Nobody loves sarcasm more than this kid but this is nothing to joke about. Whether the man simply slipped or was sliding down the railing for kicks is unknown at this time (different reports from different websites) but the point is that a 36 year old man, a father, died at Shea last night. We here at Global NYM offer our deepest condolences to the family of Antonio Nararainsami.

The ESPN story can be found here.
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In appreciation of the 2008 season being the last season for the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. I will be taking all of us back on a trip down memory road, to relive some of the great moments to take place at Shea.

Part one of my series brings right back to the beginning, on April 17, 1964. It was on that day that the Mets would take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first ever opening day at Shea.

Jack Fisher took the mound for the Mets that day, and the first batter he faced was Ducky Schofield (father of Dick Schofield, who would play with the Mets in the early 1990's). Though Schofield popped out for the ballpark's first out, the Pirates would eventually go on to record the first win at the ballpark defeating the Mets 4-3. Bob Friend got the win for Pittsburgh, while Ed Bauta took the loss for the Mets.

In the bottom of the first Tim Harkness took his place in Mets and Shea Stadium history as the first Mets batter to come to the plate at Shea. In his first at bat he grounded out to Schofield at shortstop. The man who made the put out at first was none other than future Met Donn Clendenon. Clendenon of course would become one of the leaders of the 1969 Miracle Mets, with that special season culminating in him being named the 1969 World Series MVP. Harkness would record the first ever Mets hit at Shea in the bottom of the third inning.

That day a few future Hall of Famers (all Pittsburgh players of course) took their place in Shea history. Willie Stargell recorded the ballpark's first hit and home run, all on one swing in the second inning. In addition to Stargell etching his name in Shea history, Roberto Clemente would be the ballpark's first strike out victim as Fisher would sit him down in the first. In the sixth inning Bill Mazeroski (one of the greatest defensive second basemen of all time mind you), would be the third Hall of Famer to be linked to opening day at Shea, as he made the first error in the ballpark's history.

It would be almost a week before Ron Hunt would hit the first Mets home run at Shea, but never the less, a new era in the great history of not just baseball in New York, but the City of New York was born. Though the Mets lost that first game, it would only be four years before Shea hosted a championship sports season, and five years before the Mets would win their first World Series. Shea Stadium, had arrived and a new era had begun.
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On April 17, 1964 the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets faced off in the first ever opening day contest at Shea Stadium. 48,736 fans saw the Pirates beat the Mets that opening day in Queens, and in the 44 seasons since many millions more have made their way through the turnstiles to see the Mets play baseball.

On April 8, 2008, Shea Stadium will host it's 45th and final home opener, as the Mets welcome the defending National League East Champion Philadelphia Phillies into town. The Mets enter the game with a 2-3 record after receiving a two game punch in the gut from the Atlanta Braves this weekend. The Mets big bats didn't come through in clutch situations, and the pitching was wildly erratic (save Mr. Santana). The Phillies enter the series with a 3-4 record, and seem to have just as many question marks as the Mets do in the early parts of the season. They are coming off of a four game split with Cincinnati, in which many holes in their bullpen were exploited.

The Phillies won the season series twelve games to six on their way to winning the NL East last season. That's all I have to say about that.

In game one of the series the Mets will send out Oliver Perez (1-0) who looked awesome in his first start of the season. Perez went six innings, struck out eight, and left a zero on the scoreboard, as the Mets dismantled the Florida Marlins last Wednesday 13-0. This game was the last we have seen of the Mets, as they have gone missing since. The Phillies counter with the ageless Jamie Moyer (0-0). Just to let you know how old Jamie Moyer is, let it be known that I have a baseball card of his from Fleer '87. He was a member of the Texas Rangers. At that point, Juan Gonzalez and Nolan Ryan hadn't joined the team yet, and they still played their home games in Arlington Stadium. That's how old Jamie Moyer is. Not too mention Moyer looked sluggish in his first start as he couldn't get past the fourth inning. This game will start at 1:10 PM, and can be seen on SNY. For those of us Mets fans in the Philadelphia market (moia) the game will be broadcast on CSN.

