My friend Charlie gave me the bad news on Friday. The Met Season Ticket renewal plan came in the mail and he needs money before the end of January. 510 dollars. What a hit, right after the holidays. Charlie and I have been season ticket holders before Rey Ordonez was the hottest new shortstop. Ah yes, how a long for the days of Shea when I could hear Bob Murphy calling the play by play and I was able to sneak a half a case of Beer using potato chip bags and my inside pockets of my thin jacket.
Now I get my sun screen taken away.
And the Mets want 510 bucks-well at least they lowered it. Last year I had to shell out 525 clams to watch them get beat by the Phillies, Braves and Atlanta among other teams.
I got a month, a good month to decide and I will admit this, I’m on the fence, big time. I’m very happy with what the Mets have done so far. The front office moves are definitely in the right direction but I know that’s not going to win us a championship this year. I know it’s going to take time, the problem is, do I want to witness Year One of it in person.
I did it in the past, what’s the difference now?
I like to call it Guarded Wallet syndrome.
I don’t want a rotisserie team and I don’t want the Mets to make a “Omar Splash” just to get me to buy a ticket. I want to see some really smart moves that have potential. I have faith in Sandy and Co.
I just might have to pass on sitting in the mezzanine this year.
I might.
49 comments
Ceetar
12/1/2010-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
I’m going to ignore the ‘well you can just buy whatever seats you want on a game to game basis’ because that’s always an option and always was. a plan of seats seems to be your ‘first choice’ in purchasing options, so i’ll stick with that premise instead of talking about individual game purchases or real dirty outings.
You need to ask yourself if this ‘on the fence’ness is because it’s December and the grass isn’t green on the other side, it’s dormant and hiberanting. It’s winter. The baseballs are packed away and even pitchers haven’t really started revving up workouts to get ready. It’s over a month since baseball ended and it’s hard to remember how much you love it.
If this is the case, renew. You’ll be grateful when it’s April and you’re watching baseball again.
If you’re really thinking your not going to be interested in this team in 2011 (andto me this seems zany. I’d pay to watch Mets legends in David Wright and Jose Reyes even if there was _no one_ else. This team has always felt likeable to me, with maybe the exception of a couple of players here and there) then don’t renew.
Really it comes down to this question:
“Do you think you’ll want to be at Citi Field to see Jon Niese and the Mets face Tommy Hanson of the Braves?”
kingman 26
12/1/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Well, of course asking for so much so early is unrepentant greed—but just wait until they have their first good season at Citi—the “Personal Seat License” revolting criminality will most certainly be their next way to fleece customers in the palace dedicated to corporate greed known as Citi Field.
Citi is nice, and the Acela Club is simply amazing, but it does not have the feel of Shea. Not yet anyway.
I live too far and just am way too busy to even get a partial plan, but I can relate Will. Being asked to lay out all of that dough this early simply so the Wilpons can have some more dough to invest and earn interest on, this close to the end of another rotten year, is simply depressing.
And yes, I will be watching and go to at least my one annual game, but giving the folks like you an extra month or two to decide would have been a nice gesture after the last two years.
But mark my words—after the first 90-win/playoff year, it will be Personal Seat License time at Citi.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
I’m not sure PSLs are in the Mets future just yet. They’d have to sell out more regularly than one season of success for that, otherwise it just wouldn’t happen. And I think they’re shrewd enough to wait for the Yankees to do it and then just go along for the ride. A lot of it is “This is just the way sports is nowadays”
And they actually pushed back the deadline for renewals this year about a month I think., plus started working on a payment plan and give discounts on plan purchases, so that sorta stuff is at least throwing people a bone. They probably do have a little bit more leadway to work with, but by early February they send the orders off to the ‘special printer’ where they print up the tickets (teh season tickets are different than the daily ones) and package everything and mail it to you. And also they want to start selling individual games. It’s pretty standard business practice to try to sell the group/big sales before offering the individual stuff.
I love Citi Field, but it’s not Shea yet because they haven’t played meaningful games here yet. I miss Shea, but I also know how hassled and frustrated I was while in the place trying to do anything but sit and stare at the field (like bathrooms, eating, even walking around)
kingman 26
12/1/2010-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Well, good points all.
Citi is, aesthetically, miles ahead of Shea in all ways, and yes, the fact that both years of its existence have coincided with mediocre, uninspiring teams is what I am basing my thoughts on. Although the complete plastering of the place with corporate ads is a bit disappointing.
It is definitely true that the food, restroom facilities, parking, and overall seating, and general vibe are great. Walking around the entire stadium on the concourses is great too.
