If you’d like, there is an interesting circus in St. Louis that we can send your way.

Keeps the fans plenty busy/entertained, never fails to amuse. :)

Even with all the ineptness with the front office and as pessimistic as I am of them doing the right thing by fans and for putting a winning team on the field in 2010. If the Mets had a fan fest at Citi Field with players past and present doing a meet and greet with the fans and having the concourse and Team Store open for buiness I’d be the second person in line for that event. Metsgrrl I bet you’d be first in line

I agree, Steve - I would be the first one in line and I’d enjoy every minute. And even with all of the ineptness, I’m still going to enjoy 2010. I’m doing this mondo west coast trip where I’ll see the Mets in LA, SF and AZ (amongst other baseball activities) and I’m super excited about it.

We WANT them to do well. We WANT them to get it right. Maybe if we keep pointing out what they’re not doing right they’ll figure it out… eventually.

I got the same exact thing in the mail, and started bursting out laughing when I saw it was a holiday gift from the Mets in January.  The Wilpons must have had a lil too much egg nog this holiday season

I imagine it’s because they pushed back the renewal day they also pushed back when they mailed the gift. So they didn’t put a lot of effort into the letter that you throw out anyway, big deal. Sure, they should’ve remembered what they wrote when they mailed ‘em out, but hey, who really cares.  Pretend they’re celebrating MLK day.

This is NY. demand is too high for them to feel the need to do things like caravans.  I’d love all the extra stuff too, but it’s not like the Yankees do it either. Or most NY teams.  Philadelphia is a second tier city, at best.  They’re closer to the Royals than the Mets. 

What they were doing was fixing the team.  So far so good, Bay’s here, no stupid Molina or Lackey, and they’re going to sign another pitcher and hopefully decide on a non-Santos catcher.

Of course, I think *my* photo got lost in the mail.  But I agree.  I bought tickets from the Nationals once, Angels and Dodgers once, and a bunch from the Orioles.  Now only do I still get mailers from them, I see THEY are all having fanfests and winter caravans.  I remember the Mets used to do that, and they 86’d it (no pun intended) just a few years ago.  Why?  Same reason why they took away Old Timers Day, Banner Day and the HOF inductions (I believe Jay Horwitz described it as too “much” work, although he apparently said the same thing about the All-Star Game at Shea too).  I would love a Fan Fest too (I guess that would make me third in line) but let’s be fair…it will be a long time before they do that (I say 2012 b/c that’s the year I think they projected for the All Star Game, and when the fanbase will in general be restless)

You’re wrong. The deadline for season ticket holders had nothing to do with the gift - it said “2009”. Not 2010. This is a holiday gift, not the gift that you get when they send out your tickets. So there’s zero possible relationship to that deadline being pushed back.

What they were doing was fixing the team? C’mon. The people who make marketing and promotional decisions are not the ones who were so busy “fixing the team” as you put it.

Marty Noble’s already gone on record to say that Santos is the catcher. Who else is out there? No one better.

And I’ll hold my breath until a catcher is signed.

That said, this has nothing to do with fan relations. The departments are separate.

Really?  Complaining?  Why?  Are you that needy?  That ridiculous that you cannot just ACCEPT a gift.

I have read your blog numerous times and this is the PETTIEST AND MOST RIDICULOUS POST BY FAR. 

Here is an idea… send me an email, I’ll give you my address, and you can package the gift and send it to me.  I was at that game and would LOVE to have something from the team commemorating it.

They didn’t have to do ANYTHING, but the fact they did should say something.  You received a gift and now you have to complain because it wasn’t nice enough. 

Is that what this has come to?  What happen to fan support?  There isn’t any anymore.  Now all writers just want to complain and criticize.  Be happy for once or give up your tickets to us who want to be there and appreciate our team.

I really hate when MetsBlog links to me because then I get these kinds of comments. the DON’T GO OR STOP COMPLAINING type of attitude. They can bitch all they want, but no one else can.

You know how I support my team? I GO TO GAMES. I BUY TICKETS… which is how I got this in the first place.

I think that going to 30-40 games a year is plenty of support. But, that’s just me.

I never said don’t go or stop complaining.  I read your blog.  I usually like what you write.  But to complain that a gift sent by the promo department is too cheap and therefore a complete representation of the organization is just ridiculous.  They didn’t have to send anything.

Maybe the reason it is late is that it is not just a Happy Holiday’s but also a Thank you for renewing your ticket plan.  I guarantee they didn’t want to send a gift to people who didn’t renew.  Would you?

