In retrospect, maybe it would have been better to have named Citi Field Shea Field.

I am the first one to defend the concept of naming rights. I would gladly paint Coca-Cola on the front of my house if the Coca-Cola Bottling Company were to send me a monthly check. And in this economy, the check would not have to be too big.

Those that criticized the Mets for accepting twenty million dollars a year for twenty years from Citi, to splash their name on the new park, are the same people who criticize for not signing big free agents. The money earned from the naming rights goes back into the club. Whether it’s used to pay the construction debt or on free agents is up to the Mets. It is twenty million more of revenue for putting up a sign.

The problem is Citigroup, like most banks these days, is in huge financial trouble now. Today, the heads of Citi will discuss if they should sell their corporation to another financial entity. Earlier this week, Citi announced they would be cutting 50,000 jobs. How would you like to be one of those employees (maybe you are) driving by Citi Field? You would certainly have to wonder how Citi cut your job but could afford to give the Mets twenty million a year. I know it’s not as simple as that, but tell it to those that are out of work.  

Are the Mets concerned with their dealings with Citicorp? Will Citi Field be called something else before opening day? This is the world we live in now. Shea Stadium’s name was in place for 45 years. Yankee Stadium’s name has been the same since 1923. But we have seen Enron Field become Minute Maid Park. We’ve seen Bank One Ballpark become Chase Field. And we’ve seen SBC Park become Pacific Bell Park then AT&T Park. So is there a chance that Citi Field opens as something else? It’s possible buy most likely the name will remain.

Another important aspect of this awful economy will be who is really going to be able to afford to go to Citi Field or the new Yankee Stadium next season? Financial analysts forecast a dismal 2009, even if Barack Obama can stimulate the economy with a 1930’s style new deal.

How do companies, that are losing money, justify the cost of season boxes or luxury suites at New York’s new baseball stadiums? I’m sure there are companies that have already purchased their seats who wish they hadn’t. Recently it was reported that not all the boxes at Yankees Stadium have been purchased. I’m not surprised.

What about the average fans who were complaining about the growing cost of tickets at the new parks before the market crashed? Are they going to drop 100 or 200 bucks to go to a game when their jobs may very well be on the line? If congress does not bail out the big three auto makers, it is estimated that three million jobs could be lost. That doesn’t include the car dealers, mechanics, and other related jobs. Will going to a ball game be the first thing these people think of doing when they have no idea where their next pay check will come from?

2009 should be a very interesting season in New York. With the two new ballparks opening and both clubs poised to make themselves more competitive, things could be very exciting. But new parks or not, this recession, potential depression, will determine if those shiny new seats are filled or not.

It’s bad enough we must live through the winter with the knowledge that the 2008 World Series championship flag will hang over Citizen’s Bank Park. Yesterday, to add insult to injury, the Phillies somehow did it to the Mets again.

The Peo Sagueros and the Mesa Solar Sox were locked in a flat footed tie for the American Division of the Arizona Fall League. Mets prospects play for the Peo Sagueros, Phillies prospects play for Mesa. Peo Sagueros needed to win yesterday and today to capture the division and play in the single championship game this Saturday. Mesa only needed to win yesterday to tie. Because Mesa won the season series against Peo Sagueros, they would clinch the division with a single win.

The Peo Sagueros led the Solar Sox by a score of 4-3 after seven innings yesterday. Pinch hitter and Phillies prospect Jeremy Sleyden hit a grand slam to put Mesa ahead 7-4 in the eighth. The pitcher for the Peo Sagueros was Mets prospect Eddie Kunz. Oh the pain…the pain. The Mets pitching staff must be cursed. It’s the only possible explanation. Mesa won the game and will go on to Saturday’s one game championship. Mets players will go home…again.

In Hawaii, Mets players on the Honolulu Sharks were beaten out by the Waikiki Beach Boys. The Sharks finished second and last. You see, in the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League there are only two teams in each of the two divisions.

After today’s final AFL game and the championship game on Saturday, professional baseball ceases for the year in the United States. However, the four major Caribbean leagues will still be going. Professional baseball in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Mexico will continue through the winter, culminating with the Caribbean World Series in early February. Many major leaguers including Mets players participate in the Caribbean leagues. Check out MLB.com for information regarding baseball in the Caribbean.

