FOUR POINTS FLUSHING.

Four Points Flushing. The Official Hotel of the Queens Baseball Convention and The MediaGoon.com

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Minor League Baseball Statement

 



The Very First Thing I Want Steve Cohen To Do When He Takes Over.




 Everyone keeps thinking about the front office and player moves that they want Steve Cohen to make when he takes control over the Mets. I want him to do one thing as soon as he gets into the mega zord control room. I want him to pay Bobby Bonilla one lump sum of what he is still owed from his deferred payments. I know, I know, there are so many other things that should take priority over this like getting a Catcher or a Centerfielder. I am just so tired of hearing the same stupid it’s Bobby Bonilla Day hack joke that’s been going on for years. It was funny the first couple of timed but every year someone things they are funny about posting the joke. 

If Cohen pays this off  Bonilla in one lump sum, then one of the bigger things that the Wilpons made the Mets the brunt of jokes go away. This would be a quick, “This is done. Now we move on” kind of thing that would quiet down the Mets are jokes because they still pay a retired player even though other  teams do this also.

Steve Cohen please get rid of this hack joke for all Mets fans.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Mets Sweat Hoodie

 As we approach sweater weather I started to check out Mets hoodies. I don't get this two toned logo.



Active New York Mets fans will love the lightweight coverage of this Split Logo hoodie top from Nike. The polyester blend is equipped with Dri-FIT technology to keep you comfortable and performing at your best. Adorned with the New York Mets logo on the chest, you can show your support for the team that has provided you with countless memories over the years.


Sunday, September 27, 2020

The first @The7LineArmy outing and RA Dickey's 20th win game was 8 years ago today.

 


I didn't realize this until I took a look at one of my walls today.




That's right. it is a game used base from September 27th 2012.Eight years have gone by so fast. It doesn't feel like it has been this long. Almost a full decade. It was the day of RA Dickey's 20th win and also the start of the 7LineArmy with it's first official outing.I've been a part of  The 7Line Army since day one. Darren is a close friend of mine and it is amazing where he has built the7line and the7lineArmy brands over the years. Congratulations to him and to all the folks who have come to the road trips and home games over the years. I have met a lot of my close and dear friends through the T7LA and I am proud to be a part of this group and to be friends with Darren and friends like Shoe, Kelly, Lizy, Drew, Evan, Meesh, Dan , MJ, Nancy, Bianca, and so many others that I would be writing here for days. Also if it wasn't for The 7Line I know we wouldn't have ever thought of trying to get the Queens Baseball Convention off the ground.

From Wikipedia
The first outing was the final home game of the 2012 season, September 27. Meenan had the idea to try to host a group outing. He began by purchasing 100 tickets in the Big Apple Reserve section, and then when they sold out, he purchased 100 more, and then 100 more. In the end, he sold 550 tickets to the game.

Now along with it being the first outing it was also a great bright spot in a so so season for the Mets and us fans. It was RA Dickey going for his 20th win and to help secure the CY Young award for 2012. This was a full blown fun hang with a group of fellow fans sitting in pretty empty stadium having a great time cheering with each other and hitting the highs of knowing that Dickey was going to win his 20th game. We all went crazy cheering after the game and it was one of the best days I have had at Citi Field. I am anticipating going back and being able to hang out with all my peeps again.






The Mets and the Wilpon Era end today.

 


Yes, the Mets were officially done yesterday in game one of the double header. Yes, the Wilpons officially still own the team until the owners approving the sale of the team to Steve Cohen. I have to tall you guys something. I am not upset that the Mets got knocked out of the playoffs yesterday. It even made me smile a little bit. The Mets came down to the wire and gave the Wilpons some hope that their last season as majority owners of the Mets ended in a post season run. Nope. That didn't happen. As usual because of the Wilpons being inept at putting together a team that could make the playoffs. This is a perfect end point for the Wilpons and their ownership of the New York Mets. Because they couldn't afford to adding the final one or two pieces that would make a solid contender they would skimp out on it and there would just be just enough of a tease of the team being good and being a contender and then everything just falls apart. So I am happy today that the Wilpons are going out with a another losing season but thank goodness it should be their last one.

