A New Field is in the Air

Only 30 days left.

One month is what stands between us and the brand new Citi Field; a new home with new expectations. Actually, a new home with old expectations. All we've ever wanted to do is to win it all (as does every team) and moving next door won't change that a bit. In a way it's refreshing to leave behind Shea because to tell you the truth, the last 2 (or 3) years are something we should want to forget (and for all those who actually bought parts and pieces of Shea to reminisce over - have fun with that).

But if we sat down and made a list of all those times at Shea, there are memories we all have that are worth remembering. Good and Bad. Ours to talk about (and walk on) forever.

We will now...park our cars in the same place that Carlos Beltran stood motionless with a bat drooped over his shoulder.

We will now...scalp tickets in the exact spot that Endy Chavez made that miraculous catch (and then threw out the runner for a stunning double play).

We will now...run by the spot that Mookie placed the ball through Buckner's legs as we head on over to the entrance of Citi Field.

We will now...mob concession stands outside the park, in the very location that Robin Ventura was mobbed by his teammates, never finishing his trot around the bases.

We will now...walk home crying, (sometimes), in the same area that Willie Randolph walked home with tears after cleaning out his office post Father's Day last year.

We will now...tailgate and enjoy our BBQ's in the same spot that Armando Benitez was smoked for ninth inning home run after ninth inning home run.

We will now...slap high fives with random fans as we celebrate a momentous Mets' occasion (and yes, not too far from where Lastings Milledge did the very same thing).

We will now...put on our blue and orange jersey's in the old airspace of the Shea clubhouse. The same place that... (This sentence was supposed to have a Scott Kazmir line but due to the actions of a person who shall not be named, we don't have anything to say about Mr. Kazmir). Thanks Jim Duquette.

But most importantly...

We will now...move on.

We have new experiences awaiting us in a building that makes the old one look ancient. We will take the memories we choose to bring along with us, and the ones we leave behind will be left there forever. We are starting anew. There is much to be written and even more to be forgotten. Sometimes though, the only way to erase something is if we write over it. And what better tools to write with than a young(ish) team, a new ball park, and a we-can-win-now attitude. Let the Phillies be the Phillies and the Marlins can be the Marlins. The Braves can have Lowe and the Nationals can enjoy their new park. We are the Mets. We care only about the Mets.

The Phillies won in 2008. We are now in 2009.
The Mets lost in 2006, 2007 & 2008. We are now in 2009.
The Mets collapsed in Shea. We are now in Citi Field.

The Team. The Time. The Mets.