Game two of the series will start at 7:10 on Wednesday. The Mets send out Mike Pelfrey (0-0) for his first start of the season. With the subtraction of Pedro Martinez from the Mets rotation, big things are now expected from Big Mike. Pelfrey needs to make a statement more than any other pitcher in this series. His value is diminishing rapidly, and so is the patience of Mets fans. I really want to like this guy, but in the past year or so he hasn't given me much to like. This is a big chance for him. Kyle Kendrick (1-0) goes to the mound for the Phillies in this game. The Phillies are big on this kid, but he no doubt escaped with a win last Friday against Cincy. In five innings Kendrick gave up four runs and only struck out one. Those numbers won't get it done on most days against the Mets. Then again most days Mike Pelfrey doesn't pitch. This game can be seen on SNY in New York and CN8 in Philadelphia. It is also ESPN2's Wednesday Night Game of the Week.

At 7:10 PM on Thursday night, the Mets and Phillies will close out the first round of their 2008 season. The Mets will send Nelson Figueroa (0-0) out for his first start of the season. Figueroa has seen some bullpen work so far this season, but this is his first start of the season. Figueroa steps into the rotation in place of Martinez who pulled something or other (does it really matter at this point). Figueroa was day and night in his two appearances so far this season. He threw a scoreless inning against Florida last Wednesday, and then looked horrible in giving up two runs against Atlanta on Saturday. Figueroa will go up against Adam Eaton (0-0). Eaton looked solid in his first start of the season last Saturday against Cincinnati. In going seven and two thirds innings, he gave up three earned and six hits, while striking out two. He was awarded a no decision after Phillies closer Tom Gordon pulled a Braden Looper and gave the game to Cincinnati in the ninth. This game can be viewed on SNY in New York and CSN in Philadelphia.

The Mets and Phillies have both started 2008 off on the wrong foot. The Mets are most in need of a statement against a division team, as they were tossed around like a rag doll by Atlanta. The Phillies didn't look horrible against Cincinnati, and if not for Gordon's blow up they would have won three out of those four games. Both of these teams know that this series could set the tone for the whole season for each team. There is no love loss between these two rivals, and the crowd at Shea will most likely be more hostile than usual. Look for an exciting series with most every game being well contested. With that being said, I hope we murder them.

PS: Congratulations to the Kansas Jayhawks for winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. A title well deserved. Also, the Stanley Cup playoffs start on Wednesday, go Devils, Rangers Suck. JD
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First off I would like to wish all involved in the Global New York Mets Empire a Merry Chirstmas. I hope all you good boys and girls got what was coming to you, and all you naughty children…well hopefully you got what was coming to you also. This Christmas I didn’t ask my parents for much, and I didn’t ask Santa for anything; but privately to myself, all I really wanted was to see a certain few things from not only my beloved Mets, but from some of my other beloved sports teams. Here’s what I am hoping will be a late Christmas present.

Omar Makes A Move: This was is quite obvious. It seems like our fearless leader is having a lot of fear this off season. Our top priority going into the off season was to sure up our pitching. Since then the only moves we have made involve some guy named Matt Wise (we’ll see), and resigning Juan Padilla (and here we thought he vanished). Dan Haren has gone to Arizona for a bunch of prospects, and the push for Minnesota ace Johan Santana seems absolutely useless. We still have a hole to fill in our rotation, and numerous holes to fill in our bullpen, because Aaron Heilman can’t do it all.

The Next Anna Benson: There is no man in this network of Mets fans that does not miss Anna Benson and her brilliant off field distractions. I actually dressed up as Santa Claus for little kids this year and all I could think about was “Man, I wish Anna Benson were my Mrs. Claus.” Yeah I’ve heard that some guys have hot wives, but all baseball players have hot wives, I want my Anna Benson back, and I want my sexy Mrs. Claus back.

A New York Mets Christmas Song: Can you imagine how awesome a New York Mets Christmas song would be. I’m talking all out here, with horns, and a giant choir, and electric guitars like those Siberian dudes. Too bad we won’t have the hip hop styles of Lastings Milledge to grace our New York Mets iPod play lists. I can hear it now. “Omar’s making his list, he’s checking it twice, and three times, and four times, and five times, and six times, and he’s still not going to sign a pitcher for our roster.”

A World Series Win For Our Last Season At Shea: I think this is what we all want. Shea does have to go, especially if we want attract players further down the road. It’s also about time that New York City got into building new sports facilities for their mostly awesome teams. Shea needs to go out with a bang though. It may not be Wrigley, or Fenway, or that other ballpark in New York, but it’s our masterpiece. Shea is where we built our first baseball memories as children, and the only fitting way for the giant rainbow to go out is with its third World Series trophy. So Omar, Willie, team, get it together for us, for one more run, let our stadium go out with a bang.

