Amazin' Stories

Mets Single Game Tickets And Promotions Released

FLUSHING, N.Y., April 29, 2009 – The New York Mets today announced that single-game tickets for their June-October regular season games at Citi Field will go on sale this Sunday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. exclusively online at Mets.com, LosMets.com, and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX. Ticket prices start at $11.

In-person sales will begin Monday, May 4 at Citi Field, the Mets Clubhouse Shops in Manhattan (42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, across from Bryant Park) and at the Roosevelt Field Mall (Garden City, Long Island), and KeySpan Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

The 40^th anniversary of the 1969 Mets World Series Championship Saturday, August 22 at 7:10 p.m. highlights the remainder of the schedule.  Team members will return for an on-field pre-game ceremony. The first 25,000 fans will receive a commemorative item sponsored by Citi.

The Mets will offer fans more than 50 promotion, theme, and heritage dates giving away 400,000 items. 

Highlights of the remainder of the 2009 regular season schedule include:

CITI FIELD INAUGURAL SEASON COLLECTIBLES

Mets Build-A-Bear Workshop Day – The first 20,000 fans will receive a one-of-a-kind Mets Build-A-Bear commemorating the team’s first year at Citi Field Saturday, August 1 when the Mets host the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m.

Citi Field Ballpark Tin presented by Lincoln Mercury – The first 25,000 fans at the Mets-San Francisco Giants game Sunday, August 16 at 1:10 p.m. will receive a Citi Field ballpark tin.

Citi Field Ballpark Replica presented by Harrah’s – On Sunday, August 23, when the Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:10 p.m., the first 25,000 fans will take home a piece of history with a replica of the Mets new home.

METS MERCHANDISE

Mets Visor presented by GEICO – On Wednesday, May 6, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Mets visor when the Mets host the division rival Phillies at 7:10 p.m.

Mets Collectors Cup presented by Premio – The Mets will provide a special collectors cup to the first 25,000 fans Friday, June 19 when they face the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays at 7:10 p.m.

Mets Lunchbox presented by Verizon Wireless – The first 25,000 fans will receive a Mets lunchbox at the Saturday, July 11 matchup with the Cincinnati Reds at 7:10 p.m.

Francisco Rodriguez Bobblehead presented by Gold’s Horseradish – The first 25,000 fans can take home a bobblehead of the Mets closer and Major League Baseball’s single-season saves record holder when they buy tickets to the Mets-Chicago Cubs game on Sunday, September 6 at 1:10 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS

1969 World Series Celebration/Giveaway sponsored by Citi – Fans can celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Mets winning their first World Series in franchise history with an on-field ceremony honoring team members before the Saturday, August 22 game between the Mets and Phillies at 7:10 p.m. The first 25,000 fans will receive a commemorative item courtesy of Citi.

Senior Stroll – Fans 60 and over can take a leisurely stroll around the bases at Citi Field – weather permitting – following the Mets–Braves matchup on Wednesday, May 13 at 1:10 p.m.

Mr. Met Dash presented by Nestle Drumstick – All kids 12 and under in attendance will have the opportunity to run the bases at Citi Field – weather permitting – during Mr. Met Dashes Sunday, May 31; Sunday, July 12; Monday, August 24; and Sunday, September 6.

Fiesta Latina presented by Budweiser – Fiesta Latina celebrates Hispanic culture throughout the Friday, July 31 game at 7:10 p.m. against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

HERITAGE

The Mets will celebrate the diversity of New York with pre-game activities during heritage dates including: Greek Night (Friday, May 29); Chinese-American Night (Tuesday, July 7); Korean Night (Friday, July 10); Polish-American Night (Tuesday, August 18); Irish Night (Saturday, August 22); Jewish Heritage Day (Sunday, August 23); Taiwan Night (Wednesday, Sept. 9); and Oktoberfest (Friday, October 2).

HEALTH AWARENESS & EDUCATION

The Mets will host groups and provide information on health and wellness issues on the following dates: Autism Awareness (Saturday, May 9); Fitness & Nutrition Education Day (Wednesday, May 13); Alzheimer’s Awareness (Thursday, July 9); Organ Donation Awareness (Wednesday, August 19); Epilepsy Awareness (Saturday, September 19); and Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness (Saturday, September 20).

Mets Season Ticket and Plan sales are up 7 percent over last year with more than 2.3 million tickets sold, and tickets for April and May games are pacing 100 percent ahead of last year’s comparable-to-date sales.

