Shea Is Totally Gone

All of the remains of the old Shea Stadium, are gone. Just 1 Patch needs to be paved in the parking lot. Still it's surreal, not seeing Shea Stadium, standing:

Mets lost to Braves, 8-7 in 12 Innings at Citi Field;

The Pez Report

A Digital Scorecard-The Pez Report-Plus It Was Too Cold To Continue

46 ELLSBURY-8
15 Pedroia4
34 Papi-10
7 Drew-9
44 ~Bay-7
25-Lowell-5
54-Carter-3
12-Lowrie-6
33-V-tek-2

31-Lester-1

1st MLB Pitch by Livan Hernandez at 6:14pm, ELLSBURY FLIED TO BELTRAN IN CENTER
PEDROIA 1st hit in Citi
Drew k2.

Geena Fazzio threw ceremonial 1st ball-on a wfan contest on ''boomer and carton''.

7-Reyes-6

28-MURPHY OUT 2-6 cs by vtek
5-wright-5 bb
21-delgado--3-bb
15-beltran-8

31 -lester-1-25 pitches in 1st inning
walking 3

44-bay-7 flew to murphy
54 carter flew to murphy
12 lowrie6 -8

17 tatis doubled to left
62-10-kielty 5-3
11-2-CASTRO 6-3
1-4castillo 4-3

1st mlb rbi by boston's chris carter, driving in drew;

The MDC screwed up my evening;

Buckner Shirt Wearers NEED TO G F Y;

The Pez Report Digital Scorecard From Citi Field in Corona, Queens

The Pez Report Presents "Parking At Citi Field"

$18 to park one's car at Citi Field, even for the employees:

BS;

The Pez Report;

PS:
ONLY a small amount of rubble is left from Shea Stadium. It's being paved over for the Citi Field Parking Lot;

PPS:
There's a new restaurant-pub, beyond the Bullpen Entrance to Citi Field, by 34th Avenue & 126th Street, called The Dugout Lounge. Give 'em your business;

The Pez Report

YS III Opened For Real Today

1-1 in the 5th Inning & Babe Ruth Never slept there:

The Frieze adds something to the New Yankee Stadium;

How Long before The Yankees fans start moaning and groaning about New Yankee Stadium, all over W F A N,the way Mets fans are whining about Citi Field;

BTW, the Official Seating Capacity at Citi Field, is 41,800, or 15,700 fewer seats than Shea Stadium;

Pez

Not Really Home Field Advantage For The Mets

Citi Field is a totally new experience for the Mets. Shea Stadium is nothing like Citi Field is, as balls hit in Citi Field, which would be Homers in Shea, might be long outs at Citi:

David Wright just tied the game, with a 3 Run Homer, over the #s of Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges, over the 364 Feet Sign in Deep Left Field;

1st Signature Mets Moment is 1st Mets Homer in Citi Field History & it's a 3 Run Homer, whereby chasing San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher, Walter Silva, from the Game. Score is 5-5;

Pez

The "Citi" Goes Official At 1910 Hrs

San Diego Padres at NY Mets in the 1st-Ever Regular Season MLB Game at Citi Field is starting at 7:10PM tonight:

Tom Seaver will toss the 1st Ever Regular Season 1st Ball to Mike Piazza. They did the "Last Pitch At Shea Stadium";

Why a Night Game? San Diego went from West to East to play this, so there's a Night Beginning to all of this at Citi Field;

To History!

Pez

More "Citi" Videos

Tito Francona Jr was right-Shea Stadiun was a dump:

Pez

To The "Buckner" Chanter Of Citi Field In 537 In Promenade Reserved

Watsamatta? Did ya leave your A-Rod, Jeter or Clemens Jersey at home?

In '06 at Shea Stadium, the chant of "Gay-Rod...Jeter's Boyfriend" was all the rage;

BTW, just how many World Championships have the Mets won, under Full Wilpon Control?

