Citi Field Won’t Tolerate Even the Most Mundane of Heckling
The Mets, like their crosstown rivals the Yankees, are also proud of their shiny new Bellagio-like Stadium and wish their fans would treat it, and their team, with equal reverence. That’s the only explanation as to why stadium security would take poor Ramon Batista’s sign that said the completely harmless “Fire J. Manuel” on Friday night. Here’s his retelling:
Ok, this is what happened, Alex Cora (second baseman) saw the sign and started pointing towards me and told something to the security on the field and then they started looking at me and then called another security. I thought they were going to take me out of the game and asked me if I was the one with the Jerry Manuel sign and he needed to take it with him and hoped I understood the reason (they never gave me one). So i just gave it to him cause I didn’t want to get thrown out, I didn’t want to loose my $230 in tickets.
This wasn’t the only noteworthy sign confiscation this week. On Wednesday night, Citi Field’s Signage Crackdown Squad (SCS)* made three college kids hand over their traditional “K” signs because they were blocking those kajillion dollar LCD ribbon boards, which left many Mets fans longing for the days of Shea when cardboard K’s could adorn the right field upper deck without consequence. Mets PR man and professional fire-putter-outer Jay Horowitz had the gall to add this reasoning: “They were afraid the signs would damage the board.” Because these K signs were made of Italian marble, you see. That shit scratches. But Horowitz also explained that the Mets don’t “have a policy against signs of any kind” at the stadium. Except for Ramon Batista’s apparently. Update: Horowitz responds, telling ANIMAL, “We don’t have a policy on signs, but if they’re really negative or inciteful we might ask that they take them down.”
Editor-in-Chief:
So, lemme get this straight–they charge a bajillion dollars for seats in a taxpayer funded stadium, and then exert thought control on the people who mortgaged their first-born to attend?
Even more reason to stay home. Glad I do not live in New York.
METS SUCK YANKEES SUCK RED SOX SUCK EVERYBODY SUCKS
Krypton sucks!
Phil Hughes is right, you know.
There couldn’t be a worse time for a city to open TWO new sports facilities aimed at a class of customer that is falling faster than a lead balloon. The empty seats look laughably weak on TV, reminding everyone watching that ‘those days will never come back again.’ The focus on luxury suites and premium seating got out of hand, because owners saw it as a never-ending golden goose. I will be shocked if we don’t see similar examples when the Cowboys open their new stadium this year. Of course, Jones has some time to avoid that kind of negative image. Up here in Boston, we badly need a new Fenway Park. Thankfully this ‘new financial reality’ is being seen by everyone wishing to build a new stadium. Problem is, there’s no money ANYWHERE from ANYONE to finance new stadium/arena construction.
Funny, there’s no attendance issues in Philly right now…. hmmmmm..
Hey, Philly troll, there is nothing here about an ATTENDANCE problem. I know your schools suck and you can’t read, but seriously, if you’re going to heckle, read the thing first, jackass.
the fact the people pay $230 and more to go to a game is ridiculous…i went to new yankee stadium and citi field paying no more than 15 bucks for my seat…great upper deck views and cheap. stadiums charge that much cause people are dumb enough to pay for it.
Fortunately for CB Park, there are no lame rules like no signs. However, if you show up in a Mets jersey, be prepared for a 20 on 1 beat-down (or worse).
GO PHILS!
VRy interesting to read it