Citi Field – New Friends

Going to the Mets Game: On Friday evening, September 9, 2011, I headed to Citi Field to meet Barry, Cathy and their son Matt and to see the Mets beat the Cubs. I’m taking the train from Long Island. I’m thinking I’ll get off the LIRR at Woodside, walk upstairs where I can transfer to the 7 and make my way to Shea. However, I’ve got some gifts for some friends back in California that I want to mail out. I’ve put the packages together and decide to take the train into the city and send them from the Moynihan Post Office at 7^th & 33^rd. I find my way there and boldly walk up this massive row of steps. After taking a breath break, I marched triumphantly into the facility and stood on what was a surprisingly short line. With two customers to be called ahead of me I reached into my back pack to pull out my packages when I suddenly realized I had left them on Cousin Sylvia’s kitchen table. I closed my eyes briefly, let out a sigh, and to the sound of my sister Nancy’s “way to go, bro” dancing in my imagination, I walk dejectedly out of the post office. It sure was good to get that chore out-of-the-way.

You Forget A Few Things in Twenty Years: It’s time to get to the game. No problem. I’ll just cross the street back to Penn Station, find the 7 and go to Shea. All I have to do is find the 7. After a solid fifteen minutes of intensive searching for it I finally throw in the towel and ask for help. A transit official has a difficult time telling me with a straight face that the 7 doesn’t stop here. “Didn’t it stop here in the past,” I asked innocently? By now the cop standing next to the transit official has tuned in to my inquiry and he too is suppressing a laugh at the sight of a Mets fan in full regalia who didn’t know how to get to his team’s ballpark. They looked at each other like who’s this nut in front of us as the transit official said “no.” After a few awkward moments they give me detailed directions and I’m on my way.

Riding the Shuttle: I caught the 2 and rode it to 42^nd Street where I can now catch the Shuttle to Times Square. OK. I’m finding the Shuttle. No problem? How hard can it be to find the shuttle? It’s easy when you know where it is, but I don’t and now it’s beginning to feel like a BIG problem. There doesn’t appear to be a shuttle. Where did it go? I used to be able to find it. Off to another transit official who directed me to the Shuttle. I get on it and am finally ready to find the 7.

Hold that 7! Aha! There it is! I’ve found the 7! And what’s more, I actually got on it! Ha! No Out of Towner me! Now I’ve got the right stuff. I’ll show these New Yorkers how to get to the Mets game! So with a sense of accomplishment I sat down and promptly rode the 7 train… in the wrong direction! Puzzled, I get off and look for someone who I know will help me, a Mets fan. I find some guy in Mets attire and ask if he’s on his way to the game, and he said yes, so I got on his 7 instead of mine. So on the 7 train we‘re cruising out to Shea when we stop at Woodside. It was then that I realized my fruitless detour to the post office took an hour and twenty minutes! OK. Off to the ballpark.

Meeting Barry: I met Barry at the designated spot, the Big Apple just outside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. For those of you who follow my postings you know he is one of the two gentlemen who gift us with the Mets Musings podcast on a weekly basis. Thanks for Facebook we instantly recognized each other. We greeted each other warmly and after a few moments headed into the ball park. Barry explained that his wife Cathy and son Matt were already inside and we would join them shortly. We slowly made our way through what for me is still unfamiliar ground. I was surprised when Barry told me that he has only been here on seven other occasions and that he too is learning the new yard. We found our way to the upper deck where I met Cathy and Matt, who were already settled in their seats. After a few moments of greeting and conversation we split up for dinner. Barry and I went to one of the restaurants while Cathy and Matt went to one of the vendors on the concourse. We had a nice dinner which we ate while watching the first inning of the game on a large monitor in the restaurant.

Now pitching for the Mets: You never know what you’re going to get with Mike Pelfrey. The tall right hander can pitch a gem, and I have read about them in the papers. However, every time I see him on the mound it always turns into a horror story. I’m glad that I’m watching the game with Barry, who has more insights into the team in general and Mike Pelfrey in particular. What to expect? More strikes than balls? Yes, but not by a significant amount. Did I think the Cubs would score some runs? You know it. Would Mr. Pelfrey get behind on the count frequently? Yep. Would there be a parade of Cubbies on the base paths? Is the Pope German?

Cubs Take The Lead: Things were going along more or less okay until the top of the third, when with two outs Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez doubled. This set the table for first baseman Carlos Pena, who did not disappoint the several hundred Cubs supporters who were sprinkled around the stadium. Pena launched a Pelfrey offering halfway into next week, and the Cubs took a 2 run lead. Matt is thrilled, of course, with this unfolding of events. Cubs 2, Mets 0.

