Game #9-Citi Field New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves

After a few cancelled games due to rain we are back on track. We missed the Nationals but will fly back this summer for a game. Thankfully the Mets game that was cancelled on Sunday was rescheduled to 1pm on Monday, May 1 and we were able to get tickets. Our tickets we held would not be permitted because it was going to be a doubleheader and the held ticket would only be allowed at a later date. Anyone need a couple of good tickets? It really was not a disappointment because when God gives you lemons (rain) you make lemonade (fun)! We ended up getting the last two tickets to see "A Beautiful Noise" a broadway play based on Neil Diamond's life. WHAT A SHOW!! Highly recommend! We had a very wet and chilly walk in Times Square and a delicious dinner at Carmines Italian Restuarant. Remember that lemonade I spoke of, well it was turned into some fantasti Chianti! Now on to game #9 in Citi Field where the Mets took on the Braves. The stadium was completed in 2009 the same time as Yankees Stadium together their cost was over 3 billion dollars. There was a very big controversy due to the cost on the taxpayers but eventually the stadiums won out and now I know why it is so costly to live in New York. The Mets moved from Shea Stadium to Citi Field and worked to bring some of the feel of Shea Stadium to the new park. The famous Apple from Shea Stadium is outside the main gate with a new Home Run Apple inside the stadium. A very large statue of Tom Seaver is located near the Shea Apple. Tom Seaver also known as "Tom Terrific" was the most iconic player in Mets history having won many awards throughout his career with 10 years of them being with the New York Mets. Jim met a cute little friend out front of Citi Field while we waited for the gates to open. There was a cute little dog all dressed in Mets gear, hat included waiting for a friendly pet and of course a few dollars if you take your picture with him. Always a hussle in New York City. We entered the stadium via the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. The rotunda is excellently designed having Robinson's nine values etched in the archways: Courage, Excellence, Persistence, Justice, Teamwork, Commitment, Citizenship, Determination and Integrity. They also have his very famous quote engraved on the upper ring of the rotunda, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." WOW such an inspirational place! Additionally, there is an 8 foot sculpture of Robinson's number 42. See pictures on Instagram @fieldofdreams2023. After our admiration of the rotunda we visited the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum where we were pleasantly greeted by Alicia the musuem curator. She gave us lots of great information and a great education on the Mets. We took many pictures of the historic jerseys, baseballs, trophies and even the original Mr. Met costume. Then it was off to a walk around the ballpark. We were impressed with the bridge motif in the ballpark's architecture having a pedestrian bridge named Shea Bridge in the outfield. You all know there are bridges everywhere in New York so why not in the ballpark! While we were on our walking journey we stopped by guest services for a hot dog recommendation. They also recommended we take advantage of our club tickets and visit some of the club areas. You can see picture on Instagram of me enjoying a very large beer looking out over the stadium. Then it was that magical time for Jim to do his hot dog review. We were at the very top of the stadium and the wind was blowing wildly when we came upon the hot dog stand. Jim talked with the people working the hot dog stand and got their take on the very best hot dog. They were very excited about his review and wanted Jim to do the review so they could watch. Good thing Jim's hot dog hat had a strap or it would be in the Hudson River. Jim donning his hat gave the hot dog an 8 whhich created lots of cheering from the hot dog stand. I decided to try a piece of New York style pizza. I found Patsy's Pizzeria, a famous pizzeria in East Harlem near the hot dog stand. I got my piece of pizza and the wind reeked havoc with my plate causing the pizza to adhere itself to the front of my sweatshirt. After a stint in the bathroom I was good as new...almost. The pizza was average and a bit too greasy (sweatshirt captured most of it)for my liking. I should have had the hot dog. Now on to the game....it was the first game of the doubleheader but we only stayed for the first game because we had tickets for the Yankees night game. The game was definitly an offensive game with a final score of Braves 9 and Mets 8. The Braves wasted no time getting on the board when in the 1st inning Atlanta Braves Sean Murphy hit a 3-run homer. The Mets answer back with Brandon Nimmo hitting a triple follwed by Francisco Lindor hitting a single driving in a run making it Braves 3 Mets 1 in the bottom of the 1st inning. Atlanta wasn't having any of that and got their bats moving to score 3 more in the 2nd inning. Kevin Pillar and Ronald Acuna Jr. both got homers. Braves 6, Mets 1. A ray of sunshine for the Mets in the bottom of the third with Pete Alonso hitting a 3-run homer, making it Braves 6, Mets 4. We were thrilled to see the Home Run Apple out in center field rise up. The Mets were not done and Brett Baty hit another home run in the 6th inning making it a one run ballgame. Braves 6, Mets 5. They say that history repeats itself, well it did in the 7th inning as Sean Murphy once again hit a 3-run homer, making it Braves 9, Mets 5. The Mets did not let that stop them in the bottom of the 7th they sacraficed their bodies with two players in a row being hit by a pitch. This brought up Daniel Vogelbach who grounded into a force out and scored two runs. Score now Braves 9, Mets 7. Those New York Mets are determined and in the 9th inning with two outs, Eduardo Escobar homered bringing up that Home Run Apple. Score now Braves 9, Mets 8 where it would end when Brett Baty lines out for the final play of the game. I have heard that Citi Field is a "pitcher's park" but it did not appear that way today with 9 hits for each team. We are now off to Yankee Stadium for the 7:05pm game. Until next time PLAY BALL!