Not to mention, it is three weeks after Christmas.  December is a pretty busy time in the baseball world and company’s (even the non baseball ones) are usually EXCEPTIONALLY busy with year end, trying to do a month’s work in under 3 weeks, and company parties. A free gift to people sounds like something to start in the new year.

If nothing was sent, this article would be the same stating that other teams send their fans packages for their support, and Mets fans received nothing.  But a gift was a received and an article was written that the gift was cheesy and pitiful.

BTW, I was not kidding that I would be more than happy to receive gift.  In fact, I love each year just getting my pocket schedule and that I have stayed on that mailing list.  A gift is a gift.  Some people seem to forget that.

I pay thousands of dollars each year for this “gift”. This isn’t something done just to be nice.

The ‘card’ with the gift says Happy Holidays 2009.

I do not buy that they were too busy to do this right. This is supposed to be a world-class organization? Then act like one.

December is busy? What were they doing in October, and November? Could you possibly be more condescending? I’ve been in the workforce for at least as long as you have, probably longer. December is NOT necessarily a busy time for all industries, and IT’S STILL NOT AN EXCUSE FOR BEING LAME. This is their JOB. DO IT RIGHT.

If you want a gift, go sign up for a ticket plan and pay the same $$$ I do every year. Guess how I pay for those ticket plans by the way… BY WORKING.

If you didn’t expect it, than it is a gift.  You pay for the tickets and to go to games.

Every company I have been with and now every company I audit is busy at year end.

The only reason I don’t purchase tickets by the package is that I never know where I will be since my job restricts my freedom from such activities.

I went to 15 games last year, including purchasing Opening night tickets on the free market just so I would be there.

And if you are going to write an article being so condescending against your favorite sports team, than you should expect some whiplash from fans who are getting tired of only seeing the negative written.  I did not mean to offend or personally attack, but negative articles received negative responses. 

This just as easily could have been a quick article about how you received a gift from the Mets.  It wasn’t anything big or fancy, but it was nice because you weren’t expecting anything.  But that wouldn’t get readers or attention would it?

I never got one, and I’m a season ticket holder.  Nice.

“I guarantee they didn’t want to send a gift to people who didn’t renew.”

Actually, I didn’t renew and I got one too. Seemed like a nice gesture to me, even if they sent it late.

Chris, It is nice to see that there are some people out there who appreciate a gift.  Was it something amazing?  Maybe not.  But a nice gesture is a nice gesture…

If you want to dictate what gets written on a blog, then I would like to refer you to this site:

http://getyourowneffingblog.wordpress.com/

And take your specious accusations over there.

Superbly mature.  I apologize for criticizing the writing that you put out there for everyone to read.

You want to write negative, then expect negative responses.

And btw…before you attack someone for possibly not being in the workforce as long as you have (which I will admit I have not been) you should consider not attacking Mets fans when you admit to only be on the bandwagon since 2005 because of a boyfriend.  You may have the work experience, but I wasn’t jumping on a Mariners bandwagon in 1995, I was going to my 10-15 games a year during 50 and 60 win seasons.

You say all of this as though I try to hide the fact, when in fact the opposite is true. But, your logic is inescapable, Justin. Wow. You’re right. How can I dare to have an opinion about anything? You’re right. I’ll shut down the site tomorrow. It’s my fault that I didn’t grow up in a family who followed sports. It’s my fault that the Dodgers left Brooklyn, leaving my father bereft and no longer a baseball fan. It’s my fault that every guy I met was too much of an asshat to take the time to explain baseball to me. Yep, all of that is my fault, so I am completely unworthy to have an opinion. What could I have been thinking?

Have your opinion, but don’t have a panic attack and complain about when MetBlog links you and fans decided to agree with that opinion.

If you hate that MetsBlog links you, then ask not to be linked.

Way to avoid the point, Justin.

Caryn,

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I got the picture in the mail yesterday and it went directly into the trash.

I had a 15 game “Saturday” plan last year, which I did not renew. The “Saturday” plan is missing 3 Saturday games; and it forces people to buy 5 weeknight games, which I cannot attend (because I live in Boston and have a job) and cannot get rid of.

My theory on the timing of the stupid picture is that season ticket sales are down. The team never intended to send us a “gift” out of the goodness of their heart. If they did, it would have arrived a month ago. No, they sent the stupid gift because they think it’ll help their image and encourage people to buy tickets.

Jon

Actually I am pretty sure the point of your last post was that “HOW DARE I HAVE AN OPINION”

I told you to have your opinion.  Go ahead.  Have it, but just as you criticize, be prepared to be criticized.