Pez

Citi Field Has Quirky Dimensions-I Like That

Left Field is 335, Left Center Alley is 364, Left Near Center is 379, Center is 408, Right Near Center by the Bullpen is 415, Right Center is 383 and Right Field is 330. The Walls are 18 Feet High. Balls that were Shea Stadium Home Runs, tend to be either long outs, or Doubles, unless Oliver Perez is the Mets Starting Pitcher(Which isn't saying much):

Scoreboards are nice and Big, just like Shea Stadium;

The Mets have a Fan Fest Area with a Wiffle Ball Field, a replica of Citi Field with wall dimensions on the Mini Wall of the Diamond, in Right Field. Circulation around Citi Field is excellent. One of the quirks is the Pepsi Porch, which hangs over Right Field, perhaps a tribute to Old Tiger Stadium;

The Jackie Robinson Rotunda and the Ballpark exterior are a tribute to Ebbets Field;

Field Dimensions are a tribute to Shea Stadium, The Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field;

Freddie? Jeffy? You got a nice place;

Pez

Jeb Lowrie Makes History

Grand Slam Homer at Citi Field, the 1st, Abeit Unofficial MLB Homer is by The Red Sox SS:

Ollie Perez STILL SUCKS. Figueroa, from Coney Island, is out of the Mets 'Pen;

6-0 Red Sox, top of 1st;

Pez

Like A Family Gathering At Citi Field

This, definetly, was not a gathering at "The Clone" in The Bronx:

Mets and Red Sox Fans enjoyed each other's company. There were no fights;

Both Fan Bases DESPISE the Yankees and their Fans, and then some;

T'was A Great Night, meeting Joe Miller(Native Of County Bronx) and Ken Mc Loughlin on MLB Opening Evening at Citi Field. Both are Mets Fans(& Brother K of C Men). Neither likes Jeter, nor A-Roid;

I shot about 35 Minutes worth Of Videos-enjoy them;

Pez;

PS-now that he's 40, past his prime and Doc Gooden's Nephew, Gary Sheffield is now a Met. Who next, Omar(Jeffy?), A-Jerk at 46 Years Old?

"Thommies" In The "Citi" Assessing Citi Field

John Quinn, Kim Rossi, Adam, Chris Carrera and Chris Wertz(Governor Of Red Sox Nation-NY), who arrived with his wife, who wore a "Wright-eous" #5 Mets Jersey. Chris Carrera wore Mets Gear. Adam wore a Sox Jersey. JB Quinn was in Red Sox Cap and bundled up(He being an Old Shea Stadium Veteran, he knows how cold the Ballpark by Flushing Bay can be):

5 Red Sox Bloggers were seated in Promenade Reserved in Left Field in Section 536. 5 "Thommies" were seated in Row 9, while I was in Row 2, Seat #9;

Chris Carrera, who I've Seen at Shea Stadium, assessed that Citi Field Seating tries to bring the fans too close to the action, as our Left Field View was obscured. Adam concurred;

Promenade Reserved is about the Height of Shea Stadium's Old Mezzanine;

Still a Cool Park to me, but Adam and Chris Carrera, were right in their assessments;

Mychal(Pez)

Due To Rain, Cold, And Such, It Was An Early Wrap Up At Citi Field

This was Classical Shea Stadium Style COLD. The warmest spots there were the Bathrooms, which are much-roomier than the ones at Shea Stadium(No Wonder The Jets left that place) and the Team Stores, which were toasty Warm. Hot Chocolate, an Old Shea Stadium Favorite, was sold:

I saw the Fan Walk in front of Citi Field, where names were put on Plaza Bricks and added to the Plaza. It's a nice touch to the new place, as well as the trees and shrubs;

Another Video from the Producer-Director, Cecil B. De Pez-Enjoy;

Pez

1st Rain Delay At Citi Field

It was a Super Soaker. Then again, the way the Weather Channel made it out to be all day, it was if there was going to be no Opening Night at Citi Field:

Enjoy a short video from "Cecil B. De Pez";

