jackie Robinson rotunda, what a disgrace. HE DIDNT EVEN PLAY FOR THE METS!!!!! the wilpons should buy the dodgers since they love them so much. I have a solution for the rotunda and here it is: The Rotunda Of Champions–on one side we honor the 86' team and the other the 69' team with huge murals where the robinson pictures are and on the 2 video screens they have they will show the highlights of those 2 seasons and on the ground the rosters and season highlights will be engraved. the giant 42 will be replaced with the numbers of great mets players past and present ex-41,17,8,5,7,14,37,18,etc. and finally space in the middle of the rotunda will be reserved for future world series championships. that is my solution………
shut up.
"…i would like to see more attention paid to guys like Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges and Davey Johnson"
Let's not leave out Yogi Berra, who's relationship with the team is also longstanding, and was skipper for the wacky 1973 WS team. Why should the Yanks have him all to themselves?
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Mets ownership is a joke. They have no pride in their own teams history. Why bother owning the team?
could the mets be any dumber
Matt, I understand that you are employed by SNY, so obviously on many occasions you need to take the pro-Mets slant. I don't think anyone that reads this cite wants you to lose another gig because of this website.
However, I feel with your discussion of the new Citi Field, you are starting to lose your credibility with the fans. You said how great the ballpark was while you watched from a luxury box while dismissing that one of the complaints was the views. Now you are saying the Mets have a subtle history that is difficult to incoproate into a ballpark.
The Mets have had their moments and none of them are to be seen. When something spontaneous happens that the fans love, you take the Mets side.
Matt, do us all a favor, and avoid these hot button issues from now on because when you take the Mets side on all these issues, you become that much less interesting to read.
I was there on Sunday. It's a nice ballpark, but there is nothing that says "Mets" on it unless it is on a digital scoreboard, or on the Home Run Apple. Guess what? Our guys don't hit homeruns enough to get the damn thing to rise and clue us in to who is playing the home game there.
It is bland, generic and I can't tell if the Mets, Dodgers or Hofstra University plays at the park. I wanted to love this stadium so much. Green seats and brick… welcome to the home of your New York Mets.
I'm sorry. We have a lamented past? Compared to the Yankees maybe. But since 1969, Philly, Florida and NY have 2 World Series championships and Atlanta has 1. Washington/Montreal none. I'll be the first to say the Mets mess a lot of things up. They do. But there are franchises that have never won or haven't won in 100 years that have more pride in themselves than we do. I'm sorry but a museum featuring some of the greats from the late 60's/early 70's, mid 80's, late 90's would be interesting to see especially considering most are still alive. Rare world series footage, pictures, memorabilia, maybe some items from Shea would be cool. It doesn't have to be the size of the baseball hall of fame. But c'mon. Give us something that we can say this is our history. Be proud.
They should have left it on the wall. Doc was a huge part of the 80's and early 90's, even though Doc and Straw started acting like they were more Yankee then Met in the first few years after they hung up the cleats. The Mets should show them love.
I was told that other than the blue and orange all over the place, you would have no idea you were in a Mets ballpark. That def. has to change. Theres no reason why there cant be a section dedicated to the Miracle Mets, the '86 team and even the 2000 team. Time will tell how this is addressed.
I understand and do agree…but the fact you are at citifield means you are there for a mets game, so that already should be enough.
True, but there should be tangible memorabilia that will only instill more pride into the team from its fans. God knows Mets fans deserve it..
Wilpon has said he is planning to do a section of Citi to honor those Amazing Dodgers of '69.
lol touche.
I didn't real feel the absence of any reminders that I was at a Mets game (as if I needed any). Outside of the entrance in leftfield (much of which is viewable from the Whitestone Expwy) there are various large photos from Mets history.
More prevalent inside the stadium were Mets Team Stores and memorablia shops.
Anyway, I don't think anyone needs to be reminded which team plays in the Stadium.
Of course, I'll take 30 dollar Mets T-shirts over the honoring of the Mets' past any day
I wish I was there so he could have signed signed my jersey as well…
I want blue tint in the blue smoke beer.
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Well, I'm probably in the minority here, but this is how I see it:
I was happy to see him come back to the Mets, and I feel he is part of the overall history of the Mets, just like Straw, and Darling, and Bobby O, but I wouldn't expect those guys to go around the stadium essentially writing graffiti on the walls without permission.
I feel Doc had a moment. He didn't think, and now he has put the Mets in an impossible situation. If I understand this correctly, the area where he put his mark is only accessible to certain ticket holders, so that is a problem right off the bat. I know I would never be able to enter the Ebbets Club unless someone gave me a ticket.
I have nothing against Doc, or the idea of autographing walls, as long as it is done in an area where the common folk can have access. I think the Mets are correct in erasing the wall, and they should invite all former Mets to sign a wall somewhere else where EVERYONE can see it. That is probably a good start for the so-called museum.
My suggestion for the location…….as soon as you come off the rotunda escalators.
I went to THE FIRST GAME EVER at CitiField against the Red Sox and I did not feel like I was at a Mets game at all. There is no blue and orange and th stadium is like a homage t the old Brooklyn Dodgers. I mean the Dodgers left NY , what, over 50 yeras ago, get over it. The Mets have plenty of history, the 69 Miracle Mets, the 73 Ya Gotta Beleive Mets and of course the 86 we are the champions METs and lets not foget that reat team from 1999-2000. We have plenty to celebrate and be proud of as METS fans. The big question is what is wrong with the "owners" not wanting to see this? The Marlins have banners of the 97 and 03 teams up? The new stadium is nice, but, it was a sell out to corporate america. From where I was sitting I could NOT see any play in the leftfield corner and I missed at least 2. Thank God for th replay on the big screen. We need more METS stuff around to make it feel like home. I remember seeing a banner of "Ty Wiggs" at Shea and he only played thrd for a year. LETS GO METS, get some more "stuff" around and get this Dodger junk out of your heads.
I think Mets fans are getting a little bit too sentimental here. I see what Gooden has done here as graffiti. I love Doc just as much as the next Met fan but this is the reason why he has gotten into so much trouble in his life. He makes poor decisions. You don't just write your name wherever you please. It was a childish act and yes it should be erased.
I don't understand why everyone thinks there needs to be more recognition of past teams at Citi Field. Do we really need giant murals of Casey Stengal and Davey Johnson in the stadium? I mean, honestly, what's the difference. Just go to the park and ROOT FOR THE TEAM and stop whining.
As I said above, there are various reasons for people to resent the rotunda. I'll file yours under "knee-jerk reactionary."
And my god who cares what color the seats are?!
NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH. I work at Citi Field in the Modells Clubhouse and I personally saw Dwight Gooden sign the wall. HOWEVER, overnight a bunch of VANDALS thought it would be funny to write their names around DOC'S name. The wall looked disgusted and security was forced to put up a white board on top of it. The wall was going to be signed by every former met if it wasnt for the jackasses that signed their names. Dont blame the METS, blame those jackasses who were given a job in this rough economy and decided to thank the mets by vandalizing a clubhouse and a legends mark.
I want to organize a boycott of this field. I hate it. It's a sterile and overly commercial mess. The Vegas strip has fewer billboards and garish flashing lights. On opening day even the sky was for sale–a hideous blimp blinking with advertisements.
This is outrageous!! That is definitely unwanted graffiti and the Mets are doing the right thing. What kind of message is Dwight "Doc" Gooden sending to fans by writing that nonsense? Autographs are for children, not for PUBLIC STRUCTURES THAT TAXPAYERS PAID FOR!
I think it would be better in a "public" part of the park where fans can look for the sig of there favorite MET. Kinda like thw walk of fame on Hollywood Blvd. Lets get this thing rolling.