The upstart Marlins are coming to Citi Field for the first time tonight, and I think it's a perfect opportunity for the Mets to right the ship.

Everyone knows how the Marlins helped seal the Mets' fate each of the last two seasons. This year, they have been sitting atop the NL East, and are being praised by the media, especially for their stockade of young, strong pitching.

On the flip-side, the Mets have been regarded as a team who is not living up to their potential. They can't hit when it counts, their starting pitching is faulty, and their stadium isn't Metsy enough.

This is why the upcoming series is so important. This is a golden opportunity for the Mets to shut us all up, go out there and beat the fish in a decisive manner. We have short memories, so by going out there, and just playing baseball, without thinking, they can erase most of the negativity that's been surrounding this team since Opening Day.

If the opposite happens however, the mental superiority that the Marlins have been building on will be reinforced, and the Mets will try even harder to stop the flooding, which will make it flood even more.

After being reclusive for the last several years, partially due to jail time, Dwight Gooden has seemingly been everywhere in the last week or so. He has been at Citi Field on several occasions, made an appearance at Modell's, and has been very accessible to fans. See Graffitigate. After initially declining, he also attended the Shea Goodbye ceremony last year.

What's interesting to me is that someone who has had such drug and alcohol issues, and been charged for domestic abuse, is so loved by our fanbase. Even more so than many who have lived a straight-edge type of life. Here are a few reasons why.

The Josh Hamilton Effect

People love feel-good, comeback stories. Ask anyone who likes The Natural, and hates Million Dollar Baby. After heading into a post-career downward spiral, one of the "dead-end kids" has seemingly let the past go, and is trying to get his act together. Seeing him before Opening Day with Chris Carlin and Bobby O. was a positive sign for me that SNY and the Mets organization are welcoming him back, and his willingness to be in the public eye takes courage. Onward and upward. He forgave himself, now we have forgiven him. Even if he did throw a no-hitter for the Yankees.

Nostalgia

Doc reminds Mets fans of the 1986 team. The "Bad Boys" who won it all. The last Mets team to win it all, and it harkens back to better days where there were no concerns over "confidence" or "chemistry". When I was 9 years old, my first Mets shirt was a "Doctor KKKKKK" shirt, and I will always imagine him as he was - a freakishly good pitcher, who was the ace of the best Mets team I've ever seen. In our new stadium, that many think doesn't represent the "old" Mets, his face is a breath of fresh air. It also takes our minds off the current team's struggles, and reminds us why we became Mets fans in the first place.

We Want People to Succeed

It's human nature to root for people. That's one reason why there are so many sports fans - we want to see someone win. We internalize it, and feel like a part of  their success when they do. When Doc rose from the ashes like he seemingly has, it was natural for us to boost him up and welcome him back with open arms. Unless you have ego problems, and like to knock people down to feel better about yourself, you want to see Doc do well because it makes you feel better about humanity. Maybe that's a stretch but you catch my drift.

Yesterday, I got to Citi Field for the first time, and let me just say that those who are criticizing it are crazy. Do you not remember Shea at all? It is a fair point to say that some of the seats cut off certain views, and there are some slight obstructions. Also, it didn't scream "The Mets Play Here" very loudly either. But, as far as ballparks go, there is little more you could ask for.

Mary and I first circled the whole park, and the outside -with all the banners and player images- was like a timeline of Mets history. Especially by the Left Field gate, where it starts with Tom Seaver and ends with Johan Santana in chronological order. I loved it.

The Fan Walk was fun to see. The bricks ranged from simple to funny to sentimental, but were all arranged in a cool, spiraly pattern. We then proceeded to the Jackie Robinson (if he played today, he would be unfortunately be called J-Rob) Rotunda and were very impressed. First of all, it was full of people  but it never felt crowded. We got the obligatory #42 picture out of the way, then explored the rotunda for a while from all angles. I could have probably spent an hour in there, and it was quite awe-inspiring.

Then, we hopped on the escalator, and saw Cowbell Man snapping pics with fans. Good to see him back, and it was probably the first time I realized I was really at a Mets game again. We walked around the entire field level for about 45 minutes, and I kept expecting security to say "where's your ticket", but no such thing occurred. We wandered down the first base side and it reminded me much of a combination between the ballparks in Detroit, Baltimore, and Philly, which was both weird yet exciting because those parks are great.

The World's Fare Market was very unexpected. All types of snacks and drinks that you would never dream of seeing at Shea were on sale. Plus, the benches and tables everywhere were another reminder that I was not at Shea anymore. The likeness of the Kosciuszko Bridge which connects Brooklyn and Queens, but symbolically the old and new of NY baseball, was a wonderful touch. Actually gave me the chills. I'm not sure if that is the intention, but I'll pretend that it was.

