2008 New York Mets

Fighting Hellfish

rhinomagic wrote:

Yeah, I'm excited they're building it.

Oddly though, I live in Florida and have never been to Shea. Can't decide whether I should try to go this year just to say I've been. If not this year, I'd definitely go next year to see the new stadium in-play.

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Full disclosure, I'm a yankee fan if you didn't already know. But I don't think Shea is a "must see before it closes" type of stadium. I've been to about 6 baseball stadiums and I think Shea is one of the worst, with just the old Vets in philly being worse. It seems like everywhere you sit, you're facing centerfield. You have to sit at an angle to see the pitchers mound and home plate. That gets old after a few hours. If you're like me, and have a bad back and a really bad neck, then it's misery. If you want to go just to see your favorite team play in their last year in the stadium, then by all means, go. But I don't think you'll be kicking yourself when the wrecking ball hits if you never went there.

rhinomagic

Fighting Hellfish wrote:

Full disclosure, I'm a yankee fan if you didn't already know. But I don't think Shea is a "must see before it closes" type of stadium. I've been to about 6 baseball stadiums and I think Shea is one of the worst, with just the old Vets in philly being worse. It seems like everywhere you sit, you're facing centerfield. You have to sit at an angle to see the pitchers mound and home plate. That gets old after a few hours. If you're like me, and have a bad back and a really bad neck, then it's misery. If you want to go just to see your favorite team play in their last year in the stadium, then by all means, go. But I don't think you'll be kicking yourself when the wrecking ball hits if you never went there.

You're a Yankees fan?!? :eek: Just kiddin'.

I understand what you're saying. I don't think the trip up to Shea would be so that I could marvel in the excellence of its architecture and its glory as a temple of baseball. I've read lots about the Mets' and Shea's history and I know it ain't the classiest ballpark ever built. The trip would be much more for my personal nostalgia as a Mets fan for the last 23 seasons. I just feel like I might owe it to myself to see the place where my childhood heroes used to play.

Plus we would try like hell to make it to Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park(wife is a Red Sox fan) on the same trip. One silly goal we have since getting married a little over a year ago is to visit each of the major league parks together. We've already got Miami, Tampa, and Atlanta--as they are the 'local' ones to us in north Florida. Before we got married, I had also been to Pittsburgh and Phoenix; she has seen Cleveland and Yankee Stadium before. We've been to a bunch of Grapefruit League parks, as well. Anyways, point is that we're ready to start chipping away at the goal and figured we'd start with our favorite teams.

BTW...Welcome to the team (officially), Johan.

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Fighting Hellfish

I'd like to hit every ballpark also. Number one on my list is actually the Pirates stadium. So far I've been to yankee Stadium, Shea, Vets in Philly, Skydome, and the old Busch Stadium in St, Louis.

PJSerf

Good thing MLB doesn't have a code of conduct like the NFL... Actually suspending Pedro might help you guys.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/02/06/pedro.marichal.cockfighting.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Sorry, lets get to the start of the season! NL East race should be a good one again.

intodeep

PJSerf wrote:

Good thing MLB doesn't have a code of conduct like the NFL... Actually suspending Pedro might help you guys.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/02/06/pedro.marichal.cockfighting.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Sorry, lets get to the start of the season! NL East race should be a good one again.

I heard about this today as well. I went to look for the video on Youtube but it has been removed.

Where Pedro is from this is an accepted practice. It is legal. He did nothing wrong. Morally or Ethically you may not agree, but that does not make him a criminal.

rhinomagic

PJSerf wrote:

Good thing MLB doesn't have a code of conduct like the NFL... Actually suspending Pedro might help you guys.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/02/06/pedro.marichal.cockfighting.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Sorry, lets get to the start of the season! NL East race should be a good one again.

You could go the route of calling it a cultural practice, but then what do you do with Michael Vick? Someone could claim he was observing a cultural practice in dogfighting.

The key difference is that cockfighting is legal in the Dominican Republic. It's actually pretty common in lots of Carribbean and East Indian countries. That's what exonerates Pedro. No harm here.

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PJSerf

rhinomagic wrote:

You could go the route of calling it a cultural practice, but then what do you do with Michael Vick? Someone could claim he was observing a cultural practice in dogfighting.

