My dad and I have never gone to a Mets game together before. Sure we’ve watched countless games on TV, been to see the Ducks and the Islanders, went to the Giants ticker-tape parade together, and have even caught a few Orioles games when we visit family in Maryland. But never have we both made it to Flushing with each other. Whenever I have gone, it has always been with friends. We have always tried to, but either something on my end or his would always come up, and we’d put it off until next month, or next season.
That was until this past Thursday morning. I called my dad from my dorm room first thing in the morning and told him that we were going to a Mets game this season, and not just any game, but Opening Day.
I waited until the clock struck ten, and snagged two overpriced tickets way up in the nosebleeds, but that didn’t matter. For the first time, I’ll be going to cheer on my favorite team, along with my dad, and no matter who is suiting up on that field, I know April 1st, 2013 will be a day I will always cherish.
Just because the outfield will be an eyesore at best and the bullpen has more questions marks than the Riddler’s jumpsuit, doesn’t mean the experience of attending a Mets game should be tarnished.
The Mets fight song still plays as you get your ticket scanned at the gate. There is still no feeling in the world that can describe making your way through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda to see the field open up in front of you.
The fries and the shakes haven’t become infested with disease just because R.A. Dickey is playing North of the border; they’re still delicious (overpriced, but delicious).
Mr. Met doesn’t sit in left field in a fetal position. The Wilpons don’t stand on top of the dugouts donning a menacing smile, laughing at all those who were oh-so ignorant to actually pay to see the New York Mets. It is still a baseball game.
I know the boycott movement isn’t as popular as it was last year, but it still exists among many begrudged fans. I just don’t understand the mentality of those who decide to boycott their favorite team. Was this ever done in ’94? Or ’78? Or ’63? The answer is no. Yes, you want Wilpon out, many fans do, but are you really suffering so much that you will rob yourself the chance to see a baseball game with friends and loved ones?
Once again, the answer –at least should be–no. Fifty-plus years ago, this franchise was the worst team in the annals of baseball history. No team has ever lost more games in a season. And yet fans still came. Why? It was to see National League baseball in New York again. They stayed and continue to stay for the experience, the fun atmosphere of the Polo Grounds/Shea Stadium/Citi Field; and the Mets.
Just take a look at the post done this morning by MMO’s own Clare Lafferty. Clare was so excited to have the chance to go to Banner Day once again that she wrote a wonderful post about it, much like myself and Opening Day in this one. It’s not about how awful the team will be, or the upper management of this club, but simply a post about getting to go to a Mets game.
In the seventh inning, you still root, root, root for the home team, and if they don’t win it’s a shame. However the fact of the matter is it’s still the old ball game, no matter who’s on the field or signing the checks.
In actuality, the only ones the boycotters are hurting is themselves. They are the ones who are missing out on the grand old experience of going to a ballgame.
