S.I. Pols Say CitField Should be Citi/Taxpayer Field

Photograph by merlinsclaw on Flickr

Perhaps inspired by yesterday's NY Post cartoon by Delonas, featuring Mr. Met watch CitField's name changed to Taxpayer Bailout Field, two politicians from State Island are proposing that Citifield be named Citi/Taxpayer Field. Because what better way than to pay tribute to Citigroup's $400 million investment in the Mets' new home, now that taxpayers are on the hook for about $350 billion with the Citi bailout.

City Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R) said, "Perhaps a name change is in order, since it will be the taxpayers of the country who will foot the bill for not only part of stadium, but for the company itself. The taxpayers are spending billions for this company to maintain its operations and deserve the recognition for their largess.” And City Councilman James Oddo (R) added, “Not naming the field after Jackie Robinson in the first place: mindless. Tom Seaver stepping onto the new mound for the first time: timeless. Actually acknowledging the contributions of the hardworking taxpayer: priceless.”

Newsday's Wallace Stevens has a column about this tempest in a name: "The one thing it should not be called, under any circumstances, is Citi Field." And still, on the Mets' website, there's an article noting, that while the CitiField name is not in jeopardy, "they understand a takeover is possible and that a name change probably would follow. As much as the club favors the current name -- it considers it far less corporate-sounding than most of the new names for stadiums and sports arenas, it is much more conscious of the revenue connected to it."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on November 26, 2008 9:56 AM

Comments [rss]

chopp3r

If they still have the nerve to call it Citi Field, they should just go ahead and call it Vikram Pandit Field. Pussies.

NannyState

If Cleveland can call their park "The Jake", we can call this hellhole "the Choke".

breaknight

How about CitiZEN's field? Or better yet, let's just go all the way: People's Stadium. Or how about Workers' Stadium?

The Marxist in me is giggling happily as capitalism crumbles all around us.

Spirit of 76

If they desperately want that new name, just take out two letters from the sign to make an acronym. It can easily be "ct field." Barely even have to change the pronunciation.

Now I'm just waiting for some mischievous Photoshop whiz to removed the "L" from the sign.

abcohen

BAILOUT FIELD!!!! perfect!

fugothamist

geez...we are all investors in citigroup now, like it or not...so it is in our best interest to not sabatoge the company we are now invested in.

Art Vandelay

Even before the Citi bailout, it was being funded on the backs of New York taxpayers. So how about we just keep it Shea Stadium at least?

Dirk

Don't Get Your Hopes Up Stadium.

Huffy6241

I can't think of any way to slip a bicycle agenda comment into this post.

matty

Ok, that's a little too communist.

Hmm, yeah, OK, I agree with EdEx. Shea.

mrguy

Ides-

that is hilarious.

this also reminds me of the episode of the simpsons where the IRS seizes all of Krusty's assets, including Krusty Burger, and changes it to "IRS Burger". Homer orders a tax burger, fills out a form, and is informed he'll receive his burger in 6-8 weeks.

matty

People's Stadium!

TimSPC

Unfortunately for the Mets, the only corporation stressful enough and with any money is the Yankees. They're going to have to call the place YES Network Field.

augiemania

Maybe more time should be spent worrying about, ummm Staten Island?

SI Pols are getting more and more media hungry, no?

Wza

Taxpayer Field!

ides_of_march

How about every time a Met hits a home run, a giant 1040 form pops out of the top hat in center field?

In any case, I'm calling it Taxpayer Field from now on regardless what name is on the facade.

PKinNYC

just move the Mets to Montreal

RooseveltIsland360

I like the idea posed by BxBrian just change the name from CITI Field to CITY Field.

If not CITY rename it Metropolitan Field

r1b2

Shea Stadium! Retain the name. William Shea was a key player in the birth of the team. Or show real class and call it Payson Field, after Joan Payson.

UnrepentantFenian

Incredibly stupid idea. Yes we have tons of bailout money pored into these guys, so why would we want to harm our investment by killing its advertising.