The key difference is that cockfighting is legal in the Dominican Republic. It's actually pretty common in lots of Carribbean and East Indian countries. That's what exonerates Pedro. No harm here.

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I understand that, and agree that it is different from Vick. However, that won't stop PETA from making a stink about it.

yosi1

Fighting Hellfish wrote:

I'd like to hit every ballpark also. Number one on my list is actually the Pirates stadium. So far I've been to yankee Stadium, Shea, Vets in Philly, Skydome, and the old Busch Stadium in St, Louis.

I've been to Yankee, Shea, Fenway (although not for a game), Vets, Dodger Stadium, and Camden Yards. Camden Yards was easily the nicest.

Fighting Hellfish

Check this out. With a 5:00 deadline, Johan walked out of negotiations at 4:55

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/02/07/verducci.santana/index.html

yosi1

Fighting Hellfish wrote:

Check this out. With a 5:00 deadline, Johan walked out of negotiations at 4:55

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/02/07/verducci.santana/index.html

Yea, I read that. Don't know what to make of it.

rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

Yea, I read that. Don't know what to make of it.

I'll tell you what to make of it: Santana is one determined and competitive individual. He knew what he was worth and wouldn't budge until the Mets were able to satisfy his requests.

I firmly believe he will bring that same approach to pitching for the Mets and striving for excellence in his performance over the next several years.

Of course, there's also a fine line between self-confidence and inflated ego...

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rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

Rhino, I've been talking to Metsy and he's definitely in too. I think when you figure out what works best for you we should definitely make a post about a Mets fan/PJ fan meet up at a game, and maybe go out afterwards.

The rumors of Pearl Jam playing in NYC this summer are growing stronger. This just about seals the deal on my wife and me coming to New York to see the Mets, Yanks, and PJ.

If the July 1 date holds true, we could come for several days and see the Subway Series at Shea and a Rangers/Yankees game as well. Would you, Metsy, and other Mets/PJ fans be down for Subway Series weekend hook-up?

Pitchers and catchers report soon!

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xavier mcdaniel

rhinomagic wrote:

The rumors of Pearl Jam playing in NYC this summer are growing stronger. This just about seals the deal on my wife and me coming to New York to see the Mets, Yanks, and PJ.

If the July 1 date holds true, we could come for several days and see the Subway Series at Shea and a Rangers/Yankees game as well. Would you, Metsy, and other Mets/PJ fans be down for Subway Series weekend hook-up?

Pitchers and catchers report soon!

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better make sure you register for the right to buy tickets.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ticketing/tixop_season08_form.jsp

rhinomagic

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

better make sure you register for the right to buy tickets.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ticketing/tixop_season08_form.jsp

Thanks, X-Man.

Registration submitted.

Let's Go Mets!

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Fighting Hellfish

yeah, that's a tough ticket to get. At least from the original ticketseller. You can always get a ticket on ebay or stubhub, but it'll be a pretty penny.

Fighting Hellfish

Potentially good pickup for the Mets. Tony Armas Jr. He hasn't done much lately, but it's worth the risk. he was a very promising pitcher way back when. He'll be 30 in April

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmets0212,0,2559518.story

yosi1

rhinomagic wrote:

The rumors of Pearl Jam playing in NYC this summer are growing stronger. This just about seals the deal on my wife and me coming to New York to see the Mets, Yanks, and PJ.

If the July 1 date holds true, we could come for several days and see the Subway Series at Shea and a Rangers/Yankees game as well. Would you, Metsy, and other Mets/PJ fans be down for Subway Series weekend hook-up?

Pitchers and catchers report soon!

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Hell yes I would. I guess I need to register to buy tickets too! I'll pm Metsy and see what he thinks.

Side note, where did you hear about PJ in NYC around July 1st, I haven't heard that yet.

I read that most pitchers, Schneider and David Wright are already there!

rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

Hell yes I would. I guess I need to register to buy tickets too! I'll pm Metsy and see what he thinks.

Side note, where did you hear about PJ in NYC around July 1st, I haven't heard that yet.

I read that most pitchers, Schneider and David Wright are already there!

July 1 is the supposed date of the Robin Hood benefit. Search The Porch for 'robin hood' and you'll probably find the thread. There's also talk in NYPJ1's thread about NYC in June or July...