Hey Wilpons. How are the payments going in the Islanders development going?  

Friday, September 25, 2020

Orange and Blue Thing interviews David Wright.



OABT S4 E16: LIVE WITH DAVID WRIGHT

This Mets legend is just a couple years removed from the ball field. He leads the team all time offensively in numerous categories, should have his number retired soon enough, and has a book titled The Captain about to drop on October 13th. He's our friend, and yours. The one, the only, number 5, and soon to be father of 3, David Wright. Darren Meenan and Julia Quadrino live with The Captain from T7LHQ.

This is our 2020 OABT season finale! We'll see you in 2021 around Spring Training, and hopefully the world is in a better place by then.  

Watch above, or CLICK HERE TO PLAY ON YOUTUBE,
CLICK HERE FOR IGtv,
HERE FOR TWITTER/PERISCOPE,
OR HERE FOR FB LIVE.



Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Claim your cutout at Citi Field

 If you have a cut out at Citi Field you can claim your cut out from there. Mets did something right. Too bad they didn't let people know that they could have it ahead of time.











NEW YORK METS LAUNCH MR. MET DIGITAL BOBBLEHEAD



 I can't tell if this is cool or lame. I am glad one of the Mets PR guys still sends me stuff.


NEW YORK METS LAUNCH MR. MET DIGITAL BOBBLEHEAD 

Innovative giveaway for fans since they cannot attend games

 

FLUSHING, N.Y., September 23, 2020 – The Mets announced today that the team will bring Mr. Met to their fans in the unique form of a digital bobblehead giveaway. As the name suggests, a digital bobblehead replicates the fan-favorite collectible in the digital medium through a high-quality 3D model which is viewable in the browser of any smartphone or tablet. In addition to the familiar bobbling head motion, the digital figure can be viewed from any angle, revealing rich design details. The underside of the figure contains a value-added user bonus which is revealed by a digital scratch-off card.

 

The Mr. Met digital bobblehead features the beloved mascot in his familiar thumbs-up pose. The giveaway also links to a video retrospective of Mr. Met through the years and the scratch-off underneath the figure reveals a link to additional exclusive Mr. Met content that users may access and download for a limited time. The digital figure will be hosted on the team's mobile website (www.mets.com) and a link will be distributed to all fans on the team's email list. The giveaway is sponsored by team partner Citi.

 

“We are thrilled to provide our loyal fans a digital Mr. Met Bobblehead since they have been unable to see him in person at Citi Field this season,” Executive VP and Chief Revenue Officer Lou DePaoli said. “We look forward to our fans enjoying this very innovative and interactive giveaway.” 

 

The Mr. Met giveaway was created by Digital Giveaways Group LLC ("DiGG"), a New York early-stage company that is pioneering the next generation of sports and event giveaways by migrating traditional formats, including bobbleheads, to a browser-based digital platform.  The initiative was facilitated by AthLife, Inc, a DiGG affiliate.

 

About Digital Giveaways Group LLC

Digital Giveaways Group LLC (DiGG) is an early-stage company pioneering the next generation of sports and event giveaways by migrating traditional formats like bobblehead dolls to a browser-based digital platform.  In addition to being one of the few viable methods of broad fan engagement available during the COVID-19 pandemic, digitization also modernizes giveaways by adding interactivity, user and usage data capture, and performance metrics.

 

About Athlife, Inc.

Established in 2004, AthLife, Inc. is a privately owned company that holds service contracts with many sports and entertainment properties including Marvel Entertainment, the NBA & G League, NFLPA, The Trust (powered by the NFLPA), Major League Soccer, Major League Soccer Players Association, National Basketball Retired Players Association, and college and university athletic departments. Since 2010, AthLife has helped facilitate hundreds of events and activations for and in conjunction with our partners.  