And again, for those who are so inclined, if you can get a chance to have a pregame meal in the Acela Club, it is awe-inspiring. Pay a few extra bucks and sit in the tiered seating by the windows—there are the tables you see up behind left field, indoor seating by several levels of huge windows, and outdoor seating too. Just an incredibly well-conceived club, and great food too. Fairly pricey, but absolutely worth it.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
It’s my goal this year to do so. There are actually fairly(proportionally) cheap seats that include access to the club nowadays. i walked in there once and looked around. nice.
pregame meal is definately what i’ll do though. as nice as it is, if i’m buying ‘better’ seats i want to sit in them during the game. Although the seats outside during the game might be fun.
kingman 26
12/1/2010-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
The Acela Club is awesome. Absolutely worth it. The outside seats are fun for a pregame meal and to watch batting practice, etc., but still are way far from the action.
What I have done each year is get there about 90 minutes+ before the game, sit by the windows inside, and then go to my seats right before gametime.
It is worth it to pay the extra like $10 a head to sit in the tiered seating by the windows or outside. Unique and awesome. And for a club in a stadium, the food is surprisingly good. Get the buffet. Great stuff.
Mr North Jersey
12/1/2010-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
I can’t think of 510 reasons Gonzo but I can think of 10 reasons.
http://realdirtymets.com/2010/10/07/10-things-to-look-forward-to-in-2011/
metsfan4decades
12/1/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
I was thinking the same thing about PSLs but Ceetar beat me to it.
Whichever team does this first (if they even do), I’m willing to bet the majority of the owners have to buy into that and follow suit. Otherwise, it’ll be business suicide to start charging that.
If I lived closer, if I was in the position to afford the opportunity, I’m sure I’d have a partial ticket plan. If I was retired and independently wealthy, I’m sure I’d have a full season plan. Given the fact that I’m none of these, I’ll be watching all games on SNY. But oh….to be at the field watching in person….even if I knew they were going nowhere in 2011 for sure, I’d probably still get the tickets.
I can certainly understand though why many will be hesitating. The economy being what it is I think is the first reason many will hesitate or decline.
metsfan4decades
12/1/2010-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
On another note…I’m reading FMart has mild arthritis of that knee.
He’s heading down the path of Beltran.
Speaking as someone who’s had this disease since my early 20s, that’s never going to be any better than it is now and as he ages, will just get worse.
I’m thinking it’s time to put the idea of FMart as one of our starting OFs for years to come behind us….
Ceetar
12/1/2010-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
There are still plenty of things he can do to stay healthy and not let it progress or get worse or inhibit him. they did suggest he needs to strengthen the knee. Speaks a lot to minor league conditioning in my eye.
I mean, he’s still a player and still seems he’ll be ready in Spring, and I’m not penciling him for anything, but any day could be the day he gets his body into form and shakes the injuries. It could just be a different conditioning regiment.
metsfan4decades
12/1/2010-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
I’ll agree about conditioning and such as a way to slow the effects of loss of cartilage. Wish I had paid more attention to such advise 30 years ago.
While there is no way to predict the progression of something like that, the fact that he’s an athlete and will be using his body, that knee, more so than an average individual usually means he’s headed down the path of it hampering him sooner rather than later.
Once you lose cartilage you’re basically screwed. They’re just coming out with new procedures to inject gel like substances in there to cushion it, which would be a miracle treatment, IMO. Maybe they’ll be making those advances common place in the next few years.
njstuckintx
12/1/2010-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I have a friend who actually gets those gel injections. get’s them every 6 months to a year. Not fun and nothing they can do, other than knee replacement. If they give him a bionic knee, is that considered a sports enhancement?
wannybackstra
12/1/2010-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
I don’t know what medicine Ceetar is practicing but arthritis is a degenerative condition. There’s no avoiding it. It’s just a question of how fast it progresses and whether Fernando will be able to play effectively through the pain. Most treatments are just temporary.
I have to bet against Fernando who can’t stay on the field anyway.
kingman 26
12/1/2010-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Agreed; adding youthful arthritis to his already impressive existing cocktail of injuries is shocking and depressing.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
yes but you get all sorts of ‘mild’ arthritis, especially from things like surgery and scar tissue no?
There are a lot of things from diet and exercise, that mitigate the symptoms. I don’t think Martinez is suffering from an extreme case where it hurts constantly and he can’t walk on it or anything like that.
stickguy
12/1/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
hopefully it is really minor. Maybe he can at least get as far into his career as Beltran before it all falls apart.
From the Met standpoint, that would be finally have a full, productive MiL season in 2011, hit the bigs in 2012, and be ready for FA by age 29 or so, when his knees are totally shot.
During that time, what happens to him will be heavily based on pain management and tollerance, and the quality of the training regimen he is put on (and whether he follows it).
All athletes have to live with aches and pains. Some much worse than others.
Look at what Beltran had to go through to get back, or a guy like Vlad. And plenty of guys through the years with no knees at all, where it probably hurt like hell just to walk.