MLB on TV

While many will be watching bowl games on January 1, baseball will be on the air. The MLB Network will debut on the first day of the new year in 50 million homes that have cable TV or satellite. The 24 hour a day station will have wall to wall baseball programming including regular season games, classic games, and other baseball related shows. The network has announced they will also broadcast 16 of the 2009 World Baseball Classic in March. The station will be offered on the family tier and not require an extra fee. Check with your local satellite or cable company to see if they will carry the MLB Network.

Citi Field is almost finished. The latest pictures from Tom Kaminski’s Chopper 88 collection show the field has now been installed. The photos are now almost a spot on match to the many artist and computer renderings we have seen of this ballpark over the last three years. The new park is as advertized, a cozy and warm field dedicated to the ballparks of years gone by including what is expected of today’s amenity loaded stadia. It’s hard to believe in a few short months, the Mets will move from antiquated Shea into this new palace for baseball. But as I wrote two years ago, one thing concerns me in regards to Citi Field. Will it truly be a pitcher friendly ball field?

There is evidence to the contrary and there is also a great deal of unknowns in how the new park will play.  And in this age of smaller ballparks, ever since the introduction of retro fields like Camden Yards, would anyone be surprised if home runs fly out of Citi Field at an alarming rate?

One of the first things that is noticeable when viewing the installed field is how much less foul territory there is. Just past first and third base, the field level juts out toward fair territory then hugs the foul lines all the way to the wall. That means that Ryan Church or Fernando Tatis will not be able to wander several feet into foul territory to track down fly balls. Those pop ups that were outs at Shea become foul balls at Citi and an advantage to the hitter. So in this case, throw pitcher friendly out the window. The close proximity of the stands was designed to offer better sight lines and coziness. However, the trade off is extended at bats.

Here are some other facts from the Mets web site’s Citi Field side by side comparison page.  The left and right field foul lines are shorter than those at Shea.  The right field foul pole listed for Citi Field is 330 feet from home plate as compared to 338 at Shea. A difference of 8 feet means a ball hit down the line to the right field warning track and caught at Shea Stadium last season is a home run in Citi Field next season. It’s not quite as bad in left field. Citi Field’s wall down the left field line is 335 feet compared to 338. However, three feet less is three feet less, I don’t see how you can list that as an advantage to the pitcher.

You can quibble in regards to straight away center field too. Shea was measured at 410 where Citi is at 408. Once again, the distance is less.  The power allies of the new park are longer than at Shea.  Right and left center at Shea is listed at 371 feet.  The new dimensions at Citi Field list left center at 379 and right center at 383.  But it should be noted that Shea’s wall from right and left center moved out to 396 feet in the deep allies before rounding to center at 410. Also, Shea’s symmetrical outfield dimensions posed no surprises for outfielders. Citi Field’s nooks and crannies could produce strange bounces that will most certainly favor the hitter.

At Port St. Lucie, there is a practice field with the outfield fence’s dimensions and height matching Citi Field. Hopefully, Mets outfielders will spend lots of time figuring out where the ball is going to go once it hits off those quirky walls.

The Citi Field fence is higher in left field than Shea’s eight foot fence. That will benefit the pitcher. Balls that may have been homeruns at Shea may hit the top of the new wall and bounce back in the playing field. However, another innovation geared to be popular with the paying customers may not be so with the pitching staff.   

The right field “porch”, that pays homage to Tiger Stadium, hangs over the field by eight feet.  A ball that could have been caught could land in the porch for a homerun. It would take a high arching fly ball for that to happen but it is possible. Never the less, it’s not a design feature that helps the pitchers.

Not found on the Citi Field fact pages are many of the unknowns.  For example, how will wind effect play in the new park?  You can’t assume it will be the same as Shea Stadium.  Home plate at Shea faced east.  The orientation of the new field will change with home plate facing northeast.  The third base line of Citi will run almost perpendicular to Shea’s center field. 

Shea was open from foul line to foul line and its circular design helped to create swirling winds greatly affecting hitters over the years. During the colder months, balls headed over the outfield walls would get knocked down by the cross winds coming off Flushing bay headed toward right field.  Who can forget the drive hit off of the bat of Mike Piazza that ended the 2000 World Series?  It looked as though the ball Piazza hit would tie the game but the stiff wind held it up and the ball was ultimately caught in left center on the track by Bernie Williams. Does that fly ball react the same at Citi Field with its different field orientation or is it a homerun?  I think it’s safe to say we just don’t know. 