In Other Sports…

A Run First Offense From The New York Football Giants: In case Coach Coughlin forgot, the New York Giants have been successful in doing two things when they win championships; defense and running the ball. This philosophy was proven in Buffalo (WIDE RIGHT) last weekend when Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw made mincemeat of the Buffalo defense. Even when the legend Phil Simms was our QB, he wasn’t Montana, Elway, or Marino; but he didn’t have to be. We won ballgames by running the ball and Simms playing smart. Maybe if Eli, who is no better or worse than Simms, was able to run his offense like that, we might win more football games.

P.S. Down with New England

Rangers Fans To Stop Speaking Forever: For the past twelve years all I have ever heard from Rangers fans is “Wah the Devils play the trap, wah boring hockey, wah, wah.” Save it big guys. Let me let you guys in on a dose of reality. For the 12th straight season your team consists of overrated, over paid, over the hill, over on the wrong side of the Atlantic hockey players. For the 12th straight season you are inferior to the Devils, and the way you guys are going you are even almost inferior to the Islanders. No matter what rule changes you guys make in the NHL, there is always one constant and that is the Devils on top of the Atlantic Division (keep in mind that we let Philadelphia win every now and again). Check the stats, more total goals are scored in Devils games then in Rangers games this season…SO TRAP THAT!!!!

A New Start For Junior At Hendrick: Daytona is less than two months away, and my boy Dale Jr. is now teamed with Gordo and JJ (I smell juggernaut). Hopefully Dale can keep his car moving this year, and his engine from exploding. That alone would be an awesome Christmas present.

The End Of Isaih: You know, I’m not really a Knicks fan, but Isaihgate is embarrassing. Everyone involved in the New York Knicks upper management needs to be fired and banned from participating in any basketball management groups ever again. Isaih, you are brining shame to what was once a great basketball organization, with your stubbornness and unwillingness to just resign. Show some dignity and walk away now, before NBA fans forget how good of a player you once were.

A Led Zeppelin Show In America: Yeah I know this has nothing to do with sports, but Zeppelin has been the background music for Ultimate Highlight Reel for the past month, so I’m going to talk about it. You need to stop teasing us. You guys brought the house down in London, and you could be the best draw at Madison Square Garden this year (because nothing else really productive goes on at MSG). Get across the ocean, awaken the God’s with your power, and make my life complete.

That’s all I got. Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Years.


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The New York Mets today released their regular schedule for 2008, their final year at Shea Stadium, which has been their home since 1964. The Mets' final Opening Day at Shea will be Tuesday, April 8 when they host the National League East Division Champion Philadelphia Phillies at 1:10 p.m. The Mets will conclude their 45th regular season at Shea Sunday, September 28 at 1:10 p.m. against the Florida Marlins.

Joe Torre makes his return to New York when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town for a four-game series, May 29-June 1. The N.L. West Champion Arizona Diamondbacks are in New York June 10-12; the N.L. Champion Colorado Rockies visit July 11-13.

In Interleague play, the Mets face the Texas Rangers June 13-15 and the Seattle Mariners June 23-25. The Mets will host the second set of the home-and-home Subway Series the weekend of June 27-29.

The Mets will play the final week of Major League Baseball's regular season at Shea when the N.L. Central Champion Chicago Cubs come to New York for a four-game series September 22-25 before the Marlins close out the regular season with a weekend series September 26- 28.

Regular starting times will be 7:10 p.m. for night games and 1:10 p.m. for day games, with the exceptions of Thursday, July 24 vs. the Phillies at 12:10 p.m. and Thursday, August 7 against the San Diego Padres at 12:10 p.m. Game selections under MLB's national telecast agreements with FOX and ESPN leave most Saturday and Sunday games with starting times that will be announced at a later date. The 2008 schedule is subject to change.

The Mets open the 2008 season on the road against the Marlins Tuesday, April 1 at 4:05 p.m. It marks the second time in franchise history that the Mets have started a season in Florida. The Mets are 12-10 when beginning the season on the road and 29-17 all-time on Opening Day. The Mets and Marlins have night games on April 2-3. The season-opening road trip concludes with a weekend series in Atlanta.

The Mets will play their final three regular season games at Yankee Stadium May 16-18. A month later, New York travels to the west coast to face the defending American League West Champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim June 16-18.

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I can't lie. I almost forgot it's Wednesday. I haven't much to say about last night's performance from the Mets; or the night before for that matter. To add to that, I haven't had cable for about a week as I just moved. Listening to the game on WFAN only does so much for me.

