Citi Field Streaker So Sad He'll Never See His Mets At Home Again

Frank Franklin II/AP

The 29-year-old Mets fan who christened Citi Field in May by being the first to streak the new stadium is filled with bitterness and remorse. Craig Coakley brought joy to millions when he dashed out onto the field during a Mets-Braves game wearing just a thong with a monkey covering his junk. But it was all downhill from there: six months later, his euphoria long dissipated, the diehard Mets fan is all washed up.

In September, Coakley was fined $3,000, sentenced to 20 days of community service, and, worst of all, banned for life from all Mets venues, including Citi Field and KeySpan Park in Brooklyn. In an email to the TimesLedger, almost certainly typed in a darkened room littered with empty booze bottles, pizza boxes, and baseball cards, Coakley writes:

I was devastated. I never meant to offend anyone, and regardless of whether or not the Mets organization lifts the ban, I will be a Met fan until the day that I die... I’m a singer/songwriter and performer, and realized how serious and depressing society has become. I wanted to bring some fun and levity into people’s lives and knew I’d have a captive audience at Citi Field. Judging from the thousands of e-mails I’ve received from people all over the country supporting me, I succeeded.

Coakley's also succeeded in getting some attention for his band One Time (MySpace), and says he's "in talks" with several record labels and industry people. But no matter how huge One Time gets, it will never fill the void left in his heart by the Mets organization. Men have enjoyed running naked at least as far back as the Battle of Marathon, so will making an example of Coakley really stop what's obviously an innate human urge?

Coakley has a bold idea we think the Mets, and the MLB in general, should seriously consider: "Maybe streaking should be a regular fifth inning tradition. I don’t think Mets fans would mind as long as we’re winning games." One thing is certain: This post was just an excuse to watch the funny video one more time, below.

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

By John Del Signore in News on October 8, 2009 12:38 PM

Comments [rss]

Tamar Weinberg

Good excuse to become a Yankees fan?

Spirit of 76

Can't be that hard to get a fake ID. Then when security asks if he's the streaker, he can just show them he's not. Unless they haul him down to the precinct and check his prints, they can't prove he's the guy.

Mr Mel

There's a way for him to beat the ban. He could go to Dr Zizmor and have his features changed and get easy terms as well.

NannyState

The Mets are just all hurt because this incident was the highlight of their season. The fans desperately needed the distraction from a shitty team that might as well play naked for all the pride they bring to their uniforms.

PTG in nyc

I like this story and I feel bad for the guy, but realistically he looks like every other greasy dude from LI, so there will probably be a lot of "hey you're that streaker guy" going around and my guess is that no one will actually be able to identify him.

The legal ramifications would probably suck though. I'm sure he's already growing a stache anyway as the mets continue to blow and he gets ready for superstardom as a lead singer in a rock band.

I also don't consider it streaking if you cover your junk, so technically he's not even a streaker.

jaycjay

Streaking is naked. This wasn't streaking.

fishfryin

when you're banned from a stadium you can still go in. the problem is that if you miraculously get identified somehow or more likely if you get in trouble again, you will have to go through all the legal garbage once more, and worse this time.

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

What's to stop this stunod from just buying a ticket from StubHub, putting on shades and walking in? They don't check ID at the gate and there's usually way too much going on for ticket takers to look closely at every visitor.

Thespis

It's simple really. A memo went out to all Mets ticket-takers: "If you see a dude wearing a thong and a junk-monkey, do NOT let him in."

ANGRYGOD11

He could do all this, but just one person has to say HEY, AREN'T YOU THAT STREAKER GUY? and it's over.

How can anyone enjoy a ballgame this way?

felixthecat2

that sucks, ban for life?

imadick

well, that ban just about ruins his chances to be a professional baseball player

Cautious Pessimist

I can't believe anyone is surprised by the way the Mets reacted. I mean, what else would you expect them to do to someone who can actually run all the way around the diamond without getting hurt?

hotstepper

nicely played.

whitecastlerock

Ban the Wilpons for life. This was the only newsworthy streak during the entire Met season....

zoofroy

I'd love to see how they're going to enforce this in 2029. Are they going to have a mug shot of him at every entrance of every Mets facility for the next 50 years?

Guest

Yes, but Osama bin Laden will be able to walk in without a problem.

neckbeard

I've always wondered that with these things. I have a friend who is banned from Disneyland and I can't understand why she can't just change her hair a bit and get in there.

How hard would it be for him to grow a beard and walk in with a big group of people?

EastRiver

I have a friend who is banned from Disneyland and I can't understand why she can't just change her hair a bit and get in there.

Multi-day passes at Disney parks require a fingerprint scan at the gate. If they did have your friend's print already that would be one way to catch her. She would have to pay cash and buy one day tickets only.

Wza

haha...true.

Get costume lessons from Bobby V?

But yeh, I'd also like to hear about the Disney ban...lol

barryap

You can't just tell us someone is banned from Disneyland and not tell us the story.

JenChungsBaby

Seriously.

dr zippy

How are they going to enforce it next year, let alone in 2029?

Guest

One fan streaks across the field during one game and he's banned from that field for life, but one player uses steroids pretty much his entire career, playing in almost every stadium, and nothing happens whatsoever (he's even allowed to keep the home run record). I pray MLB falls apart and is not bailed out by the government. Something needs to happen to teach them some humility.

neckbeard

which "one" player are you talking about here? you're talking about half of the major leagues for some time.

Guest

The only one who holds the homerun record, Barry Bonds.

Bort

"I’m a singer/songwriter and performer, and realized how serious and depressing society has become"

Dude should be banned from life for saying something so lame.

reader6

What a loser

Kevin Walsh

>>Craig Coakley brought joy to millions when he dashed out onto the field during a Mets-Braves game wearing just a thong with a monkey covering his junk."

You, maybe. He deserves to be banned.

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