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