I am not giving up on him yet, but he needs to rehab this, and go get lost (no hype, no attention) for a year in the minors to really learn how to utilize is talent, correct and flaws, etc. Basically start over and learn to play, as opposed to skating by on natural talent.
And collins needs to stop mentioning him as an option for ST to win a job!
wannybackstra
12/1/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Well and good, Ceetar, except that it is already affecting him.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
‘how much’ is it affecting him though? Actually, give me the details, I haven’t heard beyond the strengthening his knee. Is he continuing Winter Ball? I mean, we’re not talking about a “you have arthritis, you’re done as a baseball player” so what exactly is he doing? what’s the game plan for him? diet/exercise/strengthening so it’s not as painful when it is painful?
As this result is not damage, it’s more ‘how do you deal with this as a player’.
wannybackstra
12/1/2010-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
affecting him to the point that he had to stop playing.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
‘had to’ stop playing in a practice game he was just playing in for reps.
stickguy
12/1/2010-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
had to and wanted to is where the pain threshhold comes in for an athlete (like the old concept of hurt vs. injured).
And if nothing else, the Omar regime ingrained in him that if anything tweaked, twinged or felt funny, stop immediately and head to the doctors!
This case does sound like “it is what is is, so live with it” to some degree. So do your exercises, take the motrin, and live with it.
wannybackstra
12/1/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
C’mon, Ceetar. He’s a 22 year old kid that is never on the field and has now flown home from much needed “practice games” because he has enough pain in his knee — caused by a degenerative arthritic condition — to cause concern.
You some how don’t view this as concerning? Maybe he can play on one leg. Maybe he’ll be the first major leaguer to play after knee replacement. Maybe maybe maybe maybe maybe.
For all the maybes, one thing is likely — he will always always always be dealing with this issue. Always.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Yes. he’ll always likely have pain from arthritis.
but it doesn’t mean his career is over and he’ll never ever play OF on a regular basis.
TRS86
12/1/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Who said it did? But are you saying that we should not be concerned by it?
stickguy
12/1/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
There are really only 2 reasons to get season tickets. And 1 is minor.
The minor one is the convenience and familiarity of having your same seats. Assuming you like them, it becomes like home, especially if you are surrounded by other season people.
If you saw the movie “fever pitch” (that was the dumb one with Drew Bayyrmore an the guy who was obsessed with the Red Sox, right?) their section was like a family, together for years.
The major one of course is you are guaranteed playoff seats, at face value. And that is an even bigger issue at Citi, since it is way undersized for a playoff run.
so, if you don’t care about sitting wherever, and having to hustle around for tickets when you need them, save your money. And if you aren’t worried about getting shut out when the next unexpected 2006 happens, let them go.
Ceetar
12/1/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
Well, the 10% off the seats is nice no? and being able to buy more games with no fees?
If you’re going to go anyway.
If you’re going to have to sell/eat tickets out of the plan, then taht sorta takes a hit against the possible playoff tickets, when you can just pay over face aftermarket.
stickguy
12/1/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
yes, the discount is nice, but it sounded like $15, so not a huge deal. And I forgot about insider access to more tickets, although I did not ralize the Mets waived fees. But again, that is a few bucks a ticket, so not a huge difference maker.
and this must be a partial plan at $510. Much bigger issue eating lots of tickets on a full season package!
TRS86
12/1/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
As a season ticket holder for UVA football, I think there was more to it than familiarity. We would move down out of our seats any opportunity (not that they were terrible but better is better). I think the number one reason we held season tickets was pride in the team and the feeling of being part of that.
stickguy
12/1/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
you can’t feel pride just buying individual game tickets?
Football is always been different than BB as to season tickets. Up this way, there is a large waiting list for seasons (at one point, the Redskins was something like 60 years), and they get passed down in people’s wills. The games are also always sold out. That, and only 8 home games per year (fewer for college).
TRS86
12/1/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
No I don’t think you get that pride of being part of something by buying single game tickets.
kingman 26
12/1/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
I can agree with you both.
When the Nets first came to NJ in the late 70s, my Dad’s firm had great season tix at the Rutgers arena, and we would go to maybe 8-10 games a year.
They were about 12th row center court, so we never would have the need to move to better seats, but it was in fact pretty cool seeing the same faces around us at every game for a few years…we went to less games when they moved to the Meadowlands, but still, several of the same people were around us who we had known for years.
Definitely kind of a nice sense of community there.
stickguy
12/1/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
we get plenty of team pride being part of TRDMB.
I really think this is a college football/basketball concept though.
Mr North Jersey
12/1/2010-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
I think you both are right.
Being a season ticket holder of any team can be because you want to feel like your as much a part of the team as possible with some of the reasons for wanting this is the love or pride you have in the team.