The new building itself is slightly lower than Shea Stadium.  The highest seats in the promenade level will reach about half way up the upper level at Shea.  What difference will that make in terms of wind? 

Citi Field is more closed in than Shea with stands wrapping around three sides of the stadium. Right field is closed in too with the administration building, a scoreboard, and the double deck stands where the overhanging porch will be. All of these attributes will contribute in some way to Citi Field playing differently than Shea Stadium. 

Here is one more thing to consider. The promenade features a split level design where fans can still see the game while waiting in line at concessions.  In older ballparks like Shea, these areas were enclosed and protected from wind.  More air may be able to flow from outside of Citi Field to the inside through this split opening and could have an impact on play as well.

When Citi Field opens in five months, it will be a beautiful place to watch a game.  Its brick façade and rotunda reminiscent of Ebbets Field and modern amenities inside will make the Mets new home an attraction for all baseball fans for years to come. But given the facts as outlined by the Mets own promotion pages and the unknowns related to field orientation and wind, I think its safe to say that Citi Field will likely not be as friendly to pitchers as Shea Stadium was.

Webshots user Citi_Field has posted new pictures of the progress at Citi Field and Shea Stadium. At Shea, the field level on both the first and third base side have been razed. The field looks like a monster trucks rally as opposed to a baseball field. The finishing touches appear to be in the works on the outside of Citi Field. Although these photos do not get inside of Citi Field, crews are in the process of laying the sod inside the new park.

Shea Stadium Demolition/Citi Field 11/15/08

I haven’t written anything about Mets personnel for 2009 lately. I have covered Shea’s demolition, Citi Field’s progress, winter baseball leagues, and other baseball in general related stuff. I really don’t feel it necessary to regurgitate the rumor mill that goes around the newspapers and blogs daily. The fact is, tomorrow, the bidding begins.

We have heard, in terms of the Mets needs, the same names bantered around for more than a month now. Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, J. J. Putz, Orlando Hudson, Derek Lowe, Bobby Jenks, Huston Street, Jermaine Dye, and A. J. Burnett have all had their names associated with potential free agent signings or trades with the Mets. Oh, and let’s not forget Oliver Perez.

Personally, I think Perez has worn a Mets uniform for the last time. I’m not saying I agree with that, but I do think the Mets will be unwilling to meet agent Scott Boras’s demands. It will be too much money for a guy who can be brilliant but can also be frustrating at times. Who knows what a big contract will do to Perez’s ability to stay focused.

The one thing that can be said, with a fare amount of accuracy, is the Mets will make changes. To what level of change will remain to be seen. It does appear that the loud mouthed talking heads have come to the conclusion that the core players, Wright, Reyes, and Beltran are not going anywhere nor should they. It also seems fairly certain that the Mets can address many of their needs through free agency as opposed to trades. That’s a good thing because trading would force the Amazin’s to give up on some of their top prospects. The last thing I, as a fan, want to see are Jon Neise, Eddie Kunz, Bobby Parnell, and Dan Murphy moving elsewhere.

The Mets have some money to spend and are also fleshing out trade possibilities. It’s no secret the Mets must improve their bullpen and a big task in that category is securing a top notch closer. Lucky for the Mets, two are available, Rodriguez and Fuentes. What is also working in the Mets favor is that of the teams needing a closer, they are the only big market team. The Yankees have Rivera, the Red Sox have Papelbon, and the Phillies have Lidge. At the very least the Mets should be able to out bid the other teams. The question is will they?

Honestly I do not think money will be the issue, but years will. A four or five year deal for either K-Rod or Fuentes should be out of the question. Teams, including the Mets, have gotten burned too often at the back end of these long contracts. Billy Wagner will spend 2009 rehabbing his elbow at the tune of 10.5 million dollars. Wagner received a four year deal prior to the 2006 season when he probably would have signed for three. Sound familiar Mr. Castillo? We may even rue the day that Johan Santana was given a seven year deal. Time will tell.

Derek Lowe’s name comes up a lot when starting pitching is mentioned in conjunction with the Mets. But there, the Mets may have to compete with the Yankees who may raise their payroll to around a billion dollars by some accounts or at least it seems.

