August 1, 2010
Citi Field (Capacity: 41,800)
Queens, NY
New York Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Final Score: 1 – 14
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In 2009, the New York Mets moved from their aging, but mostly loved home of Shea Stadium to brand new Citi Field, which was built in the parking lot across from Shea. We visited the new stadium on a rare, pleasant summer afternoon as an overcast sky kept temperatures comfortably in the low 80s. The Mets started in 1962 to give the city a National League team after the Giants and Dodgers left town. It’s been an interesting 40+ years for the franchise with some historic players and teams, like the two championship squads in 1969 and 1986. Since my last visit (at Shea in 2004), New York became competitive again after a brief down period. Unfortunately, despite overall success when looking at their record, it was nothing but bitter disappointment as they lost Game 7 of the NLCS in the 9th during the ’06 season, while the next two years produced a historic division collapse and a loss in their last game at Shea that eliminated them from going to the postseason. The ballpark has some great features, but there are also several flaws. Namely that the stadium honors a different team and there are way too many high-class seats. Many Mets fans understandably and justifiably don’t like that their ballpark pays tribute to the Brooklyn Dodgers (which has no association with the Mets). Steps were at least taken to improve and fix that.
Prestige Ranking: 3.5 out of 5
Location
Citi Field is located in the Flushing section of Queens, which is the easternmost borough of New York City. The ballpark was built across from where Shea Stadium once stood and near the facility, there are plenty of activities in Corona Park. This includes the USTA Tennis Center, New York Hall of Science, Queens Museum of Art, World’s Fair icons, the Queens Zoo and the Queens Botanical Garden. However, the fun stuff in Corona Park is a mile or two away across from a train station. Right near the stadium are parking lots and the combination of junk yards and ugly, old auto parts places that line 126th Street. The attractions of Midtown Manhattan are a 15-30 minute mass transit ride away.
Location Ranking: 5 out of 10
Accessibility / Parking
Citi Field is fairly easy to get to, right off of the Grand Central Parkway (along with other highways) and parking in the large general lot is simple if you get there early (which I did). If it does get full, I believe they direct you to other parking areas. New York traffic often can be a mess and while it’s hard to not encounter some type of backup there are ballpark time instances where it may not be terrible. Additionally, mass transit is a feasible option with both a Subway and a Long Island Railroad stop right in front of the stadium. The transit system throughout New York City is quite expansive, though a little confusing for first time users.
Accessibility / Parking Ranking: 6.5 out of 8
Exterior
The exterior of the park is beautiful with a very similar design to Brooklyn’s old Ebbets Field. It’s a V shaped set-up with light colored bricks and continuous arches and dividers. On top of the ballpark in the front and sides is the “Citi Field” logo. The only reason the ranking is a 9 and not a 10 is because the architecture is not original, but an updated copy from a different franchise. Can’t ignore the fact of what a great introduction it is to a stadium.
Exterior Ranking: 9 out of 10
Concourse
Inside the main entrance is the wonderful Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Though not a Met, this is still a great opening that not only pays homage to Robinson, but also includes the primary team store and the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum (more on that in displays). Fans then take an escalator to reach the field level concourse and at the top is a cool display showing today’s lineup in large baseball card format. There are three concourses, but the main ones are at the top and bottom as the middle one is mainly blocked for club seating. The lower level feels a little cramped and the color scheme (black) is a head-scratching theme throughout the ballpark for a team that is blue and orange. I also did not like how the escalator for the top level was not right near the main entrance. At least several concourse spots have field views and there were also some noteworthy sections. One is behind home plate in the upper deck, which is almost like a bar set up with beer in the middle and picnic benches circling the area with various food stands and a team store. There is also a large video screen so fans can see the game. Second, is a very popular outfield spot. Though most field views are blocked because of the scoreboard, a cool feature is the “Shea Bridge”, which is a tribute to NYC’s many bridges. It goes over the bullpen and looks good, along with providing a nice view of the game. A kid’s zone is also in the back of the outfield area with dunk tanks, a mini-diamond and other various activities.
Concourse Ranking: 4 out of 5
Food
The main reason fans comes to this outfield section is for the food. The “Shake Shack”, a growing chain that has delicious burgers and shakes is by far the most popular. Also in the outfield is the “Taste of the City” with concession stands such as “Catch of the Day” and “El Verano Taqeuria”. Another city restaurant, “Blue Smoke” provides the awesome barbeque. This area is full of a huge variety of food (and lines) with the “World’s Market Fair” near the same vicinity. “Mama’s of Corona” brings some great Italian specialties. Most of the stands behind the seats were standard stuff with Nathan’s Hot Dogs particularly highlighted, however there were some of those outfield food offerings also available upstairs. Overall, terrific food here. Beer selection at Citi Field was also staggering as their “Big Apple Brews” section had a whopping 28 bottled varieties.