What I do want to rant about it Citi Field. Normally I'm a bit indifferent on the happenings beyond Shea's center field wall. I'll miss Shea...but not too much. I'm ready for something new, something that is comparable to the other beautiful parks out there. No matter what they call it, Citi Field is going to be that thing. So each time I go to Shea I try to soak in the steep fatal stairs of the upper deck, the seats that slant towards the field because they're broken, and the never ending concrete ramps. April 2009 cannot come soon enough.

Last trip to Shea I had some time to kill in the horrendous August weather and check out the Citi Field preview. Those of you who have not gone through it, it's basically a small sample of what the field will be like. They fill you in on all the quirks, the decorative scheme, replica lockers of Reyes and Wright that will be in the clubhouse, an actual suite, etc. Unfortunately I came away a little disappointed, despite how nice and incredible in all seemed.

The seats, a 360-degree concourse, suites I'll never sit in, elite seats right above the bullpen, a right field porch that hangs over the field, restaurants abound, a new apple...it's going to be great folks. But with all this is a ballpark this is so dedicated to Ebbets Field, it's appreciative and almost offensive at the same time. The bar and grill area on the first level is named after Ebbets Field, which won't be called Field Level, rather some uppity name for Field Level. The glass will even have etched photos of Ebbets Field. The tile in the bathrooms and concession areas is a feature taken from Ebbets Field, yet adapted in blue and orange. Of course the outside of the park is derived from Ebbets Field as we all know. And then the rotunda with the tribute to Jackie Robinson. It's all well and good. I get the connection from the Dodgers to the Mets and I appreciate the attempt to honor the history. Yet at the same time I almost felt ignored as a Mets fan.

The only obvious tie over in this preview from Shea to the new ballpark was that the carpet that will be in Citi Field has the neon men from the outside on Shea on it. Okay, that's a clever touch. But even the apple will be new at this point. I know Shea is a dump; but it's been the place that the Mets have called home for the majority of their existence. Fans have come to Shea to root for their Mets for years; to watch a World Series, a Game 7, Opening Day, or just a regular Tuesday night. Some of us attended our first ballgame at Shea. There are Mets fan who are fans simply because they used to be fans of the Brooklyn Dodgers. So I understand the special place that both the Dodgers and Ebbets Field hold for many. At the same time, those of us who will be filling the seats at Citi Field for years to come grew up as Shea Stadium grew old. Shea Stadium is what resonates with us and that is our history. I want to know that part of that history will be recognized when we move next door. A new park is more than necessary. But after walking through that preview, I felt now more than ever that when Shea comes down piece by piece, a part of being a Mets fan will be gone for good. Read More...

There is a large majority of the staff at Global NYM not fortunate enough to attend Mets games on a regular basis, including myself. So when you decide to go to Shea you usually pick the game in advance and hope for a good one. Last night, I got lucky...again.

A year ago I was caught the game against the Cardinals in which the Mets staged that ridiculous comeback that was completed by Beltran's walk-off. Last night was just as good. Next week I'll be back on a more serious note. Today I'm on a bit of a time crunch with some sketchy free interent. So here's a few thoughts from my night at Shea...

There was a guy in the section next to me who became frustrated in the 9th when Wagner loaded the bases. At one of those moments when it's relatively quiet, he stood up and billowed, "CAN ANYONE PITCH ON THIS TEAM?!!" That's exactly what I felt at that moment.

The amount of boos last night were incredibly misdirected by those in attendance. Booing Sosa and Wagner was not really that necessary.

The weather was beyond disgusting. If we would have lost that game, it would not have made me happy that I sat in the rain to also lose feeling in my toes.

The Mets powers that be tried to convince me that last night's attendance was approx. 48, 000. Were you watching? There were not 48, 000 seats filled. It's too bad though...they missed a good one.

Excuse me Mr. Vendor...the pretzels at Shea are not slammin', jammin'. Yes those are the exact words he used.

Who is this guy named Carlos Beltran? And where was he from April until August? Stellar night from Beltran after being named NL Player of the Week.

If Castillo had not earned his full set of stripes after his big hit against Atlanta, then he is now officially outfitted in the orange and blue.

If you have too many drinks from a pineapple while in the Dominican Republic, you too may be able to belly flop like Moises Alou.

It felt like I was watching a different team at times last night. They fought back, at home, and refused to die last night. The pitching was mediocre again, but this team finally flexed it's offensive muscles. Hopefully the Mets can keep building the momentum and get into a real nice groove heading down the stretch. I'll be at today's game as well, which will have a tough job of outdoing last night's. My heart's got a bit of a soft spot for walk offs. Read More...