Take Me Out To The... Press Box!?!

So, today was a very exciting day! It all started last night after the show...

... Brian's hairdresser from home is married to a former New York Mets player and they had gotten tickets to the SNL dress rehearsal. Brian told me and Julie that they may be able to get us tickets for the Mets game he next day, if we were interested in going. So, we decided to go!

Julie and I took the train to Shea Stadium in Queens. It was sprinkling when we left 305... but by the time we got to the stadium it was pouring! So, while we waited for Brian to show up we ducked into the Mets souvenir tent. We wandered around five tables of random overpriced clothes, toys and baby bottles with Mets logos on them. I was very entertained by a dancing figurine of Mr. Met (their mascot) that played Smash Mouth's "All Star".



So, Brian showed up and we tried to find the will call ticket line. After waiting for about fifteen minutes in the rain, we got tickets which read "Press" where the section and row should have been printed... which was interesting. So, after some wandering around and getting directions from several security officers we were escorted (yes, escorted) to... the PRESS BOX! It was AMAZING!

There were lots of big round tables set up with tablecloths and floral centerpieces. There were tables and tables of food- shrimp, Nathan's hot dogs, pasta bar, chocolate fountain- it was pretty amazing.





The game itself was pretty incredible. The Mets were playing the Marlins from Florida. This game was being played for the Pennan, which would get one of these teams one step closer to the World Series... so a lot was riding on this game. If they were to win, they would be getting closer to the Series and would play a few more games at Shea. But if they were to lose... that would be the last game to be played at Shea Stadium. They are in the process of finishing a new stadium to be opened this coming spring. So... we would either see the home team get closer to the world championships... or be witness to the last game ever played at Shea Stadum.

Unfortunately, he Mets lost the game. However, this meant that the "Shea Goodbye" ceremony (clever, huh?) would take place. Many of the Mets alums were called to the field to tumultuous applause... most of the people I had never heard of... but some names I had heard once upon a blue moon. Yogi Berra, Mike Piazza (always makes me think of Pizza), and... some others who I have sine forgotten.

They also honored some of the crew who have been a part of the Shae's history, and then had each of the players touch home base for one last time. hey concluded with a fireworks display and people started to disperse.

We were afraid that we would be swamped on the subway, but were lucky enough to have quite enough space on our car. We went back to Chevy's for dinner, where Julie and I ventured to on our very first night in New York... Then Julie and I paid a visit to our dear friend Duane Reed on the way home.

So, in conclusion, given that it rained a lot today, I think it would be safe to say it was a very good day after all. And now, off ot a good nigh of sleep!