Thanks for the pictures of CitiField on your site, thanks for the occasional good article.  Next time I’ll let you have your opinion and I will stifle mine.  Wouldn’t want to further criticize those who prefer to criticize and not be criticized.

The point Caryn is trying to make is a good one. The point is that the Mets are completely out of touch with their fanbase.

They played Sweet Caroline in the 8th inning sing-along and it took them half the season to realize people were booing it and not singing along. They held a vote for what song they should use instead, and wouldn’t you know, Meet the Mets won!

It’s insulting to me as a diehard Mets fan that the people who run the team think I can be appeased or distracted with these cheap ass bells and whistles when the team has let us down big time the last few years. How bout winning some ball games or treating your most loyal customers with some respect. That will make me happy—not some cheap Christmas gift that’s a month late.

Justin, I didn’t block you from commenting, or delete your comments. I let you have your comments, even though as you personally attacked me at every step of the way, and at the end, dared to suggest that I’m not entitled to have an opinion because I don’t meet Justin’s Test For Valid Mets Fandom. You don’t get to take the OMG CENSORSHIP!!111 card here.

Caryn,  Go back read my first post.  It was my opinion that I am tired of people complaining about petty things and complaining about receiving a gift.

You followed with “typical metsblog fan saying GO HOME OR STOP COMPLAINING” and that we are bitching but no one else can.  You then stated your 30-40 games and thousands of dollars to let it be known you went to more games than I did and your backed it with a twitter post.

Listen.. if you want to complain complain.  I think it’s petty to complain when the team sends you something that you have no reason to expect.  You purchase tickets.  But if you are going to complain, be open to criticism.

I challenge back when I am challenged.  I am always glad there is another Mets fan out there.  Some like to complain about the Mets.  I don’t.  I support and defend my team. 

So have your opinion and if you have that big of a problem with us obnoxious metsblog fans… ask Matt to remove page links if you OBVIOUSLY hate them so much.

Go on with your posting… I am done responding.

It’s just a matter of time before you block his comments (just a word of advice Justin, because she will arbitrarily delete/block commenters and comments)

You criticize the Mets at every turn for what’s basically a difference of opinion and a misguided thought that a lot of people feel something because its’ talked about via the vocal minority.  (See the Sweet Caroline thing, which was probably more than a small minority, but certainly wasn’t a majority and in no way was reflective of anything but a difference of opinion.  The Mets chose a cheesy between-innings thing.  big deal.  all teams have them.  They already played Meet the Mets.  the fans that voted for that were generally just uncreative or had no interest in the between inning antics)

I’ll agree that they’re out of touch, but they’re not completely out of touch.  They can be cheap in terms of the extras outside of the team, then again, that’s just good business. Fans come, fans spend money. that other stuff has little affect on that.  So they canned the expense.  Baseball has changed a lot in this regard in NY, and especially over the last 10 years.  It’s sad, but it’s true. 

It was a decent present, for something they didn’t have to do.  It’s a nice picture. (I prefer it to yours, as it’s more focused on baseball)  So what if the notification letter explaining it was outdated?

Your logic is absolutely inescapable. Thank you for granting me permission to continue to post. After all, I am not a Mets fan, I do not support or defend my team at all. I thank you for gracing my lowly blog with your presence and your wide experience with running and managing a blog. I am humbled that you would take the time to stop here in your busy day.

First of all, my comments policy is clear and published and not a secret. I am not required to spend my resources on publishing your opinion. Get over it.

Hey Ceetar- oh wait, I’m sorry, Not Justin - shouldn’t you be all over the internet telling people how I’m terrible and not worth reading (instead of spending that time making your own blog worth reading)? What proxy did you find that’s letting you on the blog now? 

I thought it was a cool gift, especially because I wasn’t expecting anything. But I can see how it looks cheesy and feels like they dont do enough for the fans, which they don’t. But whatever, I just hope the negative fans stay away from Citi, I truly believe that is why the team keeps faultering. Lets bring some positive vibes to the stadium and I promise the team will do better.

Did you see how many people weren’t showing up towards the end of 2009? They can’t afford to be picky, and I don’t know how you can criticize people who choose to spend their money and their time going to the ballgame! Doesn’t that make them a fan? Why do they have to meet some kind of arbitrary positivity test?

William V,

As I saw on a great Mets t-shirt once: We won’t boo when you don’t suck.

Its just my opinion, thats all. I rather sit with fans that cheer rather than boo every single strike call or bad swing or pitched ball. I remember numerous times when I am at a game and the first batter gets a few balls and I hear fans already complaining and saying “there goes the game”, “here we go again”, blah blah blah. I understand its hard being patient, but have you ever heard the saying “patience is a virtue”.