Matt: I have to say a few words about my young friend. In between pitches, paying minimal attention to my score card, and mostly watching the game, we start talking. He’s a high school junior and looking at colleges that will prepare him for a meaningful career that is well-defined at a young age. My new friend is going to be a pilot. It’s fun seeing his excitement, too! As the planes make their way past Shea heading into LaGuardia he can tell you the Airline, its hub, the type of plane and add in an editorial remark all without taking a breath. Wow! He’s all for the Cubs,  but at a young age can step back, be dispassionate and hang out with a Mets fan many years his senior, and still enjoy himself. Matt, for a young man intent on having a career in the air you are exceptionally well grounded. Aim for the stars!

Barry: Among the many things I like about Barry is that he’s totally cool with Matt’s choice to root for the Cubs. A lot of Dads would have a hissy fit big time over this, but not him. After months of only talking to Barry on the phone, or listening to him (and Gary) on the Mets Musings podcast, I’m getting to know him. He’s cool. His manner is a lot like his speech, leisurely, easy to know and accepting. Way to go Barry!

Cubs Extend Their Lead: Well, if I was expecting Pelfrey to permit runners on the bases and to enable runs to score, I was not disappointed. In the top of the fourth Cubs Marlon Byrd singled to left field. He was followed by right fielder Bryan LaHair, who promptly launched a triple to right field which enabled Byrd to score the Cubs third run. Cubs 3, Mets 0.

Mets Tie It Up: We got a taste of the Mets ability to score runs when in the bottom of the fourth inning seven hitters cobbled together four hits with several productive outs to put three runs up on the score board. While I’m on the subject I have to say that this year’s edition of the Metsies knows how to score. For me, it’s different seeing your players live when compared to watching them on TV or on your computer, as I often do courtesy of MLB.TV. At the ball park, you really get a feel for a player’s size, height and weight. You see them, not them on a screen. I like what I’m seeing, too. Lucas Duda looks like he’s for real, a strong guy with a classic swing and home run power. Justin Turner likes to hack. Jason Bay has been hitting a bit lately and he looks ok, too. Cubs 3, Mets 3.

Mets Take The Lead! Jose Reyes and Justin Turner hit successive doubles and Reyes scampers home with another run for the Metsies. I’ve seen Reyes a lot at AT&T Park in San Francisco. He won a game for us that I watched with Jeff and Hector (AKA, Champ), two Bay Area friends. We all know what Reyes can do when he’s healthy. For a recent example, just review the first half of this season when at the top of his game and enjoying the best of health he was easily the National League’s Most Valuable Player. It’s fun seeing him race around the bases like a rocket. Mets 4, Cubs 3.

Still Pitching for the Mets: Mike Pelfrey pitched 6⅔ innings. Barry mentioned that he pitched ok. I haven’t seen Pelfrey pitch that much but I couldn’t help but notice how often he got behind the hitters. I would have preferred more strikes, too. However, as baseball definitions go, it was a “quality start,” which occurs whenever a pitcher completes six innings and surrenders three runs or less. After Pelfrey, we see the following Mets pitchers: Stinson (⅔ inning), Tim Byrdak (⅓ inning) and Bobby Parnell (⅓ inning). All are effective and do not permits the Cubs to score.

Cathy: As the game unfolds we play musical chairs, which gave me a chance to talk with everyone. My talk with Cathy reveals that she’s a Long Island person. She graduated from Massapequa High, which isn’t too far from my alma mater, Half Hollow Hills. She’s not a big baseball fan, but I can tell that she has more Met in her than Yankee, which counts big time here at Team Grubby.

Carvel: One description of our new yard is “a great food court in search of a good baseball team.” I don’t know if I agree with all that, but I do know there is a Carvel stand not too far away, so Matt and I find our way to it. With monitors all over the place, we don’t lose track of the game during our expedition, which results in a refreshing treat.

The Cubs Tie It Up: Manny Acosta comes in to close down the game for the Mets. I saw him last week when he was effective against the Florida Marlins. Tonight, however, he doesn’t make it look easy and surrenders one run on a walk and two singles. Matt, who in case you don’t remember is a Cubs fan, is sitting next to me and sounds and looks like one very satisfied customer. I am convinced the Metropolitans are going to win the game in the bottom of the 9^th and I mentioned this to him. It just feels like we’re going to win. Mets 4, Cubs 4.

Bottom of the Ninth: This is it; winning time. After Nick Evans starts things off with a single to center field, Mets Manager Terry Collins removes him and inserts fleet-footed Jason Pridie as a pinch runner. Pridie is sacrificed to second, and next Jose Reyes is intentionally walked so the Cubs can pitch to Turner. A moment later, Turner makes the Cubs regret this decision by unleashing a mighty drive into deep center field. I watch the ball as it keeps going and going, easily carrying over Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd’s head. Mets 5, Cubs 4. We Win!

Thank You: Cathy, Barry, Matt, this was a great night. Thank you for taking me into your family. Matt, I’m sorry your team didn’t turn

up a winner, but what’s important is that you are a winner.  Thank you for friending me on Facebook. Next time, and there will be a next time, I’ll take you up on that offer to spring for the Carvel.