Goodbye Shea Hello Citi!

The Mets have had a great dynasty in Shea stadium. They have now built a new stadium called Citi Field. They broke the ground for Shea on October 28, 1961. Since then they have put on great shows and other sports games. The Jets and Giants both played there. The Yankees themselves played two seasons there while their stadium was being renovated. They also hosted the Beetles concert which was a record setting attendence record at 55,600. The Mets won two world series and they entered into four of them, but they were in the playoffs many more times. They have been playin there for well over 40 years. The Mets now have built a new home and it is opening in the season of 2009. To make more memories in the new stadium they have put a Jackie Robinson Rotunda. At the front of the stadium there is a huge spot were they honor the African American player. When the people step into this rotunda they will think about his remarkable journey. In the floors there are engravings that emphasize his nine values that his daughter thought of. Courage, Excellence, Persistence, Justice, Team Work, Commitment, Citizenship, Determination, and Integrity. These are the nine values that his daughter and Sharon Robinson thought of. They will also have Jackie's number because of him breaking the color barrier 61+ years ago. The Mets have made this stadium amazing and hope to set many records and hope to bring home some world series titles. The new stadium will hold over 45,000 people and cost over $850 million to build. The Mets are ready to start off a great season in the new stadium and hope with the new additions to the team they will be able to succeed past they playoffs and into the World Series. They are starting off fresh and are ready to play ball in Citi Field!

Holes to be filled!

The Mets are taking shots at many free agents that are still out there to fill in the spots of their pitching rotation and the holes in the field. Recently they have signed infielder Alex Cora. Many people don't think he is that good, but the Mets need everything that they can get at the moment especially at second base and in the infield. Their next move will hopefully be a starting pitcher even though that they have many contenders pitching for the open spots. One pitcher that has to pitch his way into the spot is rookie Jonathon Niese. Last year when he came up from the minors and pitched a couple games because John Maine got hurt he threw the ball very well. He pitched 3 games with a 7.07 ERA allowing 20 hits and 11 strikeouts. The Mets also recently have signed Tim Redding who is a veteran pitcher from the Washington Nationals. Last year Tim Redding wasn't on a good enough team to show how good he can pitch. With pitching 33 games and only getting 21 decisions he went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA. Everyone thinks that he sucks but he has great potential as a veteran and can succeed anywhere that he goes. The Mets have been making very smart decisions and moves left and right during the offseason. Let's hope that they keep going and sign more free agents that will help them increase their chances in going into the playoffs this season.

Itching for a Pitching

Johan Santana has been wanting to pitch since his last pitch on September 27, 2008. At the end he went through surgery on the torn meniscus in his knee. He has been waiting for the start of the season to come. He takes everything day by day and wants to pitch for his country in the World Baseball Classic series. All he can do is just wait for what the doctors have to say about his condition, but come spring training with the New York Mets he has to be in shape and ready to pitch. He is just waiting for the moment to come where he will be able to throw his first pitch since September of 2008. He hopes that his surgery heals quickly and that he won't sustain another minor injury in the same area from pitching too much.

"I'd love to represent my country," he said. "But I'm not going to do anything crazy. We'll see how everything is with my knee. I'm hoping the doctors will give me the OK.

"The team will have to approve of [the course of action]. It's a medical decision. The reality is I haven't pitched or played in a game since September. They're going to keep an eye on me. I'm going to go one step at a time." "Everything feels good now," Santana said.

Santana has been ready for this day to come for a long time.