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I Feel So Innocent In This Whole Debacle

My friend Paul (the only person who will get the title of this posting) asked me the other day if I had any interest in going to see a Mets game this week in Washington D.C.

I politely declined. Monday, I was glad I did.

It's good to know that I'm not the cause of whatever is presently ailing the Mets, unlike in previous seasons.

I was at the Thursday/Friday losses in the final week of 2007
I was at Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS
I was at the Armando Benitez blown save against the Braves in late September, 2001
I was at Game 5 of the 2000 World Series
I was at the Rickey Henderson game-ending DP in Philadelphia the next-to-last weekend in 1999
I was at the Mike Scioscia home run game, Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS
I was at the recently mentioned Terry Pendleton HR game in 1987
I was at the Cesar Cedeno HR game in 1985
I was at the Banner Day doubleheader loss to the Cubs in 1984

But I'm proud to say that I was not at either of the giveaway games that took place at Shea this past weekend (I'm talking losses, not freebies). And while my overall attendance at Mets games this season has resulted in what I believe is a sub-.500 record, I know that I am not to blame for what is to happen.

(Editors Note: Not yet, anyway...sad fan that I am, I may go to a game in the Cubs series)

Instead, I blame the bad karma created by the Mets Shea Stadium sale.

I presume by now that you've seen the list of items that are being plucked from the walls of Shea Stadium. If you haven't, visit Loge13.com. He has the full list posted.

I can understand selling the foul pole and the lockers. Whatever financial institutions are left standing can put those on display in their corporate offices.

But I don't understand the selling of the championship flags, among other things. Couldn't they hoist those up in the new ballpark? Couldn't they display them in the Team Museum/Hall of Fame. Don't they need the three pitching rubbers they've put up for sale?

The Mets must be planning to give Pedro Martinez a two-year contract. Otherwise, why would they need the money that they may get from the sales of

- a used big-screen TV
- The signs from concession stands, the men's room doors, and emergency exits
- Mustard containers and napkin holders

I am all for collectibles and memorabilia and have a nice stash of neat and unusual items, which I've described in this space previously. But this is a situation in which the Mets are taking advantage of an industry known for its ridiculousness. At least with the seat sale, the money is going to charity. If there's any financial beneficiaries of this sale, other than the Wilpons, they might want to acknowledge that publicly. Maybe I've been asleep on this, but I'm not aware of it.

I'm someone with enough disposable income that I can spend a few hundred dollars on something without it causing too much worry, and I would have been willing to purchase something had the cost been more reasonable. But when you tell me it's going to cost $750 to get the sign that points to the section in which I have my Saturday ticket plan, that's absurd. And, oh by the way, I can only get that $750 sign if it survives those who pay $10,000 and up to be part of the Premier Club (I was offered an invite into someone's buying group, but won't be taking them up on it).

The Mets are 1-3 since they announced this sale, and their NL East lead has shrunk to 1/2 a game. They looked flatter on Monday than they have at any point all season. In fact, the best way to describe it: They looked like a team that just wasn't worth the money.

Comments

czaradio said…
When I saw the title of this post pop up in my RSS reader, I did a double-take. Completely freaked me out for a second. Viva Claire.

One point you failed to consider - I am 4-0 at games this year, and we have not attended a game together yet. Would my undefeatedness karma balance out your "debacle" of a record for this year?

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