Food Ranking: 8 out of 8
Interior
Citi Field’s interior features three decks and five levels of seating. The design between the foul poles is a circle with soft corners that goes around the field and is fairly consistent with the exception being behind home plate with some extra sections overhanging out. Most of the seating in the outfield is in the form of three decks in left-center. Some small seating sections are also available in Center and Right, as Right field also features the overhanging Pepsi Porch, which was a nice spot. Disappointments can be found with the ballpark as there is a ton of privileged seating with a total of six clubs and 54 suites. I understand it, but I don’t like it and six clubs is a lot. Additionally, there are many more seats that have obstructed views, where as Shea had very few. A lot of nooks make it difficult to see outfield spots too, but this is common in a lot of stadiums. This is an enclosed ballpark and while blocking off the view of the junkyards is fine, it would have been nice if you could see more than just the few peeks of Flushing Bay. Maybe they didn’t because of incoming wind issues. The new ballpark has an OK design, it’s just that it also doesn’t “feel” like the Mets. Seats were colored dark green and not blue; meanwhile, black is the predominant color in many aspects of the park.
Interior Ranking: 7 out of 14
Scoreboard
The scoreboard at Citi Field is nice and all, of course an upgrade from Shea, but I actually liked the other one better. The main board here is in Center, with crystal-clear HD video. It’s sandwiched by ads, but at the top it says “Let’s Go Mets” with the Citi Field logo above it. There’s another slightly smaller board in right with most of the statistics. I did find game replays weren’t too common. The board also seems to overpower the outfield, which is better than the view below. An out-of-town scoreboard is unusually on the roof in left and there are ribbon-boards between seating decks.
Scoreboard Ranking: 3 out of 4
Displays
The organization took a lot of heat their first year at Citi Field for not honoring the Mets history enough (almost paying more attention to the Brooklyn Dodgers). Even though, stadium colors aren’t as team-oriented as Shea, the Mets listened and took strides in 2010 to fix the lack of displays and it worked. Outside of the ballpark is a highlight and it starts with the old Mets Home Run Apple displayed in front of the stadium. Perfect picture opportunity there. Along with images of past Mets lining the sides of the exterior, there is also a nice “Fanwalk” which has bricks bought by fans and displays describing historic Mets moments. My favorite is the Robin Ventura home run turned single to beat the Braves on my birthday in 1999. By far the highlight of the honors is in the rotunda, where the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum is. It truly is both a Hall of Fame and Museum with a ton of displays, exhibits and features. Inside the ballpark, retired numbers are on the left field wall (#37 Stengel, #14 Hodges, #41 Seaver and Shea), along with banners for Division, League and World Series crowns. In right field, there are two flags that fly with World Series Championship honors.
Displays Ranking: 5.5 out of 6
Cost
Mets game ticket prices are ridiculous. Baseball was the only pro sport left in NYC that was affordable, but that has ended. There are five pricing structures (varying on the opponent and date of game) and there are 21 pricing categories, not counting the club seating. Using the middle Silver priced game, 10 out of the 21 categories cost $70 or more. There are cheap seats, but not a lot. The prices may not have reached absurd Yankee levels, but the Mets have turned into a pricey venture. Parking was an expectedly expensive $19. Some food prices actually weren’t bad like a $3.50 regular soda or a reasonable $5.50 for a burger. Then there are a few high items like the $6 slice of pizza and $17 lobster roll. The program was a value at $5.
Cost Ranking: 4.5 out of 8
Fan Support
Mets fans are quite knowledgeable and very passionate about their team. Their support (especially on Long Island and the Eastern NYC boroughs) is huge…however; it doesn’t always translate to high attendance. Last year with the new park, they filled it to 92% capacity, but so far in 2010, it’s down to 80% which is 10th in the league. It’s likely a good mix of cost and team results keeping it from being completely filled each night; however it is not a result of lack of fan support, because there are a ton of good, passionate fans. Even with split allegiances in the City given the presence of the Yankees, there is no doubt that New York is a baseball town.
Fan Support Ranking: 6.5 out of 8
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Mets games can vary quite a bit, probably the most Jekyll and Hyde place in the league. During my game, the boo-birds were out, but rightfully so by New York standards (an embarrassing 14-1 shellacking on Hall of Fame Day). I never got a gauge on what the crowd noise is like in Citi and have yet to see it really rock on what little I’ve seen on TV, so I’m curious how raucous it can be when the team becomes playoff contenders again.
Atmosphere Ranking: 8.5 out of 14
Other Stuff
In dead-center is the batters eye and a bigger version of the Mets Apple, which rises up during home runs…..Just like Shea, you can still hear those loud jets roaring over the stadium as they take off and land in nearby LaGuardia Airport…..In the playing field, right field provides some odd dimensions.
Game
Arizona absolutely rocked the Mets. It was Hall of Fame day at the park and before the game was a long, well-done ceremony inducting Frank Cashen, Davey Johnson and still popular, but troubled ex-Mets Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry. The game started 0-0 with Jonathan Niese cruising, but then the D-Backs were backed by two Adam LaRoche three-run homers in the 4th and 5th innings. They led 8-1 after five and the hits kept coming after that as they eventually won 14-1. Daniel Hudson’s first start after being traded to Arizona was spectacular: 8 IP, 3 H, and 1 ER.
Stadium and Arena Visits 
