OCTOBER 12 - NLDS GAME #3 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Matt Harvey (14-8) starts the first ever playoff game at Citi Field against Brett Anderson (10-9). After Utley's questionable take out slide changing game 2 and tying the series at one game apiece, let's see how the loss of Tejada affects the Mets quest in the postseason.
Lets Go Mets! After spotting the Dodgers 3 runs, the Mets exploded to score 10 runs during the 2nd, 3rd & 4th innings to take a 2-1 lead in the NLDS. Matt Harvey struggled with his stuff but the Mets offence took control of the game. Home runs by Cespedes and Travis d'Arnaud led the 13 hit barrage. A terrible 9th inning by Eric Goeddel, who could not get an out and gave up 3 late Dodger runs. Jeurys Familia came in and got the last three outs.
Ticket Cost: $118
Time of game: 3:42
Attendance: 44,276
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My first playoff game and it lived up to my expectations. The crowd was electric, there was not an empty seat in the ballpark. As I drove into the parking lot I noticed they did not have the Citi Perks parking that was there all season. Cost me $25 to park and I couldn't park in my usual space. While getting my stuff together I realized I had California license plates. OK, call me paranoid but I got two Mets hats out of my trunk and put one in the back window and the other on the front dashboard.
 Game #3 view |
This is my seat for all the home playoff games. I have the potential to see nine games from this seat before I start to head back home. I just don't know how many are going to be on my schedule for sure. One game at a time.
The last time the Mets were in a postseason game was 2006 at Shea Stadium. In the 7 year history of the Mets playing at Citi Field, the postseason has stayed away. The above video shows some of the preparation of the ballpark for this Division Series game 3.
 Citi Field packed |
The packed ballpark was loud and exploded when Cespedes and Conforto homered. It was a festive atmosphere like none I've seen before. Chants and cheers galore. It was the largest crowd ever at Citi Field.
 Team introductions & National Anthem |
When both teams hit the sidelines for player introductions, the Dodger training staff was booed robustly by the packed house. Then the coaching staff were individually booed including former slugger Mark McGuire. When Chase Utley's face hit the video screen the boos intensified to drown out the public address person for the next four players. I'd never seen such a welcome before.
When the introductions resumed on the Mets sideline every staff member and player got cheered heartily by the Citi Faithful. Then someone came up the dugout steps and onto the field. I could see the #11 jersey as Ruben Tejada, with the help of a cane, slowly made his way to the sidelines. Ruben got the biggest ovation from the crowd.
 Rusty Staub threw out the first pitch |
Mets legend Rusty Staub surprised me by walking out to the mound to throw the first pitch. He had some medical issues during a recent flight from Ireland and there was concern for his health. Rusty was welcomed by the Mets faithful with a roar of appreciation as he bounced his ceremonial pitch to home.
 Mets Win - 9 more to go! |
It was a very Happy Harvey Day at Citi tonight. After the game I was one of the last to leave, getting just a couple more notes for my scrapbook. As I approached my car sitting by itself in the parking lot I noticed a cup on top of the roof, sitting on the closed sunroof. It was half full of beer but there were no indications that some one wanted to harm the car from the Dodgers home state. Maybe the car was protected by my Mets hat on the dash.