By the same token the idea that a person that only goes to individual games can’t get that pride of being part of something that a season ticket holder supposedly gets is one that I respectfully will never agree with.
stickguy
12/1/2010-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
I live too far away to ever have gotten a season package (and time is limited, not to mention money!) But, a few friends and I used to make our own little package, picking a few games we wanted, and sending 2 of them to wait on line at Shea to buy tickets for the year. Kind of our own little custom season ticket package.
Now, I only go if someone scores tickets, or we pick a date during the season and get what we can on short notice. Way less chance of eating tickets that way.
TRS86
12/1/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
I am sure they can NJ but I don’t think it’s the same for me. I have been on both sides. For some reason I feel more like a guest and just a fan as a single game ticket guy and more like part of it all when I buy season tickets.
Mr North Jersey
12/1/2010-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
Understood, your speaking only for yourself.
kingman 26
12/1/2010-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
That’s funny TRS; I guess even when I go to one Met game a year I feel as much a part of it as anyone—and the last two years I have gone just once each, the last Saturday of the season (and I am 2-0!!)
For me, when I go, as soon as I enter the stadium (even Citi) the memories flood back to my first games in the mid-70s, with just a few thousand at Shea, and crowding the railing during BP to get autographs from such luminaries as Rich Folkers and Tom Hausman. I think of being at game 3 of the NLCS in 1986 when Dykstra hit the homer, I think of all the games I have attended, all the literally decades now of fandom. I think of how proud my Dad is to have been at Shea for both Game 5 in 1969 and Game 7 in 1986, how my uncle was one of the crazies storming the field after Game 5 in 1969 and the turf he gave me which I still have, and I guess when I attend a game–even one a year–I truly feel as much a part of the Met “family” as anyone.
stickguy
12/1/2010-2:30pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
I remember wandering the entire stadium as a little kid back in the early 70s. One day I took the escalater up to the diamond club. Needless to say, they were not too pleased to see a scruffy little kid in cut off shorts entering.
I do miss Shea.
stickguy
12/1/2010-2:31pm at 2:31 pm (UTC -4)
I also think the “ownership” aspect is more prevelant in college sports.
kingman 26
12/1/2010-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
Good chance you saw me in the Diamond Club with my Dad—I was the scruffy big kid in the cut off shorts.
I miss Shea too.
stickguy
12/1/2010-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
I doubt that you were that big in 1973.
kingman 26
12/1/2010-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I was only 7, but I was always tall and husky, and no one ever called me a “little kid!”
kingman 26
12/1/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Oh NJ, I totally agree with this—I definitely feel that my fandom makes me a prideful part of something even if I go to one game a year.
I lived in Seattle for ten years, definitely got into the mid-90s Mariners, but I was still VERY much a part of Met and Net Nation.
Granted, Net Nation is small, but it’s there….you just have to look hard and squint to see it…
TRS86
12/1/2010-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, not saying you can’t feel part of a team without being a season ticket holder.
oleosmirf
12/1/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
maybe this well help, chances are Oliver Perez will “make” the 25 man roster so you might get stuck going to a game he starts.
saltygary
12/1/2010-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
I personally would drop them and just pick my games. The only issue is when they get better you might not be able to get a Mezz seat. Also do they give a discount to folks that had seats from prior years?
stickguy
12/1/2010-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
You are basically playing a game of supply/demand chicken. Similar to sitting on the sidelines of the stock market, waiting for a bottom to buy back in.
at some point, interest will pick up, and tickets will get scapped up. then if you want back in, you are getting crapier seats (if any). And keeping the good seats you finally worked up to is a reason some people are reluctant to let them go.
Philly is a good example. Bigger park (not by a whole lot, but more seats) than Citefield. And the entire season in 2010 9and I think 2009) was a sell out, other than a few stray early season tixs maybe. So if you wanted to go, you were fully limited tot he secondary market, and paying the price for good seats, and especially post season.
And some people really dont like dealing sith stubhub, ebay, etc.
saltygary
12/1/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
Citizens is also a lot cheaper. I’ve gotten fabulous seats for $45. They have $1 hot dog night all the time.Just all around a more affordable place. Also I think parking is free isn’t it? Can’t remember.
You are correct it is chicken but historically for the team there are always seats available except for playoff auctions.
The other issue is selling tickets. Many season ticket holders sell some seats to offset the costs and currently there is no market for this.
stickguy
12/1/2010-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
I know CBP the top seats are certainly cheaper, but not sure how much the non-prime ones differ. I do know they are raising them all about $5 (on average) for next year. So, another $15mill in instant revenue!
plenty of parking, but the lots (last time I went, no games this year) were $10 I think.
dollar dog night is giving me indigestion just thinking about it.
Pretty much moot though what tickets cost now, becasue every game you might want to go to will be sold out in advance.
I usually treated it like Citi. Buy the cheapest nosebleed or SRO tixs, then spend the game wandering around the lower deck.