MINOR LEAGUE

Former Mets players Mike Piazza and Tom Seaver throw out the first pitch during opening day at Citi Field on April 13, 2009.

David Wright hits the first Mets homerun at Citi Field on April 13, 2009.

On April 17, 2009 Gary Sheffield hit his 500th homerun.

Citi Field
New York, NY

For almost a half of a century, the Mets have called New York City their home. Shea Stadium, the Mets home for 44 years, was a stadium that was loved by some and hated by others as it was a multipurpose stadium that lacked many amenities that fans sought. Throughout the mid 1990s and into this century the Mets campaigned to have a new ballpark built that would have all of the modern luxuries of new ballparks. After more than five years of discussion, the New York Mets unveiled plans for a new ballpark in April 2006. In March 2006, the Mets received approval for $632.1 million in bonds for construction of a new ballpark. On November 13, 2006 the Mets officially broke ground for the new ballpark that was built in the parking lot beyond the outfield of Shea Stadium. Citigroup, Inc., a financial service company purchased the naming rights to the new ballpark for $20 million per year over 20 years.

Whether arriving at the ballpark by car or stepping off the 7 Train, some older fans may have flashbacks to more than 50 years ago when the Brooklyn Dodgers played at Ebbets Field. The exterior and facade of Citi Field evokes memories of the former home of the Dodgers with its red brick and limestone facade and arched entrances. The most striking feature at Citi Field is the Jackie Robinson rotunda at the main entrance of the ballpark. Upon entering the rotunda, the view and atmosphere is just as impressive as the outside facade. Nine ideals associated with Jackie Robinson are engraved on the floor and flat panel TVs play highlights of Robinson's career. Escalators and grand staircases take fans to their seats. Throughout the ballpark, fans continually have views of the ballpark from the open air concourses including from the split level upper deck.

With a seating capacity of 42,000, Citi Field has an intimacy that was not found at Shea Stadium. Nearly 42% of the seats are found in the lower deck. The main three tier grandstand runs from the right field foul pole to home plate, down to the left field foul pole and into left centerfield. Additional seating is located in right field. Over 50 luxury suites are found at the ballpark including ones behind home plate below the main concourse. In right field the Pepsi Porch, that seats over 1,200 fans, can be found. This seating area, modeled after Tiger Stadium, overhangs the playing field, and may allow for some easy homeruns. One of the most unique group areas at Citi Field is the Modell's Clubhouse, a group seating area in right field, on the field level, that provides an awesome perspective of the action on the field. Several exclusive club areas can be found at Citi Field including the Ebbets Club and Delta Sky Club behind homeplate, and the Acela Club, a restaurant, located in the left-field corner between the lower and upper decks.

Amenities are abound at Citi Field including the enhanced outfield picnic area adjacent to the batter's eye that is known as the Taste of the City. Here fans can grab a bite to eat and mingle with other Mets fans. Further entertainment options at Citi Field include an interactive Mets museum with club memorabilia and Hall of Fame displays. The famous big apple at Shea Stadium has been replicated at Citi Field. It is now located behind the centerfield fence and rises each time a Mets player hits a homerun. Fans can now take their picture with the old Apple, as it is located in the Bullpen Plaza behind the seats in centerfield. Also moved from Shea Stadium is the famous skyline that was atop the scoreboard, as it is now atop a restaurant in centerfield. Two HD video/scoreboards can be found at the ballpark, one 50' high by 70' wide in centerfield and one 40' high by 90' wide in right-centerfield. The New York Mets christened Citi Field on April 13, 2009 when they played the San Diego Padres. 

BALLPARK MERCHANDISE

Citi Field Poster
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed
by Mike Smith

Citi Field Poster
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Citi Field 1st Game 24KT Gold Coin PhotoMint
13"x16" Limited to 5,000

2009 Opening Day Citi Field Poster with Signatures
12"x20" Limited to 2,009

Citi Field Inaugural Season Archival Etched Glass Gold Coin PhotoMint
14"x18" Limited to 2,009

Citi Field Poster
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Citi Field Inaugural Season 24KT Gold Coin Photo Mint
13"x16" Limited to 5,000

First Pitch at Citi Field
by Rob Arra
13.5" x 39" Framed

CITI FIELD FACTS AND FIGURES

2009 METS SCHEDULE

CITI FIELD PICTURES