The Mets will definitely have to add a starting pitcher or two, especially if Perez signs elsewhere. Lowe is their first choice. He’s an innings eater with great stuff and has playoff experience. There will be competition for him from the Red Sox too.

Forget CC Sabathia. He may like the National League and the west coast but the Yankees are prepared to give him his own money printing press. The Mets cannot afford two seven year 100 million dollar plus pitchers.

A. J. Burnett is another possibility but his health scares me. I would forget Ben Sheets for that reason too. Hopefully once the Yankees ink Sabathia, the Mets can make a real play for Lowe. Although I have read the Yanks may go after Lowe anyway even if they sign CC.

I would love to see the Mets sign Orlando Hudson to play second but Castillo’s four year deal becomes an obstacle in any deal. The Mets must figure out how to unload Castillo, not an easy task unless they can swap him for another under achiever. Likely, the Mets would have to eat part of his contract. Don’t be shocked if Castillo is in the opening day lineup come April.

Craig Carton of WFAN will hold a rally tomorrow morning at Citi Field in an attempt to put pressure on the Mets to sign Manny Ramirez. I doubt the Mets will pay much attention. Ramirez, another Boras client, wants too much money and too many years. No question, his talent would greatly benefit the Mets and I would not mind him on the team. I just think his asking price and age are way too high.

The Mets may be looking to upgrade at catcher as well. However, they will live with Brian Schneider behind the dish for another year, especially if they can fill their other needs. I have heard Jason Veritek’s name floating around but he is old, can’t hit anymore, and wants too many years. The Mets need to get younger, not start adding older players. I say live with Schneider and hope that Joshn Thole, currently in the Arizona Fall League, continues to develop and is ready for 2010.

Tomorrow the fun should start. After midnight, any team can talk money to any free agent. Tonight, Mets Hot Stove airs at 7:00PM eastern time on SNY. Let the free agent season begin.

It's November in the northeast and it's getting cold. But in other parts of the world it's still warm, even hot. Professional Baseball is played almost the entire year and to prove it, here are links to six professional leagues currently in action.

Two of the leagues are in the United States and four are in the Caribbean. To access winter baseball information, use the following links.

Arizona Fall League http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/?league=afl

Hawaiian Winter Baseball League http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/?league=hwb

Caribbean Winter Leagues http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/?league=car

En Espanol

Liga Dominicana http://www.lidom.com/

Liga Mexicana http://www.ligadelpacifico.com.mx/cms/content.asp?company=180

Liga Venezolana http://www.lvbp.com/scripts/home/index.asp

Liga Puerto Rico http://www.hitboricua.com/

The AFL and HWBL will conclude before Thanksgiving. The Caribbean leagues will play through December, have their playoffs in January and then play the Caribbean World Series in February.

Mets players can be found on the rosters of the Peo Saguaros and Honolulu Sharks of the Arizona Fall League and the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League respectively. Mets players can be found throughout the Caribbean during the winter months. Click here to find the winter Mets.

Citi_Field of WebShots has provided 29 more pictures of Shea Stadium Demolition and Citi Field progress. Tom Kaminski from Chopper 88 has posted new pictures as well. In the photos of Shea, you will see the third base field level demolished. The first base field level is completely razed now and there is no indication of a baseball field anywhere. One surprising aspect of Citi Field is that there is no sod on the field as of yet. Earlier reports stated the sod would be laid by the end of October in time to knit and be ready for opening day. We are now into November and it's not going to get any warmer. By comparison, the new Yankee Stadium's turf has already been installed.  

Webshots -

Shea Stadium Demolition/Citi Field 11/9/08

Tom Kaminski - http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/33067.php

An article from last week’s Queen’s Tribune reports that two more property acquisitions have been made in Willets Point by the city of New York. Willets Point is also known as the Iron Triangle and is right next door to Shea Stadium. More accurately, this section of Queens is right across 126th Street from brand new Citi Field.

The Iron Triangle is populated with dozens of auto shops, junk yards and other industrial businesses. It is a run down section of Queens likely requiring a toxic clean up before any new construction can be done. Quite simply, the Mets and the city want the chop shops out. With state of the art Citi Field opening up in five months, there is nothing the Mets and the city want more than to redevelop Willets Point, turning it into an area of economic growth. But the owners of the businesses are not going quietly. Many have been there for decades and do not want to relocate.

