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By all accounts, the Mets had a good day yesterday. They unveiled their new stadium plans and picked up a 10-5 win against the Washington Nationals. Pedro Martinez made his first start of the season and was less than stellar. While Martinez won the game, he allowed 4 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), and 5 walks. While he did strike out six, Pedro hit three Nationals hitters, including hitting Jose Guillen twice. In the 5th inning, when Guillen was hit for the 2nd time in the game (and 5th time in his career by Pedro), he took steps towards the pitcher's mound. Paul Lo Duca had to restrain Guillen who obviously has reason to suspect that Martinez intentionally hit him. The incident caused both benches and bullpens to clear. Following the momentary interruption, Nick Johnson promptly hit a three-run homer.
Lucky for Martinez, the Mets have Carlos Delgado. In the bottom of the 5th with the score tied, Delgado hit his 2nd home run in two nights, scoring what turned out to be the winning run. And since the Mets bought one Carlos and you get another one free, Carlos Beltran picked up his first hit of the season with a two-run home run. Beltran had four RBI on the night and received a standing ovation for his home run. Xavier Nady continued his hot hitting, going 2-3 with a double.
Of course, the biggest news for the Mets yesterday was the new stadium they unveiled. Some highlights included an exterior that is reminiscent of Ebbets Field and an interior that offers far superior views of the field than Shea Stadium has. About 42% of the approximate 45,000 seat stadium will be on the concourse level of the stadium. As if Shea wasn't already a pitcher's park, the new stadium will be even more pitcher friendly. The outfield features an asymmetrical wall that is 335' to left, 379' to left center, 408' to center, 391' to right center and 330' to right. The stadium, designed by HOK Sport, somewhat reminds Gothamist of Detroit's Comerica Park, which was also designed by HOK.
The stadium is scheduled to break ground this summer with completion in time for the 2009 baseball season. Finally, a baseball only stadium. And big compliments to the people at HOK - they even got the contrails into the renderings, some of which are in the extended entry.
Photo by AP/Frank Franklin II
Renderings by HOK Sport
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I love how empty the parking lot is in the renderings and how there seems to be a lot of pedestrians in the plaza areas. I'm glad the Mets are not asking for more parking and the MTA is going to increase service while it is under construction, but why not just do that all the time??? http://nyc.theoildrum.com/story/2006/4/6/164850/4310
How are shorter fences MORE pitcher friendly?
It's also important to note that the home run apple is still in the plans.
So Beltran hit a homerun during a Pedro start? Last year Carlos hit 16 homeruns in 15 games with 9 of those games being Pedro starts including his 2 homer game on May 7. I really should get back to work now.
Re: The game... a perfect storm: a known hothead vs. a known headhunter. Like everything else in sports, pov depends on whose side you're on.
Seattle's Kingdome was imploded when Safeco Field was completed. I'm wondering, when construction on the Mets Ballpark is complete, will they also implode Shea Stadium?
http://espn.go.com/gen/2000/0324/444455.html#
http://www.martinidesign.com/kingdome/implode.htm
I remember afterschool I'd get off at Willets Point/Shea Stadium and walk towards the Shea exit/entrance and catching some of the game, and even catch glimpses of the game whenever the ball was hit into the outfield.
According to the concepts, this will all be a memory now. The new stadium looks nice though.
...also, weird they'd put the front entrance on the opposite side of where it is now - not that there is a front entrance, but you know what I mean.
cease - i think the new rotunda is to "welcome" those coming off the subway. also, it seems like some will have a nice view of the whitestone.
i think my favorite feature of the new park is that the seats will be closer to the field. the 360 degree view is nice too.
tien - you're 100% right.
Thank christ they kept that shitty home run apple. It wouldn't be the same without it.
I like this better than the proposed new Yankee Stadium.
Somone just pointed this out to me. It seems that retro-style ballparks are being built all over the country these days. As he said, "Why not call for something bold, modern, or post-post-modern? That would be more in keeping with the site and the particular story of the Metropolitans. Rather than some homage to another team's time and place, one that packed up and moved to LA."
I think he's got a point. Is the new stadium about the Mets or is it really about the Dodgers?
well, it's a nice tribute to the dodgers. and if you think about the "historical" mets fan base, it's a nod to them. also, the blue in the mets colors is for the dodgers, so it's not really too far fetched.
and i think the retro parks tend to be an attraction - drawing people to the stadium. of course, the product has to be good too.
besides, would you rather have the great american ballpark?
I was at the Mets game last night, with field seats behind first base and watched the whole "fight" upclose: it was under control the entire time. Martinez actually popped a squat on the mound while a maniacal Guillen had to be physically restrained for close to 5 minutes. The Yankee bullpen ran onto the field toward the mound but were met by National players, where they all started playfully pushing each other, joking around and laughing. Guillen was so ridiculous. Whether Martinez was intentionally pitching to hit Guillen is irrelevant. The umpires were there to do their job, and they didn't throw Martinez out of the game so it's obvious they felt their was no malicious intent. Guillen needs to lighten up, play ball and stop making himself look like such an easy target; how many millions does this guy get paid anyway? Now all pitchers should start "pitching" balls at him, give him a real reason to cry...
Mariano Rivera and Tanyon Sturtze flew all the way from Anaheim so they could rush to Jose Guillen's defense.
The renderings of the stadium really don't make it look in any way unique, instead it looks like all the new baseball stadiums from the mid 1990s to now.
ABC girly,
no, it is not 'irrelevant' if he was intentionally pitching at him- it is highly relevant because no matter how many millions he might make, thats a 90 mph baseball thats being thrown at his head, a weapon. it was the 2nd time in the game, and i bet pedro was smirking.
I didnt see it, but i believe those two have a longer history, including the playoff battles between the redsox and the A's. and pedro is a punk.
" I didnt see it, but i believe....'
That's right, Matty B. You DIDN'T SEE IT... you weren't there.