2009 was a very long season. As far as I was concerned, anyone who still showed up at the end could do the hula in the upper deck if they wanted to. At least they showed up.

Hahahaha, i wouldnt mind the Hula in the Upper Deck, especially if they look like you. I would join in. Just like I did with the wave while the opposing team was batting and we are losing the game.

I completely agree with that. It’s stupid to boo a guy for one bad game or play, assuming he’s not loafing.
But I think it’s my responsibility as a fan/customer to let my team know how I feel…just like I would do with a restaurant or movie. 3 years without playoffs is unacceptable with the payroll/players they have. I’ll show how I feel by booing if warranted or by not showing up.

I’m sorry, but I have no interest in being like the good ole Cardinals fans who just think their team is the greatest no matter how they’re doing. And I don’t want to root for loveable losers like Cubs fans do.

Generally, Caryn, I’m in agreement with you.

Hell, even here I’m largely in agreement with you. The Fan Relations and Promo Depts.’ collective job is to be efficient and effective in playing nice to the fans, and it should have been sent out on time.

But when you have to look a gift horse in the mouth, then it’s a bit much. Could it have been more? Maybe. Were you expecting the Moon? Perhaps. But in my situation, I’m not expecting much more than a card. (And the great thing about a piece of paper: fold it over and you’ve got yourself a card!)

Look, every franchise has its organizational troubles, some more than others. In NYC, effective fan relations is rare (esp. when you’re dealing with a major franchise…I expect - and generally get - better relations with the Cyclones than the Mets), and it’s changed over the past few years. Would I like a return to the Mets Winter Caravan? Sure I would. Do I, as a fan who puts down a great deal of money down for whichever games I go to, EXPECT to be treated well? Yes, a bit; but I’m not of the opinion that the fans can dictate everything.

Now, on the subject of negative criticism, when I started my political blog (which I closed down for what reason? Lack of people reading - you should be quite lucky that MetsBlog linked up to you, because it’s not like Politico or HuffPo or FiveThirtyEight linked up to me) to spark a debate. I don’t know if what you’re doing is to spark a debate or simply vent - if it’s the former, expect criticism because this is what you’re looking for; if you’re looking for the latter, then simply close off comments.

With all due respect Caryn, I live in Boston and it costs me about $100 in gas/tolls/parking/food just to get to a game (plus what I already paid for the tickets). I’m not making the trip if the team is out of contention and putting a poor product on the field.

Maybe a different story if they were trotting out a ton of prospects to get a glimpse of late in the year. But they weren’t. I’m not gonna pay money to watch Jeff Francoeur, Luis Castillo, and Fernando Tatis fight for 4th place.

DP: I appreciate your comments, but I disagree wholeheartedly. But my opinion on the gift has been covered. As for the blog and traffic, I always appreciate that Mike Baron thought the post was worth linking to, but I have worked hard to cultivate an audience of people who get what I’m trying to do. Believe it or not, I do okay. I care about getting the kind of traffic who resonates with the blog.

I put up the post for the same reason I put up any post: it was what I was thinking and feeling. If you read this blog at all, you know that that is what (mostly) governs the content - the other thing that governs the content is what I think people who are regular readers will like and enjoy.

Seven: I do NOT disagree with you. I completely support you. I am just trying to be reasonable in a comment thread with 37 posts.

I was surprised to get the photo also.  Its nice to get something, they didn’t have to. 

First thing I thought when I saw this picture in mid January was, “Boy sales are really going slow, they are resorting to bribes to remind us they are out there.

I don’t think it was an oversight, I think it was another attempt to increase ticket renewals, they went through the first round of sales, saw the dismal numbers and spitballed some ideas, this was an attempt to remind the fanbase of some good times at the nice new ballpark, nothing disorganized.  It said Happy Holidays, because they need something better to say than “Please, please, please renew your package”

My complaint was, why do I want this non-descript photo of the stadium, enough already, start focusing on the team and talent. I’d much prefer a picture of a memorable moement during the season at Citifield rather than a flag on the field, problem is of course, I can’t think of any memorable game moments. It reminds me of watching the highlight film of the ‘64 season, they spent 59 minutes talking about the remarkable modern stadium and 1 minute talking about Ron Hunt.  I guess the stadium is there only star now.

I gave the photo to my 7 year old son, who put it on his bookshelf, he appreciates anything Mets related, unless us jaded old geezers.

I just got mine today.  It’s February 3rd.  Merry Christmas everybody!!