The city has been negotiating with business owners, offering financial incentive, and help with relocation. While some businesses have been stubborn to leave, others have been making deals and planning to move. Of course, those that insist on remaining risk New York City claiming eminent domain, forcing the businesses out of the area anyway. Some owners are feeling they better take what they can get before they have no choice. According to the article, the city now has obtained about 40 percent of the 62 acres.

If the city and the Mets get their wish, the area next to Citi Field will be transformed into an entertainment destination. The vision is for a hotel, convention center, restaurants, and retail shops to replace the eyesore that is currently there today. The area will thrive prior to and after Mets games and will be an entertainment alternative open the year round. Jeff Wilpon recently said in a WFAN interview with Mike Francesa that space at Citi Field on 126th street could eventually include retail shops and a restaurant open the year round.

The reason that Hard Rock Café will be open twelve months a year at the new Yankee Stadium is because there is a neighborhood in which to draw from. Citi Field, at the moment, does not have such a luxury. Although there are restaurants and bars in the area, there is nothing right next to Citi Field except expressways and the chop shops. But transforming the Iron Triangle into a posh location will certainly give fans a reason to come by the Mets ballpark even in the dead of winter. What Mets fan would not want to take a ride over to Flushing on a cold winter’s day, dreaming of the days of summer while dining at Planet Hollywood or some other trendy eatery at Citi Field? Then walk across 126th street and take in a movie or browse the latest baseball books at a Barnes and Nobles.

The concept is not new. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is next to Inner Harbor, an area of many shops, restaurants, and museums on Baltimore Harbor. Progressive Field, formally Jacobs Field, has the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other attractions next door. The Cardinals are building a village next to Busch Stadium III, and the proposed Cisco Field in Freemont California comes complete with condos and retail. If they build it you will go and spend your money, at least that’s what these cities hope.

Construction at Citi Field is drawing to a close but the potential for reconstructing Willets Point could keep the cranes and hard hats in the area for several years to come. Likely, shovels will not start digging for a couple of years but the redevelopment will happen. While the displaced businesses may suffer, the overall economic stimulation by redevelopment is just what is needed at a time when our economy is suffering greatly. Plus, permanent jobs will be created for the new businesses that will eventually open. And perhaps union carpenter Danny Sessna will be able to continue his TV appearances with Kevin Burkhardt. Seriously though, you can bet that work will be started by the time the Mets host their first All Star game at Citi Field, some time early next decade.

If Omar Minaya does his job and continues to build a winning Mets team, ten years from now, Citi Field and Willets Point will become one of New York’s biggest tourist attractions. There is much to look forward to.

Thanks to stadiumpage.com for the images.

I was impressed with a fan’s remarks in Marty Noble’s latest Mailbag feature at Mets.com. The fan was defending the idea of not forgetting the 2008 season because to him, there were many memorable moments. This fan has a good outlook and is getting more out of the baseball season than many of us.

I share this fan’s attitude and am often puzzled by so many fans anger and frustration with the Mets. Something has changed drastically since the 1960’s in terms of rooting for a baseball team. It used to be that if your team was playing above .500 and in the mix, fans were happy. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the never ending banter on sports talk radio and the myriad of baseball blogs on the internet. But one thing is certain, unless the Mets (or the team you root for) win the World Series, the season is now thought of as a complete failure.

This attitude is complicated by the fact that players often say the same thing. I have heard Derek Jeter claim many times that the season was a failure because the Yankees did not win the Series. This was during seasons when the Yankees were in the playoffs. If the Yankees were a failure for getting to the playoffs, what does that make all the other teams that did not?

What gets lost in all this is that it is very hard to get to the playoffs. It is even more difficult to get to the World Series much less win it. If a fan can only obtain satisfaction from their team winning the World Series, why even bother rooting? The odds are always against. Even the favored team is given good odds at the season’s outset to win the Series but no team ever gets one to one odds.

A friend of mine who is a numbers wizard ran some stats. He compiled a list of every team to play in the Major Leagues since 1903, the year the World Series began (except 1904 and 1994). He discovered that the average number of times a team wins a World Series is once every 20 years. The results compare the anticipated number of Series wins to the actual. For example, if a team has been in existence for 100 years, they should have won the World Series five times, once every 20 years. Obviously some teams, like the Yankees, are ahead of that curve while some are behind. But most fall smack in the middle or are off by one actual win either way.

