During our visit to NYC in late May 2012 we got blooded on the All American national obsession that is baseball. NYC has two major league teams, the 'Yankees' and the 'Mets', but we chose the latter, mainly because the Yankees were playing away from home. However, we were not disappointed because the Mets have a brand spanking new $900 million stadium that was opened in 2009 following the demolition of their former home, the Shea stadium.
We were staying in a swish hotel right in the heart of Times Square, so in order to get to Citi Field we had to get on the NYC Metro to Queens. The first game started at 1.10 in the blazing heat of the early afternoon and we were determined to be at the start. The match was played against the San Antonio Padres on the 27 May 2012.
The approach to Citi Field from the Willets Point metro station.
Refreshments from the recreational zone behind Left Field (where the famous Shake shack is).
Centre field. Notice that all of the seats in the stadium are Green, which is a tribute to the Polo Ground which was the long time home of the New York Giants.
The recreational zone behind right field is known as 'Pepsi Porch' and is accessed via the Shea bridge from centre field.
The spectacular view from behind the Bullpen. Just below the right score board is the Shea Bridge which is a tribute to Hell Gate Bridge, one of the many bridges that link all of the boroughs of NYC.
Sue enjoying the game in Left Field.
Outside of the stadium is impressive.
On the way back to Willets point we cross the bridge to Flushing Meadows tennis courts and Corona Park.
We were so hooked after our first game that we came back to Citi Filed for an evening game against the Philadelphia Phillies on 30 May 2012. On entering the stadium we pass by the 'Shea Home Run Apple' which was preserved from the old stadium and located on Mets Plaza just in front of the 'Jackie Robinson Rotunda'
The Jackie Robinson Rotunda
After a short queue we finally get to taste the best burgers in town at the famous 'Shake Shack'.
Left of field in front of all the Green seats.
Great skyline showing 'Shea Bridge' and 'Pepsi Porch'.
View from the top.
'Shake Shack' taken from above.
Go Mets!
The ball game gets under way
The Mets hit a home run and we are fortunate enough to see the Home Run Apple rise from its perch just below us in Centre Field. Two days later on 2 June the Mets were to record their first ever 'no-hitter', when the Mets' Pitcher Johan Santana plays the perfect game against the world champions, Saint Louis Cardinals.
We received the news of the 'no hitter' whist on the ferry to Statten Island. A no hitter is extremely rare and can only be awarded if the Pitcher pitches at least 9 innings and does not concede a single scoring hit.
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