No matter. If the date(s) is close to June 27-29, we will jump at the chance to combine PJ and the Subway Series. I understand Hellfish's point, but I tend to have a certain luck for getting tough tickets to events and not having to pay a king's ransom to do it. I'm optimistic we can make this happen, provided PJ makes good on their end.

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yosi1

rhinomagic wrote:

I'm optimistic we can make this happen, provided PJ makes good on their end.

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Yea, I just read NY PJ1's thread. And yes, Pearl Jam needs to not let us down .

Um, in terms of buying tickets, if someone here "wins" that registration thing, and tickets are cheaper that way, it might just be best for that person to pick up tickets for everyone and be paid back, then trying to get tickets through stubhub.

rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

Um, in terms of buying tickets, if someone here "wins" that registration thing, and tickets are cheaper that way, it might just be best for that person to pick up tickets for everyone and be paid back, then trying to get tickets through stubhub.

I had the same thought. I'd be willing to buy the max (6, I think) if I win the right to purchase.

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yosi1

rhinomagic wrote:

I had the same thought. I'd be willing to buy the max (6, I think) if I win the right to purchase.

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Me too. And Metsy is down.

rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

Me too. And Metsy is down.

word :cool:

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rhinomagic

As corny as it is, I'm glad to know this won't die with Shea Stadium:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/02/12/2008-02-12_home_run_apple_will_follow_mets_to_new_c.html?ref=rss

Viva Los Mets!

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yosi1

No who doesn't love this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metsblog/2268597155/sizes/o/in/set-72157603918335122/

Spring training makes me happy!

kenshunt

Baseball is just around the corner, let the snooze feast begin.

rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

No who doesn't love this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metsblog/2268597155/sizes/o/in/set-72157603918335122/

Spring training makes me happy!

Read this.

My favorite part:

Pedro Martinez was a hit his first day in Mets camp, first saying that he's feeling better than at any time since late in 1998, next finally admitting he's the prima donna he's been accused of being, then proclaiming, "I dominated that era ... and I did it clean!''

Martinez explained that since he is blessed with a small frame, he has to be a prima donna to protect himself. He has always been on his own program, and it's hard to argue with it, whatever it is.

The subject of Roger Clemens came up, and while Martinez didn't comment on Clemens, he did colorfully state that he favors ramped-up testing. "We have to go to the restroom and pee ... to be honest with you. I wish they could check every day."

Martinez said he never took performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, he said, "All I could take were two Advils, a cup of coffee, a mango and an egg.'' Now there's a recipe for success few could repeat.


Looks like Petey is back in fine form. Makes me grin

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yosi1

rhinomagic wrote:

Read this.

My favorite part:

Pedro Martinez was a hit his first day in Mets camp, first saying that he's feeling better than at any time since late in 1998, next finally admitting he's the prima donna he's been accused of being, then proclaiming, "I dominated that era ... and I did it clean!''

Martinez explained that since he is blessed with a small frame, he has to be a prima donna to protect himself. He has always been on his own program, and it's hard to argue with it, whatever it is.

The subject of Roger Clemens came up, and while Martinez didn't comment on Clemens, he did colorfully state that he favors ramped-up testing. "We have to go to the restroom and pee ... to be honest with you. I wish they could check every day."

Martinez said he never took performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, he said, "All I could take were two Advils, a cup of coffee, a mango and an egg.'' Now there's a recipe for success few could repeat.


Looks like Petey is back in fine form. Makes me grin

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Me too.

If this picture doesn't make you excited as a Mets fan, nothing will

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metsblog/2268648481/sizes/o/in/set-72157603918335122/

rhinomagic

yosi wrote:

Me too.

If this picture doesn't make you excited as a Mets fan, nothing will

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metsblog/2268648481/sizes/o/in/set-72157603918335122/

Thanks for sharing! This should be a very fun year for us.

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jamminpearls

rhinomagic wrote:

Thanks for sharing! This should be a very fun year for us.

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yeah a fun yr taking 2nd in the east again

yosi1

jamminpearls wrote:

yeah a fun yr taking 2nd in the east again

Yea right. Go back to your Philly thread ya jerk.

rhinomagic wrote:

Thanks for sharing! This should be a very fun year for us.

Yea, if you haven't seen it there is this awesome blog, aptly named http://www.Metsblog.com, which actually has a contract with SNY so there is tons of information and stuff about the Mets over there. You should definitely check it out.