Based on this formula, the Mets have won the number of World Series that is expected. In 47 seasons, they have won the Series twice. Because 1986 is now twenty-two years ago, the Mets are starting to fall below the curve. However, at least by average, they have won their fare share of World Series. In comparison, the recently crowned Philadelphia Phillies lag behind the curve because they have only won two World Series since 1903. The expectation is they should have won five championships by now. The point being, it is very difficult to win a championship. Again, if winning it all is the only thing a fan can find gratification in, why not find another pastime?

I often wonder if Cubs fans have as bad an attitude as many Mets fans. After all, the Cubs have not won a World Series in 101 years. Up until recently, a Red Sox fan was in the same boat. But now that Boston has won a couple of World Series in the last few years, do their fans start expecting a championship every season too?

The goal of any organization should be to put the best team on the field with the goal of winning the World Series. That is all we, as fans, can really ask for. However, that effort is no guarantee it will happen. Realistically, the Mets have fielded a winning team for the past four years. Yet because of disappointments by not getting to the Series in ’06, the collapse in ’07, and falling short in ’08, based on fan reaction, you would think these Mets are the same team led by Art Howe. I have been tough on Omar Minaya the last year and a half but in fairness, he turned the team around and made it competitive immediately after taking over the club. The best laid plans are often thwarted by injury, unanticipated poor performance from key players, and even bad luck. 

The complaining in regards to 2009 has already started. At the GM meetings in southern California, not much has happened and we are starting to hear criticism from the media that the Mets will not do enough to change their fortunes for next season. It’s as if we need a guarantee in writing today that the Mets will win it all in ‘09. I would hope that someone who could give that guarantee could write down some lottery numbers for me too.

The fan in Marty Nobel’s article was simply pointing out that the journey was exciting. And indeed it was. In 2008, the Mets floundered in the beginning, changed managers and found themselves becoming competitive again reaching and occupying first place for quite some time. Injuries and poor relief pitching took their toll and the dream of winning a World Series was not fulfilled. Shall we return to the days or the Roman Empire and feed the team to the lions or should we be more civilized and relish the fact that our team was competitive and came close. Or would we prefer that the Mets become a basement dweller as they were for so many years of their existence when they were out of the race by Memorial Day?

The ending of the last two seasons were disappointing, make no mistake about it. But when the Mets finally get back to the playoffs and win it all, and I believe they will soon, the gratification will be that much more enjoyable. Wild ideas of breaking up the core by sports talk loud mouths is reactionary and would only serve to take steps backward. Fixing the obvious is what is needed and that is what Omar and company seem prepared to do as they look for pitching.

As the Mets get ready to move into beautiful Citi Field, they will do so with a chance to win the World Series. Whether the Mets do or not is why we follow them. The journey is long and many things can happen along the way. If we continue to spew our disapproval of a team that spends more money than most, tries hard to win at all costs, and keep their product competitive, then our griping says more about us, the fans, than it does about the Mets.

This past baseball season, Mike Piazza retired. Mike Piazza was the greatest offensive Mets player in history. He was greater than Darryl Strawberry, Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, and anyone else you can think of, who donned a Mets uniform. Piazza will be a first round Hall of Fame pick. Since he retired this season, he will be eligible to enter the Hall in 2013. Hopefully and appropriately, Mike will be enshrined wearing the cap of the New York Mets.

Piazza was never considered a can’t miss prospect. Most scouts said he would never make it to the big leagues and was only drafted by the Dodgers out of a favor to Tommy Lasorda, Mike’s godfather. But what made Piazza so special was his incredible work ethic. Also, Piazza was a great individual who never got caught up in scandals or represented an organization he played for in a negative way. He was a true gentleman, a class act who made the Mets relevant the moment he was traded to them in May of 1998.

He was drafted in the 62nd round by the Dodgers in 1988. From the moment Piazza put on the pro uniform, he worked tirelessly in the batting cage and on improving his skills as a catcher. It all paid off as Piazza was named the 1993 Rookie of the Year. He was named to the All Star team as a starter eleven times being named the MVP in 1996. He also played in the post season four times. Just look at the numbers Piazza put up in his career.