What I would encounter next took some time to register. The beer island with more than just Bud Light and Bud. How could this be?! Then, from right to left...a dunk tank, mini Citi Field for kids, batting cages, Blue Smoke, Shake Shack, the old skyline from Shea, Taqueria, Box Frites, and tables with seats were everywhere. I know I'm missing something but you get the point. I was like, "where are we?!". We laughed that we would never have to drink crappy beer, soggy fries, or uncooked chicken tenders again. Also, there was no longer the need to grab a $5 footlong before heading to Shea. Every food option you could want was here, and get this, it seemed cheaper than Shea. We got two pulled pork sandwiches, two waters, a Bud Light,a Blue Smoke Ale (good stuff), and fries for $42. It doesn't seem cheap, but consider the fact that you would get much lower quality food for about the same price or more at Shea, and the value has certainly gone way up. Plus you can still get the Nathan's crinkle fries if that's your thing.

After trying to drop the chick in the dunk tank (into foam, not water which was disappointing), and meeting Mr. Met again at his "sit on Santa's lap" type stage, it was off to our seats in the Promenade.

We seemed closer to the action than when we were at Shea. My one criticism is that the railing and steps people used to climb upward were blocking home plate entirely, and although it was clear, I missed many a swing. Also, the color of the wall was black, which I'm sure helps the players, but again, nothing really screamed Mets to me. Lastly, unless you are an old park such as Wrigley and Fenway, there is no logical reason to build a field with such little foul territory. Fans can interfere (and did), and players can get hurt. Also, I miss the Azek Trimboards strikeout counter too. Whatever, the place was awesome. I didn't feel like I was at a Mets Home Game though and I suspect that will take time. I do like that there are fans in the outfield now as it seems a bit more intimidating with everyone closer to the action, plus you can see less of Queens in the background which is a good thing.

After the game, we roamed around again, and noticed the seats that fans are griping about in Left Field. I get that it's slightly obstructed, but y'all are crazy.

Then we found the Caesar's Club. Wow. You can supposedly go in there during or after the game and grab a drink in a very luxurious space. I don't know if this will always be the case, but again, they weren't ushering us out!  The Caesar's Club is a place I expect to find myself quite often. It seemed like a very nice hotel restaurant.

Oh yeah! And there are accessible elevators everywhere with possibly the nicest Mets employees I have ever run across. The bathrooms are quite nice too. Well done Wilpons.

Overall, it is a great park. Do they need to Metify it a bit? Yes. But all you complainers out there really need to chill out. I have been reading about Citi Field for a long time now, and it exceeded my expectations. Although I knew the food was better, I didn't really allow myself to believe it. But it is. The same can be true for pretty much all of it, and it is hard not to be proud of the new Mets' ballpark. However, I still have unintentionally been calling it Shea. I wonder if that will ever change.

Check out my flickr set for some of my favorite shots from the day, and I will post an extended slideshow in the right railing later today.

My sister informed me about Mark "The Bird" Fidrych's tragic end this evening. Of all the players who I've watched play this game, literally no one has been as captivating and as intriguing to me as Mark Fidrych, even though I've only watched him in replays.

OK, Turk Wendell was entertaining, but Fidrych was the original. Fans would pack Yankee Stadium in their lean years just to see Fidrych throw, and get this...they would cheer for an opposing pitcher!

Here's an interview that exemplifies who he was:



Goodbye to a great part of MLB history.

Misery loves company, so tonight I will be heading to Landsdowne Road, located at 599 10th Avenue for the game.

There are drink specials and free drinks are given out for every David Wright home run.  Check out their website for more info.

The only time I was ever in Citi Field was when it was being built. To see what it once was - a muddy, sloppy, mess - check out my Flickr pics.

I am also harboring some very sour grapes towards those who are going tonight. Very jealous, to the point that I don't want to hear your stories about how great it is there, or see any of your first hand pics. Lucky (or rich) bastards!

I am very glad to have meaningful baseball back, but I am not glad to have Chris Carlin as the replacement for Matt Yallof.



Every time I see him, I can't help but think of this famous clip.



It needs to stop. And while I'm on the subject, why does everyone at SNY have way too much makeup on, and tweeze their eyebrows to the point of no return? (See Brandon Tierney, Jonas Schwartz, and Eamon McAnaney). I'm just sayin'.

While in Miami for work, I was able to get to my first Marlins game at Dolphins Stadium.

Here are a few of my observations:

I got a seat in Row 1, two hours before game time, for $28. Gotta love the small market teams.

Cheerleaders are better than Cowbell Man

It felt like a Binghamton Mets game. There were maybe 5,000 people there.

Despite leading by the score 8-0, none of those 5,000 left the game early. I was surprised by that since Mets fans usually leave by the seventh when the team is winning or losing by that much. BUT, there was no traffic to beat, so maybe that's why.

The Marlins look good...can't say the same for the Nationals.

Check out my slideshow from the game. I think what surprised me most about the whole experience was that literally no one was in the bathroom when I went in. Pic enclosed to prove it.

Here are a few of the best: