On April 13, 2009, the New York Mets played their first regular season game at Citi Field. The Mets’ new home was built in the parking lot of their former home, Shea Stadium. While Shea Stadium had its great moments, including being the venue for both of the Mets’ World Series wins and serving as the home stadium for the Mets, Yankees, Giants, and Jets in 1975, it was time for new ballpark.
Mets fans eagerly awaited the beginning of the 2009 season, and why not? The team fell just short of the 2008 postseason, due in large part to bullpen issues late in the year. Closer Billy Wagner had gone down late in the season, and the Mets would be without him for the lion’s share of 2009. So, they went out and obtained Francisco Rodriguez, who had saved 69 games in 2008 for the Los Angels Angels of Anaheim. K-Rod joined a team with Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran, and David Wright. The Mets were set up, correct?
As we know, things did not work out well for the 2009 Mets. They were injury-plagued and finished 70-92, a far cry from their projected status as National League champions by Sports Illustrated. Even the inaugural game at Citi Field ended up being a disappointment, though Wright gave the 41,000 fans in attendance a great memory.
The Mets had opened 2009 on the road, going a combined 3-3 in Cincinnati and Miami (then the Florida Marlins). On Monday, April 13th, Mike Pelfry took the mound for the Mets, after the park had been ceremoniously opened by Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza. The San Diego Padres were the unlikely opponent so early in the season. Pelfry faced outfielder Jody Gerut leading off the game. Gerut smacked Pelfry’s third pitch over the right field fence, and the Mets were down 1-0 while the fans were still trying to find their seats.
The Padres expanded their lead to 4-0 in the second inning, on RBIs by David Eckstein (two) and Brian Giles. The Mets got one back in the bottom of the second, when Luis Castillo doubled off Walter Silva, driving in Brian Schneider. The score remained 4-1 until the top of the fifth inning, when Adrian Gonzalez took Pelfry deep. The Padres led 5-1.
Schneider led off the Mets’ fifth with a walk. After two outs and a walk by Reyes, Daniel Murphy drove in Gary Sheffield, who had pinch hit for Pelfry and hit into a force out, taking Schneider off the base paths. That made the score 5-2, and up stepped the future captain, David Wright. Wright hit a 3-2 pitch over the Great Wall of Flushing to tie the game, sending the Opening Night crowd into a frenzy (I was there, and it was a stirring moment). You can enjoy it one more time in the video below.
The Padres would score in the top of the sixth inning on a balk by Pedro Feliciano, and that run would prove to be the game-winner. The Mets loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but would go quietly in their final three at-bats.
The Padres had a 6-5 victory, spoiling the first game at Citi Field for the Mets. However, the fans saw their favorite son provide a thrill, and there was plenty of season left to go. Unfortunately, the season ended being underwhelming at best, but at least we had a sparkling, new home with outstanding food options. Who cared that it was a homage to the Dodgers? Well, in fact many did. The Mets eventually fixed that, adding Mets’ history and team colors.
Citi Field is now in its 14th season. It has hosted an All Star Game and a World Series. There’s one missing piece, a World Series victory on home turf. Maybe 2022 will be the year that gets addressed.