Piazza had over 2000 hits. He hit 427 homeruns and set the record for the most homeruns by a catcher, passing Johnny Bench while he was a Met. He knocked in more than 1300 runs. His lifetime batting average was .308 with an on base percentage of .377 and a slugging percentage of .545. By comparison, Darryl Strawberry’s average was .259, an on base percentage of .357 and a slugging percentage of .505. Piazza’s numbers are even more astounding when considering he was a catcher, a grueling position over the course of a career.

Gary Carter is a Hall of Fame catcher who helped the Mets to their last world championship. His avg/obp/slg is .262/.335/.439, much lower than Piazza’s. Simply put, Mike Piazza’s stats are great regardless of the position he played. But when you consider that he caught for the vast majority of his tenure, his accomplishments are truly amazing.

In 1997, manager Bobby Valentine was able to steer the Mets to an 88-74 record, the best in eight seasons. But the Mets lacked a super star. While the Mets were good and quite competitive, they were no match for the Atlanta Braves who by then were winning the Eastern Division of the National League every season. Plus, the Yankees were also winning and became the darlings of New York. After the Mets received Mike Piazza in a trade with the Florida Marlins in May 1998, suddenly New York was a legitimate threat again. Piazza gave Mets fans hope. With his powerful bat and presence in the lineup, the Mets became a legitimate contender and instantly began to receive more media attention.

In 1998, Piazza’s first year with the Mets, the ballclub finished 88-74 for the second straight season, missing out on the wild card the last weekend. Piazza wasn’t sure if he wanted to stay with the Mets since ’98 was his walk year and he initially struggled in New York. But by the end of the season, he was convinced Shea was where he wanted to make his home for the next seven years. Piazza signed a seven year deal with the Mets worth over 90 million making him one of the highest priced players in the game.

The investment paid huge dividends as Piazza helped the Mets to the post season in 1999 and 2000. It was the first time in Mets history the club made the playoffs in consecutive years, both times as the NL wildcard. In ’99, the Mets made it to the NLCS against their arch rivals, the Atlanta Braves. In 2000, the Mets won the National League pennant getting to the World Series for the first time in fourteen years.

When Mike Piazza is elected to the Hall of Fame, which hat will he wear? It really should be a Mets cap. Mike played mores games as a Met than any other team including the Dodgers. While Piazza spent five plus seasons with LA, he wore blue and orange for seven plus seasons. He hit more of his homeruns as a Met than a Dodger (220 vs. 177). He had more at-bats (3478 vs. 2707), runs (532 vs. 443), hits (1028 vs. 896), runs batted in (655 vs. 563), doubles (193 vs. 115), total bases (1885 vs 1548), and walks (424 vs. 283) while with the Mets. His on base percentage (.373 vs. .372), and slugging percentage (.537 vs. .532) were almost identical.

Piazza’s average while with LA was higher than on the Mets however. He hit .314 as a Dodger and .295 as a Met. Mike's most productive season came as a Dodger hitting .362 in 1997. It’s hard to believe that less than a year later the Dodgers traded the all star slugger. Mike’s career average began to drop in 2002 when he hit lower than .300 for the first time, not at all unusual for an aging catcher.

Another factor weighing in the Mets favor is Mike’s post season play. With the Dodgers, Piazza played in the division series once. With the Mets, Mike played in two division series, two league championship series, and one World Series. He also played in the 2006 division series as a member of the San Diego Padres.

When Piazza released his retirement statement, while thanking all fans who supported him, he especially thanked Mets fans for their unbelievable support and cheers. Without saying so, it was Piazza’s way of saying he would like to go into the Hall as a Met. Besides, the most emblematic event of Piazza’s career might very well be the homerun he hit on September 21, 2001 that ultimately won the game against the Braves. That was the game where baseball returned to New York after the 9/11 attacks.

An event that should help mark the inaugural season of Citi Field should be the retirement of Mike Piazza’s number 31. When Mike walked off the field with Tom Seaver on the final day of Shea Stadium back in September, we all witnessed the two greatest players in Mets history. Seaver’s number 41 has already been retired, now it’s time for Mike’s to be too. And in another few years, Mike will hopefully join Tom as the only other Met to be enshrined at Cooperstown.

Sunday's New York Daily News has a nice story about former Met reliever and 1969 World Champion Ron Taylor. There is also a story by Bill Madden about the reasons for failing popularity of the World Series. Finally David Wright gives his perspective of the recently concluded World Series.

Here is a new slideshow of Citi Field pictures and Shea Demolition. Thanks to Citi_Field at Webshots.