Pez

Lively Place That "Citi"-Another Video

The Legendary "Cowbell Man" of Shea Stadium, was back in form at Citi Field and was heard throughout the New Ballpark. The Sound System is improved over Shea Stadium:

Enjoy another "Cecil B. De Pez" mini-movie, called "Little Manny Impersonates The '08 Mets Bullpen", where Manny Del Carmen, sort of, relieves Jon Lester, by doing an "Aaron Heilman" Impersonation. It was the 5th Inning when the Mets took a 3-1 Lead, before the 1st Citi Field Rain Delay, in the Top of the 6th Inning;

Pez

More Citi Video

Enjoy!

Pez;

It's Almost 6PM-EDT-1st Ceremonies At Citi Field

Like The Informality of Fenway Park, Citi can be rather relaxing, not domineering like the Clone(Toilet III) in The Bronx, where everything is so formal and phony. For example, the Team at the Clone at East 161st Street between Jerome and River Avenues, made all their fans sit in their assigned seats for infield and Batting Practice on Thursday:

I guess that Yankee Fans get their sneering superiority from the Utter Pompousness of both Their Stadium and its' atmosphere;

Enjoy the Latest Video. While Baseball Hall Of Famer Reggie Jackson threw out the 1st Pitch at The Clone, Mets Fan Gina Fazzio, who won a W F A N Contest, on "Boomer And Carton" on Friday Morning, threw out the 1st Ball. I've always appreciated the Informal Touch the Mets have with their fans;

Pez of Red Sox Nation-NY

Citi-In The Beginning, Jeffy Created-1st Impressions

Whoa! Nice Ballpark!

Fans waited for the Gates to open and the 1st Gate to open was the Left Field Gate. Red Sox and Mets Fans milled around the Main Entrance, awaiting entrance to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, complete with Terrazzo Floor, just like it was at the Long-Departed Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. When informed that entrance was to be at the Left Field Gate, a Mets Fan remarked that since Jeffy runs the Mets, Jeffy is both an a--hole and retard;

It's a nice place, both outside of Citi Field AND INSIDE, as well. I got up to Field Level. The Sight was AWESOME, and a TREMENDOUS Upgrade over the Now-Departed Shea Stadium, which is now being turned into the Citi Field Parking Lot. I ran into my 1st Red Sox Fan of the day from a well known Red Sox Themed Bar at 219 2nd Avenue, in the East Village:

The Lieutenant Governor of Red Sox Nation-NY and Purveyor of All Things Trivial, the "Omnipotent" John Brian Quinn, who lives about 10 Minutes by B M T Brighton Line "Q" Train, from the Site of Ebbets Field, at Bedford Avenue and Sullivan Place, was present. I met with him, then proceded to turn my cell phone into my Video Camera. Red Sox Pitchers were on the field, in Left Field:

Video and Picture to follow. Commentary, abeit rambling, in the manner of Tim Mc Carver, is my own;

Enjoy!

Pez

Red Sox Nation Test Invasion of Citi Field In Corona, Queens

This will be the 1st "Nation Invasion" of NYC this year, only it's to Corona in Queens and not "Toilet III" in The Bronx. Jon Lester gets the start for The Red Sox and Livan Hernandez goes on the mound for the Mets. 1st Ever Major League Pitch should be at 6:12PM-EDT, and the 1st Major League Batter should be Jacoby Elsbury. N E S N Coverage begins with Pre-Game at 5:30PM, EDT. S N Y Coverage should be starting around the same time. I hope that Jerry Remy brings Wally to Citi Field, Deck Chair and All:

Just so it isn't a shock to you, Shea Stadium, as Ralph Kiner would say, is "Gone, Good Bye;

Unlike Shea Stadium, this is an attempt to recreate some ballparks of Yesteryear in NYC, for the Outside looks like a Bigger Version of Ebbets Field(Crown Heights, Brooklyn), which in Ebbets Field's Timeline, was only about 32K Seats, not unlike Fenway Park, in Boston's Kenmore Area;

