Aug
13
2011

Morning Grind: What Ever Happened To Banner Day?

An article by Clayton Collier

Ever since 1996, Mets fans have not had the pleasure of going to Banner Day in Flushing. For years, fans would bring banners and signs to the ballpark during double-headers to show their true expression of Mets fandom. But, once MLB stopped scheduling double-headers, so too did the Amazin’s do to the beloved Banner Day.

Fans would tear their bedsheets from their mattresses, write a clever message or image on it and head off to Shea Stadium. Participants would file in from center field and make their way onto the infield to display their creations before all in attendance. I was never old enough to recall a Banner Day, but every single Mets Yearbook I have seen, the common theme throughout every episode, regardless of how the team was doing in the standings, was Banner Day. Players had come and gone, but one thing that was always there for the fans to hold dear was Banner Day once a summer, so why not now?

Just look at the slew of signs and banners brought by the Flushing Faithful in 1984:

*Hat tip to Joe. D for the video link

Personally, I have never been to a Mets game without a sign in hand. I love coming up with something clever to display about the Mets and would be ecstatic to go to Banner Day. There has been a growing movement of fans calling for the return of Banner Day, and I am in full support.

Why not have it before a Sunday Matinée? You could have Howie Rose be the master of ceremonies and hand out prizes, throw a player or two out there to greet the participants on the field, it would be a wonderful event and please the fans.

…Are you writing this down Mr. Wilpon?

About the Author: Clayton Collier

Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com

4 Comments + Add Comment

Lisa P. August 13, 2011 at 9:36 am

Those were the good old days when fans rooted and supported the team no matter what. I dont think it’s the same anymore and many would show up with negative signs or to display their own ideaologies about the team’s direction. Imagine the signs they would have made for Oliver Perez and Jeff Francoeur? That’s probably why they did away with it.
William Howard August 13, 2011 at 10:41 am

I would love to see Banner Day restored. It might help heal the disconnect between the fans and the team that still carries over from the 2009-2010 seasons. That was always a great day to go to Shea and I attended six of them myself.
Metsie August 13, 2011 at 11:47 am

It went the same day the TwiNight double header left!

Ever see a double header scheduled that wasn’t due to rain?

Well the last time you did it was probably also Banner Day!
Mr North Jersey August 13, 2011 at 1:51 pm

The only Banner Day I ever got to go to was on a cold day back on a Saturday in April of 91. The Mets were playing the Expos. It was a Banner Day to support our troops due to the Gulf War if I remember correctly.

Gooden pitched a complete game that day that I didn’t get to stay around to finish seeing. The reason I didn’t get to finish seeing the game is cause I took along my wife who was 9 months pregnant at the time and it was so cold that even with a Mets sweater that at the time cost me an incredible 50 bucks and Gods knows the number of Hot chocolates it was just too much for her so we headed home as we listened to the game on the radio getting home in time to see the end of the game on tv.

8 days later my daughter was born. Great memory even if we only got to see some of the game.

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