Visiting Citi Field

Soon after President Obama took office, it was announced that his first overseas visit would not actually go overseas, but to Canada. This was newsworthy because everyone tries to read into the president's every action. Maybe he chose Canada because he wanted to underscore the importance America places on our neighbor to the north. Maybe he chose it because it was closest and easiest to pull off a dry run. There's no right answer--it is what you make of it.

With two new ballparks opening in New York this year and with my insatiable interest in visiting as many ballparks as possible, it was only a matter of time before I saw the Yanks and Mets play in their new digs. Like the president, the only question that remained was which ballpark would I visit first?

As a lifelong Yankee fan, the answer seemed clear--or did it. After deciding to drop our tickets, and seeing the new Yankee Stadium cram decidedly less than capacity crowds over the first homestand of the season, there are still some raw nerves between the O'Briens and the Yanks.


In Front of Guido Central Station

So on Saturday, I ventured with Mrs. Morganobrien.com to Citi Field, home of your 2-time world champion New York Mets.

A number of my friends and family were shocked that I'd go to Citi before the new stadium, but to me it was a no-brainer. Once I stopped dropping a month's salary on my Yankee tickets, I became less invested in the franchise. And after watching the Yanks' piss-poor performance at Fenway this weekend, I can't say that cutting the cord was a bad choice.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the Yanks. When I'm overseas, I'll follow them as my favorite team. But now I consider myself more a baseball fan who favors a specific team than a die-hard Yankee fan that also enjoys baseball.

A quick review of Citi--Upon arrival, the manpower at the ballpark left a lot to be desired. The ticket agents were less than helpful, the security guards held up our line, the program salesman couldn't understand the questions we asked him and the cashier at Nathan's ran out of register tape and held up the line. Not quite as efficient as I'd like. There are still some kinks in the system.

That said, THEY HAD A NATHANS! Citi Field also boasts Blue Smoke and Shake Shack, which are definite plusses. Also, there's nothing like a fresh, new ballpark with a clean, retro look to really put you in the game.

Our seats were in the Pepsi Porch, which provided a nice view of the field (although deep fly balls to right field were not viewable from our perch). And I know he was a Dodger, but the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was a pretty sharp tribute to and American hero.

One other thing I noticed was that the Met fanbase was very Long Island/Queens. I don't know if this was a plus or minus, I just thought it warranted mentioning. For reasons I don't truly comprehend myself, although I'm a Long Islander by birth, I never really considered myself a Long Islander. I also could never see myself rooting for the Mets. Ever. (In related news, I also could never root for the Red Sox).

Ed. Note: I realize that last sentence just ended my ambitions to become an elected official from the region.


Behind Enemy Lines

In all, Citi Field is a nice ballpark. I think it stacks up alongside many of the newer ballparks (still stopping short of the Camden Yards and PNCs of the world), but I also think it's a little too antiseptic and fails to stands out. There were no signature views of any skyline, and as important as the Rotunda is, it's no Monument Park.

I'm interested in seeing Yankee Stadium, and comparing the two. Unfortunately for my heart, I have a feeling it won't even be close...