Mets Spring Training Home to be Named Clover Park

PRESS RELEASE – The spring training home of the New York Mets and regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets, New York’s Advanced-A minor league affiliate, will have a new name next season. The venue, formerly known as First Data Field, will be called Clover Park beginning in February 2020. This change follows the 2019 acquisition of First Data by Fiserv, a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology.

$57 Million Makeover Approved for Mets Spring Training Home

New York Mets spring training will remain in St. Lucie County (FL) for the next 25 years after the County Commission Tuesday approved a $57 million renovation of First Data Field.  Read more here.

Fireflies, Mets Extend PDC

The Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) and New York Mets today announced that they are extending their Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2020 season.  Read more here.

Chiefs Sold to Mets, 400 to Collect from Stock Deemed Abandoned

Nearly 400 people whose Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) stock was deemed abandoned two years ago will get it back in time to collect nearly $1.1 million from the $18-million sale of the franchise to the New York Mets.  Read more here.  Read about the approved sale here.

Mets to Acquire Syracuse Chiefs

The New York Mets have reached an agreement to buy the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) and make the baseball team its top minor league affiliate.  Read more here.

Mikkeller to Open Brewery at Citi Field

Denmark-based Mikkeller will open up a 4,000 square-foot brewery and 60-tap bar-restaurant and beer shop at the New York Mets’ Citi Field this fall.  The brewery, Mikkeller NYC, will be the company’s first East Coast location and 32nd location worldwide.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Mr. Met Returns Reformed and Forgiven (Sort of)

A day after the person inside the Mr. Met costume was caught on video making an obscene gesture to a fan, the team said someone else was handling mascot duty at Thursday’s game against Milwaukee.  Read more here.

Mets Fan Honors Fellow Fan, Flushing Remains Ballpark by Ballpark

The New York Mets were leading the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, after two innings when Tom McDonald stood up from his upper-deck seat at Citi Field.  Read more and view photos here.

Talking Mets’ VP of Ballpark Operations

Sue Lucchi grew up in the Whitestone section of Queens (NY), in a house her grandfather built.  She was a passionate New York Mets fan and wore Keith Hernandez‘s No. 17 as she played soccer and softball through high school.  Read more here.

MLB Coming to London?

The Olympic Stadium could stage a New York Mets Major League baseball game after the Mayor of London declared their owner was “very receptive” to being them being the first team to play in Europe.  Read more here.

Mets’ Citi Field Revenue Up 30 Percent

The New York Mets’ ballpark-related revenue reported to bondholders rose nearly 30 percent last year thanks to the team’s run to the World Series. The increase marked the end of five consecutive years of declines since Citi Field opened in 2009.  Read more here.

Introducing the New Coca-Cola Corner at Citi Field

The New York Mets have announced changes at Citi Field for the 2016 season, including the new Coca-Cola Corner.  Read more and view photos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Despite On-Field Success, Pepsi Ditching Mets

Say farewell to the Pepsi Porch and giant Pepsi sign at Citi Field.  Pepsi, a marquee sponsor at the ballpark since it opened in 2009, will not renew its deal with the New York Mets even though the team finally turned things around on the field.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Comparing the World Series Ballparks

As the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets prepare to meet in Game 1 of the 2015 MLB World Series on Tuesday, Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com has posted his annual comparison of the two ballparks we’ll see in this year’s Fall Classic.  An interesting tidbit: Kauffman Stadium and Citi Field rank #4 and #7, respectively, in Mock’s ranking of all 30 MLB stadiums.  Read more here.

Columbia Professional Baseball Announces Affiliation with New York Mets

PRESS RELEASE – Hardball Capital, the New York Mets and the City of Columbia today announced that Columbia’s new Minor League Baseball team will be the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. The Mets affiliate currently plays in Savannah, GA. While located in Savannah, the team has won ten South Atlantic

B-Met, Mets Extend Affiliation

PRESS RELEASE – Binghamton Mets and New York Mets are proud to announce a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract, securing the B-Mets as New York’s Double-A affiliate through the 2020 season. Binghamton Mets president Mike Urda shared the news at the team’s “Welcome Back B-Mets” dinner on Tuesday

Mets to Install 62% Larger Video Board

PRESS RELEASE – The New York Mets announced today they are installing a new Daktronics high definition Citi Field centerfield video board that is 62% larger than the original screen. Beginning this week, Daktronics will design, manufacture and install at Citi Field one of the first 13HD LED centerfield video board displays inside a professional baseball venue that will be 62% bigger

Reflecting on Shea Stadium Development on 6th/50th Anniversaries

As the New York Mets wrap up their 2014 season today against the Houston Astros, W.M. Akers takes a look at the development of Shea Stadium on the 6th anniversary of the final baseball game and 50th anniversary of the end of the first baseball season at the Mets’ former home.  Shea was demolished in 2009.  Read more and view photos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Mets Co-Owner Interested in Selling Share of Team?

Saul B. Katz, who owns a majority share of the Mets in a partnership with his brother-in-law and business partner, Fred Wilpon, has reportedly expressed a desire to sell his portion of the team.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the ‘Baba Booey’ Blunder

We’ve always liked Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate, executive producer of the Howard Stern Show and co-host of the Wrap-Up Show on Sirius XM, so we feel horrible about piling on to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Gary’s horrendous first pitch before a New York Mets game at Citi Field on May 9, 2009.  But — the ballpark news must go on!  Read more here.  Watch Gary’s pitch here.