The New Citi Field, like its' Spiritual Predecessor, Ebbets Field, will have a huge Rotunda, with Terrazzo and Marble Floor. Like both Ebbets Field and Fenway Park, it'll have a feeling for intimacy;

Unlike Fenway Park and Ebbets Field, there are no really nearby eateries or watering holes. You'll have to jump on the MTA #7 Train to find some place to wet one's whistle, or dine;

Transportation Directions for MA and RI Residents: In Boston, either use South Station or Back Bay for Amtrak to Penn Station. At Penn Station-NY, take #s 1,2, or 3 Train to Times Square and change for #7 Flushing Line to Mets-Willets Point Fare is $2;

For those in Providence or Kingston or Waverly, RI, Amtrak to NY Penn Station, ditto directions above;

CT Residents-via Metro North to Grand Central Terminal, and take #7 Subway Line to Mets-Willets Point;

MA and RI Residents going to Penn Station might want to consider the L I R R Port Washington Line, taking train from Penn Station to Mets-Willets Point. It's also much-quicker;

Mass. Residents coming by Bus to Port Authority-NYC, can grab the #7 Line to Mets-Willets Point. Those coming via Chinatown Bus, can take either the B Line at Grand Street, to 42nd Street-6th Avenue and change for #7 Flushing Line, or the #6 Train at Canal Street, by Lafayette Street and change at Grand Central Station for #7 Train;

Me? I'll be taking the Q53 Bus to 61st Street-Woodside and getting on the #7 Flushing Express, for Mets-Willets Point;

Enjoy The Test Invasion-Citi Field Will be a NICE Experience;

Mychal(AKA Pez)

PS: Post-Production was done on a Mac @ Professor Thom's, with permission granted by Chris Wertz.

The Omega And Alpha

In my last-ever game at Shea Stadium, it was a sentimental journey over time, beginning in September, 1966 & ending on August 11th, 2008, @ the last-ever weekday day game. It should be noted that while Pedro Martinez pitched a nice game, the bullpen ruined the day, as I will refer to that 'pen, as the one JEFFY assembled, to get even with both Willie Randolph & Willie's Agent. BTW, Jeffy Wilpon heard it but good from me, at the end of that game wih the Pirates. JEFFY shall here it again from me, on Friday Evening:

For me, that final Shea Stadium Game Ever, was marked with tears, as I was on the ramp, from Upper Level, heading towards Gate D, which is now part of the new Citi Field Parking Lot. I burst into tears, remembering my departed folks, from both my 1st Ever Game(Dad in Loge), & 1st Day Game(Mom in Mezzanine, during the filming of the Triple Play Scene, for the movie version of ''The Odd Couple'', starring Walter Matthau & Jack Lemmon). Just like that 1st and Last Ever Day Games @ Shea Stadium, the Mets played the Pirates;

Now on Friday Evening, @ 6:10PM, @ Citi Field in Corona, Queens, a new era is dawning. The 1st Major League Baseball Game, abeit a pre-season game, will take place, as the NY Mets will host the Boston Red Sox. This will be most-unusual for any veteran of Shea Stadium, to be watching the Mets in a new home ballpark. It should be interesting;

However, I shall be rooting for the Red Sox, in Corona, Queens, not far from the Ice King of Corona. It's time for me to put Shea Stadium behind me, as new memories are waiting to be made, in a new place, evoking memories of Ebbets Field, with its' mighty Rotunda, now named for a man, who brought a new standard of excellence to Baseball, & who I saw in the distress of serious illness, at the Gil Hodges Wake in 1972:

That man in question, is Jackie Roosevelt Robinson;

It'll be an emotional evening;

BTW, The FOX Sports-K of C Free Throw Mocku-mentaries, are a thing of the past. They're no longer being written;

As I watched a replay of the 1st Mets Yankees Game, from 06/16/97:, I realize just what a talented commentator-play by play man, James Timothy Mc Carver, truly is;

It's Buck who brings out the Worst in Ol' Tim;

Mychal