Some gloomy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of fans streaming into Citi Field on Sunday, March 29 as the public was able to get its first inside peak at the new home of the Mets.
Even though the Mets players were still in Florida for spring training, their new home got use that day when the St. John’s University Red Storm took on the Georgetown Hoyas, with the Hoyas winning 6-4.
For 53-year-old Ritchie Hallberg, it was a saddening to walk towards the new stadium and see where Shea Stadium formerly stood. A life-long Mets fan, he said he has many memories of going to Shea to see games with his parents.
However, Hallberg said that he did like what he saw of Citi Field, even though he will always have a soft spot for and will miss “good old” Shea. He also said that the Mets winning a couple of World Series titles in the new stadium would help him get over any sadness very quickly.
The first game at Citi Field was already yielding new memories for some in attendance. Smithtown resident Aaron Graham caught the second foul ball to be hit in the stadium, which he said was very exiting and something he never thought would happen.
Graham is a St. John’s fan, albeit not a big one, but said he was at the game to see the new stadium.
“It’s a great stadium. It’s just so much of an upgrade from Shea Stadium,” Graham said, adding that it was very fan friendly. “You can tell they really looked at what would be best for the fans.”
Kew Gardens resident Julio Garcia and 9-year-old Daniel also came out to see Citi Field because of being huge Mets fans, although Daniel did say that he was hoping St. John’s would win.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Daniel said of the upcoming season.
Daniel said that the new stadium was great, although he did see some things that still needed to be fixed still. Garcia said that it’s time that something of the quality of Citi Field was in New York City.
“The space is different,” he said. “I think it’s going to be fun to watch the season from here.”
Even though they will miss Shea Stadium, the two said that they will make new memories at Citi Field.
St. John’s alumnus MaryEllen Davis, of Rockville Center, came in part to see her alma mater play but also to see the new stadium, whereas husband Chris came solely to get a look at Citi Field.
“It’s incredible,” MaryEllen said. “It’s a more welcoming stadium.”
The couple said that they explored almost the entire stadium. They said that, although they will always have sentimental feelings towards Shea, there are many positive aspects to Citi Field, including it being more open and the upper deck being much better.
Like many other fans, the Davises said that they will definitely be returning to Citi Field during baseball season. At first, they were concerned about the cost of tickets, but have found that there are tickets that are “still accessible to the average fan.”