L-R, Fred Norris, Gary Dell’Abate and Howard Stern on the WNBC softball team a very, very long time ago

Mr. Met, We’ll Go for the ‘Kill Shot’

In a fun little story to kick off the week, AJ Mass, who once wore the Mr. Met costume as the mascot for the New York Mets, said in his new book that he was threatened with sniper fire if he got too close to President Bill Clinton during a 1997 visit to Shea Stadium.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

Mets Revenue Down Again

The New York Mets’ ballpark-related revenue reported to regulators dropped for the fourth straight year in 2013, down nearly 34 percent since Citi Field opened in 2009.  Read more here.

MLB Returns to Montreal Today and Saturday

Ground crews are preparing Olympic stadium in Montreal for Major League Baseball exhibition games on Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets.  So far, more than 37,000 tickets have been sold for Friday night’s game and more than 43,000 for Saturday’s afternoon game.  Read more and watch news report here.

Mets to Honor Legendary Broadcaster with Jersey Patch

The New York Mets will wear a patch on the right sleeve of their jerseys in honor of Hall of Famer and legendary Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner, who died on Feb. 6 at the age of 91.  The patch features a microphone with “Ralph Kiner” over it and “1922-2014” at the bottom.  Read more here.  View patch on jersey sleeve here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Mets Unveil Jersey for Military Mondays in 2014

PRESS RELEASE – The New York Mets today announced the franchise will salute U.S. servicemen and women with Military Mondays during the 2014 season at Citi Field with complimentary tickets, retail discounts and community outreach events.

NYC Council Approves $3 Billion Willets Point Redevelopment Plan

Goodbye to the auto repair shops and junkyards located in the 23-acre “valley of ashes” next to the New York Mets’ Citi Field.  The New York City Council on Wednesday approved a $3 billion plan to turn a blighted area into retail, hotel and residential space.  Read more here.  View renderings here.

Met, Blue Jays to Play in Montreal

The New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays will reportedly play a pair of exhibition games at Olympic Stadium just before the 2014 season begins.  Read more here.

Mega-Mall Project Near Citi Field Moves Forward

A $3 billion Willets Point project cleared another hurdle Wednesday as the New York City Planning Commission approved plans that would make way for a mega mall near Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.  Read more here.  View rendering here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the news.

Citi Field: A New Paradigm In Ballpark Design?

Baseball author Rob Neyer takes a look at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, and concludes we are in a new era of rank commercialism in MLB ballpark design.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

MLB All-Star Game Tonight at Citi Field

Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, will host the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game tonight starting at 8:00 p.m. EDT on FOX.  Read more here.  Check out great photos and reviews of Citi Field from Digital Ballparks, Baseball Park, Baseball Pilgrimages, and Ballpark Reviews.  Get all your All-Star Game information here.   Speaking of the Mets, it doesn’t look great for the franchise on the annual revenue front.  Read more here.

Mrs. Met Returns After Makeover

The New York Mets’ mascot Mrs. Met hasn’t been seen for decades, but she has returned with a whole new look.  Read more and view photos here.  Watch video here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the news.

2013 MLB All-Star Game Eats

If you plan to attend the 2013 MLB All-Star Game on July 16 at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, there are eight food items you might want to try.  Read more here.  View photo gallery here. Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Tailgaters Feel Beer Crackdown at Citi Field

New York City police officers have been patrolling the parking lot at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, to hand out $25  citations to tailgaters drinking in public.  Drinking alcohol in public has long been banned in New York City and its surrounding areas, but until recently, the law was rarely enforced inside local team stadium parking lots.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Mets Partner with Amway

Multi-level marketer Amway has opened a storefront-style business center at CitiField, home of the New York Mets.  As described by Amway on AmwayBusinessCenterNY.com, the new outpost serves a purpose beyond a sponsorship:

Bye-Bye Blue Jays, 51s Sign New Affiliation Agreement with Mets

PRESS RELEASE – The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) announced today they have signed a “new” two-year Player Development Contract (PDC) with the New York Mets, member of the National League East.

Cyclones, Mets Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – he New York Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones today jointly announced that they have renewed their Player Development Contract for four more years. The renewal will keep the Cyclones as the Mets’ affiliate through at least the 2016 season. The four-year extension is the longest allowed by Major

B-Mets, NY Mets Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Binghamton Mets and New York Mets today announced a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract, securing the B-Mets as New York’s Double-A affiliate through the 2016 season. The Binghamton Mets have been affiliated with New York for the past 21 seasons.

The 2013 All-Star Game Logo is Here

The New York Mets on Tuesday unveiled the logo and patch for the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Meenan Makes Living Off Mets

CNNMoney.com’s Small Biz Tips takes a look at New York Mets fan Darren Meenan, who has turned his love of the Mets, creativity, and t-shirt-making expertise into a thriving business.  As the owner and operator of the7line.com (T7L), Meenan “replaces the Mets logo with cheeky sayings, skirting trademarks and building a following with fans and players.”  View video report here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Maher Buys Stake in Mets

Love him or hate him, Real Time host Bill Maher disclosed Sunday that he purchased a minority stake in the New York Mets a few months ago.  It is unclear if Maher, a life-long Mets fan, was involved in the purchase of one of the original 12 shares offered by the Mets ownership for $20 million each.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.