Non-refundable service charges are applicable on Mets.com, LosMets.com, by phone, and at the Mets Clubhouse Shops. Fans will have the same access to available ticket inventory online at Mets.com and LosMets.com, as on the (718) 507-TIXX phone line.

The complete 2009 Mets schedule - including information on promotional dates, heritage and theme days/nights, and other special events - is available at Mets.com and LosMets.com.

 

 

The following is the most up-to-date listing of promotion, theme and heritage dates subject to change:

Mets Promotion*                                  Opponent         Day      Date        Time

Visor (GEICO)                                       Phillies              Wed     May 6       7:10 p.m.

City Harvest Skip Lunch

Fight Hunger Night                     Phillies              Wed     May 6       7:10

Autism Awareness                                 Pirates              Sat       May 9       1:10

Senior Stroll                                          Braves              Wed     May 13     1:10

Fitness & Nutrition Education Day           Braves              Wed     May 13     1:10

Freedom Alliance Night                          Nationals           Mon      May 25     7:10

T-Shirt (SpongeTech)                              Nationals           Tues     May 26     7:10 

Greek Night                                           Marlins              Fri        May 29     7:10

Tote Bag

        (Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula)     Marlins             Sat       May 30     1:10

Faith Day                                              Marlins              Sat       May 30     1:10

Lutheran School Association Day            Marlins              Sat       May 30     1:10

Mr. Met Dash (Nestle Drumstick)            Marlins              Sun      May 31     1:10

Collectors Cup presented by Premio        Rays                 Fri        June 19     7:10 

Cap (Nathan’s)                                       Rays                 Sat       June 20     4:10

Brooklyn/Queens Catholic School Night   Cardinals           Wed     June 24     7:10

Employee Appreciation Night                  Cardinals           Wed     June 24     7:10

Cap Trade (Chevrolet)**                           Yankees           Fri        June 26     7:10

Cap Trade (Chevrolet)**                           Yankees           Sat       June 27     7:10

Cap Trade (Chevrolet)**                           Yankees           Sun      June 28     1:10

Chinese American Night                         Dodgers            Tues     July 7        7:10

Alzheimer’s Awareness                          Dodgers            Thurs    July 9        7:10

Korean Night                                         Reds                 Fri        July 10      7:10

Lunchbox (Verizon)                                Reds                 Sat       July 11      7:10

Gift Card (Dunkin’ Donuts)                      Reds                 Sun      July 12      1:10

Mr. Met Dash (Nestle Drumstick)            Reds                 Sun      July 12      1:10

Camp Day                                             Rockies            Thurs    July 30    12:10

Fiesta Latina/Koozie (Budweiser)***         Diamondbacks   Fri        July 31      7:10

Build-A-Bear Workshop Day****              Diamondbacks   Sat       Aug. 1       7:10

T-Shirt (Subway)                                    Diamondbacks   Sun      Aug. 2       1:10

Camp Day                                             Cardinals           Wed     Aug. 5      12:10

Magnetic Picture Frame (Verizon)           Giants               Sat       Aug. 15      7:10

Ballpark Tin (Lincoln Mercury)                 Giants               Sun      Aug. 16      1:10

Polish-American Night                            Braves              Tues     Aug. 18      7:10

Organ Donor Awareness                         Braves              Wed     Aug. 19      7:10

Sports Bag (GEICO)                               Phillies              Fri        Aug. 21      7:10

1969 Celebration (Citi)                            Phillies              Sat       Aug. 22      7:10

Irish Night                                              Phillies              Sat       Aug. 22      7:10

Citi Field Ballpark Replica (Harrah’s)        Phillies              Sun      Aug. 23      1:10

Jewish Heritage Day                               Phillies              Sun      Aug. 23      1:10

Mr. Met Dash (Nestle Drumstick)            Phillies              Mon      Aug. 24      1:10

Frankie Rodriguez Bobblehead

(Gold’s Horseradish)                   Cubs                 Sat       Sept. 5        1:10

Mr. Met Dash (Nestle Drumstick)            Cubs                 Sun      Sept. 6        1:10

Taiwan Night                                          Marlins              Wed     Sept. 9        7:10

Police & Firefighters Night                      Nationals           Fri        Sept. 18      7:10

Epilepsy Awareness                               Nationals           Sat       Sept. 19      1:10

Faith Day                                              Nationals           Sat       Sept. 19      1:10

Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness                   Nationals           Sun      Sept. 20      1:10

Employee Appreciation Night                  Braves              Mon      Sept. 21      7:10

Oktoberfest                                           Astros               Fri        Oct. 2          7:10

Brooklyn/Queens Catholic School Night   Astros               Fri        Oct. 2          7:10

 

*All promotions are for the first 25,000 fans except where noted

**First 5,000 fans

***First 25,000 fans 21 and over

****First 20,000 fans

 

Delgado Out Until Friday

Carlos Delgado met with doctors today and underwent an MRI, which revealed inflammation of the right hip. Delgado - despite saying that he might need a cortisone shot - already had one, according to Omar Minaya. He will sit out tonight and Wednesday afternoon and is expected to be ready to play in Philadelphia Friday.

Anthem Search is On

This from the Mets:

The New York Mets today announced they will hold their annual Mets Anthem Search this Monday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Citi Field for the opportunity to sing the National Anthem prior to a 2009 Mets home game.

 

Finalists from Monday’s event will advance to the final round of auditions at Citi Field in the weeks ahead.  Five singers will be selected from the final group and will each perform the National Anthem at five games later this season.

 

The first 100 to register are guaranteed an audition and an opportunity to perform a song of their choice – excluding the National Anthem – a cappella.  The contestants will be judged by an All-Star panel of judges including singer Michael Amante, SNY personality Gary Apple and PIX 11 sports anchor Lolita Lopez. 

 

Last year, those seeking to audition for the Mets Anthem Search began lining up as early as 4:00 a.m.

 

The Anthem Search winners will join the ranks of previous anthem singers for the Mets including Marc Anthony, June Carter and Johnny Cash, Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, Sheryl Crow, Art Garfunkel, Wyclef Jean, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Aaron Neville, *NSYNC, Rihanna, Carly Simon, the casts of West Side Story, Mamma Mia! and South Pacific, and many others.

 

The auditions are free and open to all ages.  Those under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information on the Anthem Search, log on to Mets.com, LosMets.com, or call (718) 559-3119.

Scratch Garcia From the Possibilities

Looking for an alternative to Oliver Perez?

Scratch one more name from that list.

The Mets announced that they have released Freddy Garcia after the surgically-repaired righthander posted an 0-2 record with an 8.18 ERA for the Class AAA Buffalo Bisons.

Jerry Manuel said Monday that he will watch Perez carefully Saturday and make no guarantees of a start beyond that one. But the Mets' list of candidates for the spot if Perez was moved to the pen or demoted is sparse - Tim Redding will be ready soon, but that is a drop down in talent from Perez with little upside. Dillon Gee was a favorite of Jerry Manuel in spring training, but he is off to a slow start in Buffalo - although his strikeout to walk numbers are more impressive than his record or ERA.

Nelson Figueroa re-signed with the Mets last week and will make the start for Buffalo tonight in Rochester.

Delgado Scratched

The Mets shuffled their lineup, pulling Carlos Delgado because of a problem with his hip, injured when he hit a triple Sunday.

The lineup now is:

Reyes SS Castillo 2B Beltran CF Sheffield LF Wright 3B Church RF Tatis 1B Santos C Maine P

Tatis was originally at 2B but shuffled with Delgado out. And no switch was enough to get Daniel Murphy in the lineup.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wright Stuff

David Wright is in the cage for early BP and there are two noteable changes - his head is nearly shaved and he started the session by batting lefthanded, bunting twice and then taking a swing that showed that this is clearly just a drill. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Looking Ahead

After John Maine, Livan Hernandez and Johan Santana take the mound in this series against the Marlins, the pitching matchups are set for the upcoming matchup with the Phillies.

Friday May 1 - Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 6.32) vs. Chan Ho Park (0-0, 7.16)
Saturday May 2 - Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31) vs. Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09)
Sunday May 3 - John Maine (0-2, 7.47) vs. Joe Blanton (0-2, 7.31)

Citi Field is Still Standing

I arrived here a short time ago and despite some of the early angst that has set in on the team's struggles, the ballpark is still up. Of course, Daniel Murphy also just missed a fly ball during early work (only kidding - the Marlins are on the field - give him time).

But I'm going to try to talk you all down from the ledge - you've got to make room for the Yankees' fans up there.

Here are the problems and solutions:

Problem 1. David Wright is striking out a lot

Solution: Patience. This has never been a big problem for Wright and as unsightly as the 23 strikeouts in 70 at-bats looks, it's a small sample size and he is still hitting .271, not .171. The odd part of this stat is that he also isn't hitting for power while he's striking out. He's got just one homer and six RBI so far this year, but let's use 2007 as a historical precedent. Wright was homerless in March and April that year, driving in six runs in 24 games and 108 at-bats (with 23 strikeouts, too). He finished the season with 30 homers, 107 RBI, a 325 batting average and a .963 OPS - and a manageable 115 strikeouts.

Problem 2: Daniel Murphy can't play left field

Solution: Patience. Noticing a trend here? Murphy is brutal out there right now - but that's not a surprise. Even when he caught the ball last year he usually took terrible routes to the ball, misjudged plays and somehow wound up with the ball in his glove. This year, not so much. He's working tirelessly and will eventually corral enough fly balls to justify his place in the batting order. What is more troubling are the other parts of his defensive game. He is quick heading to a ball down the line and quick getting it in - but there is the odd cut-off pattern coming to light where Jose Reyes looks like a big brother coming to have the ball handed to him to handle.

Problem 3:Oliver Perez and the uncertain starting pitching.

Solution: Patience. Okay, here you might have patience, but I'm a little panicked. Perez is getting another start, Saturday in Philadelphia. But does his 0.35 ERA against the Phillies last year hold up when he looks as bad as he has looked? Beats me, but the oddity now seems to be the good game. He had one in spring training when the world seemed to be against him and he had one earlier this season against the Brewers. But can you count on time is going to straighten him out? The more I talk about Perez the less I think you should move off the ledge just yet. The real problem is if you move him out - what's next? Tim Redding? He's Tim Redding. Dillon Gee? O-3 with a 5.40 ERA at Buffalo. And you already have a fifth starter type talent in the fifth starter spot.

Darryl Strawberry to Appear at the Yogi Berra Museum

Here's a note from the Yogi Berra Museum:

Former Mets and Yankees slugger Darryl Strawberry, whose achievements on the field were often overshadowed by his struggles off it, will be at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center on Thursday, April 30 (6-8 p.m.) to sign copies of his new memoir, “Straw: Finding My Way.” 

Strawberry was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1983 with the Mets, beginning a destined-for-stardom career that would be interrupted by drug use, suspensions, visits to rehab and treatment for colon cancer. He hit over 300 home runs in his seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees, and was a member of four championship teams, yet is often remembered for the bad decisions and demons that almost cost him his life.

One of New York’s most charismatic and beloved athletes, Strawberry saw his life change dramatically in 2006. With his wife, Tracy, he devoted himself to his church and to his work with children and adults affected by autism and other developmental disorders.

“Straw: Finding My Way” is available for purchase at the Museum, which is located on the campus of Montclair State University. For info: (973) 655-2378.

Is It Too Early or Too Late To Panic?

Four straight losses. A 6-9 record. Five games out of first place - and just 2 1/2 out of last.

Can the Mets be fixed?

As we detailed in today's Record, the Mets continued their freefall by succumbing meekly to a three-game sweep in St. Louis. The problem is pitching and maybe that's no surprise.

When the Mets were nearing the end of camp, I asked our readers here what worried them and we got plenty of answers - almost all of them eerily on the money. The No. 1 concern was the starting pitching behind Johan Santana and that has quickly come true in the worst way. Four starters with ERA's over 7.00 isn't about to carry the Mets to a title.

The real problem is what to do. While there is some speculation that the Mets could demote Mike Pelfrey or Oliver Perez that seems a last resort. Pelfrey has battled some injuries and frankly, the truth is that there is no one in the minors who seems anywhere near ready to take a major league spot.

There was some contention in the organization that Dillon Gee could take the fifth spot in the rotation out of camp, but that contingent was overruled with the belief that it is far too soon. Statistics can be deceptive, but he's 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA for Buffalo, so maybe a quick call isn't in line.

Perez might need the work, but really, he's just as likely to throw a no-hitter as give up seven runs next time out. And he is very unlikely to change his colors no matter where you try to work with him.

So the likely solution is to wait and hope that the pitchers turn it around.

In the meantime, maybe a little extra hustle and fire from the position players wouldn't hurt.

The question now is, what worries you today? Is it just the starting pitching? Do you believe that Daniel Murphy will grow into an outfielder? And is it time to invite Pedro Martinez back?