NewsMets begin to make history at Citi Field
Details for Monday's regular-season opener at new park
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
04/13/09 12:00 AM ET
When the Mets and Padres take the field on Monday evening for the first regular-season game at Citi Field, they will begin the process of making history. It is the second permanent home for the Mets in their 47-year history, and their third overall. It also is, for Mets fans, something new and completely different.To that end, here is a list of what to look for at Monday's home opener, the first at Citi Field:
GAME INFORMATION:
Game time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Television information: SNY and ESPN
Starting pitchers: Mets: Mike Pelfrey; Padres: Walter Silva
Starting lineups
Mets: Jose Reyes, SS; Daniel Murphy, LF; David Wright, 3B; Carlos Delgado, 1B; Carlos Beltran, CF; Ryan Church, RF; Brian Schneider, C; Luis Castillo, 2B; Pelfrey, P
Padres: Jody Gerut, CF; David Eckstein, 2B; Brian Giles, RF; Adrian Gonzalez, 1B; Chase Headley, LF; Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B; Nick Hundley, C; Luis Rodriguez, SS; Silva, P
PREGAME INFORMATION:
Ceremonial first pitch: Tom Seaver to Mike Piazza
Other Mets luminaries in attendance: Dwight Gooden, Rusty Staub, John Franco, Ralph Kiner
GETTING TO THE GAME:
Public transportation: The Mets and the Metropolitan Transit Authority are encouraging fans to take the 7 Train to the game. Commemorative Citi Field MetroCards now are available at 10 major stations along the 7 Train line.
Train service is available to Mets-Willets Point Station on eastbound Port Washington Branch trains from Penn Station and westbound trains from Great Neck and Port Washington.
Citi Field also is served by the Q48 bus.
Parking: There are six parking lots within the fence line to the north and west of Citi Field that accommodate prepaid parking. Cars can park in these lots for $18. In total, there are 8,500 spaces between on-site and adjacent off-site parking.
CITI FIELD FACTS:
Capacity: 42,000 seats, broken down as follows: 18,000 Field Level, 7,800 Excelsior Level, 15,500 Promenade Level
Luxury suites: There are 54 total suites, broken down as follows: 10 Sterling Suites, 39 Empire Suites and five Empire Party Suites
Highlights: The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is Citi Field's main entranceway, inspired by Ebbets Field and featuring words and images that depict Robinson's nine cherished values.
The 2K Sports FanFest area behind the main scoreboard features a wiffleball field replica of Citi Field, a batting cage and a dunk tank.
The Pepsi Porch is a 1,284-seat area that extends over fair territory in right field.
CONCESSIONS
In addition to six clubs and lounges, Citi Field features a 41 percent increase in concession points of sale over Shea Stadium. Restaurateur Danny Meyer's specialty concession stands -- Blue Smoke, Shake Shack, El Verano Taqueria and Box Frites -- are available in the Taste of New York food court directly behind the main scoreboard.
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