 


SNY for sale?



From The NY Post

I have heard over the years that the other partners in SNY really can't stand the Wilpons/Mets and have clashed with the Wilpons/Mets in the past. And it has gone the other way too. Even though they are saying the Wilpons own 65 percent of SNY, there are about 800 million dollars of loans leaned agains that percentage. I have been told by some folks( I don't know how much of this is true though so it is just here say right now) that some of those loans have come from the partners of SNY.

 The Wilpon family is open to selling the SNY cable television station after they finish selling the Mets, sources close to the situation said.

They would like the buyer of their 65 percent stake in SNY to be the new owner of the team, which looks to be Steve Cohen.

This month Cohen signed a deal to buy the Mets for about $2.45 billion, a record price paid for a sports team, and is now hoping to get approval from three-quarters of Major League Baseball team owners so he can complete the deal.

There have been no talks, though, between Cohen and the Wilpons about SNY, sources said, disagreeing with media reports Tuesday saying Cohen has an exclusive 30-day window to buy SNY once he closes the Mets deal.

“No preconditions exist,” a source said.

Read more here

It makes no sense for the Wilpons to keep their shares because even thought they are "making" money on it, they also owe a ton of money.  

Meta Post Game Notes 9/22/2020

 


Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Original Shea Stadium Turnstile For Sale

 Man I hate to do this but I am selling my original Shea Stadium turnstile

Turnstile still works and has an MLB hologram.

Asking $1,250

If you are interested you can email me at dantwohig@gmail.com or tweet me @DTwohig






Mets Post Game Notes 9/21/2020

 


Safe to say the season and playoff hope is over for the Mets.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Mets Fan Appreciation Week Sweepstakes.



 As the regular season comes to a close, we are excited to host Fan Appreciation Week, September 18-23. This is a week dedicated to you, the best fans in baseball. Join us virtually on social media and mets.com throughout the homestand against the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays for giveaways, prizes and unique offerings.

We look forward to celebrating you this week!

Fans will be randomly chosen on Twitter, to win prizes, game-used memorabilia, experiences and merchandise.

Click here.

Mets Post Game notes /9/19/2020

 



Friday, September 18, 2020

I didn’t know the Mets came back to win last night.



I have to tell you that it is so bad that the Mets have me trained that they won’t come back to win a game that I go to bed instead of keep watching the outcome. I am back to work for the third straight week after being sidelined because production on tv shows shut down for six months. My schedule is different now and I am waking up between 4am to 6 am every day. I get tired earlier and don’t force myself to say up to finish a game that seems like it a lost cause. And it’s not like I don’t want to try to watch the game but some nights it’s just not worth it. 

The Mets are in the playoff hunt. The expanded playoff hunt that is. If they are going to continue on with this playoff system like the Owners want to do in 2021 and beyond, fine. I just want the teams reseeded every round of the playoffs like in hockey. Don’t know if it would work but this is what my brain is saying to me.

————————-_

There is a huge white tent in the the employee parking lot at Citi Field now. I mean huge. I couldn’t take a pic of it but it’s the size of a small one floor building and looks to have three truck loading bays to get into it. I have no idea what it’s for and I can grab a pic of it I will.


—————————

I just realized I during have a lot to write about the last couple  days and just don’t like to force myself to write something to write something on here. So if you were looking on this site and were disappointed, sorry.



Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Mets Announce 2021 Spring Training Schedule




FLUSHING, N.Y., September 16, 2020 – The New York Mets today announced that the club will open its 2021 Spring Training Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday, February 27 against Miami at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, FL. Pitchers and catchers are set to report on Wednesday, February 17, while position players will report on Monday, February 22. 

 

The Mets will host their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, at Clover Park on Sunday March 14. In addition, the Boston Red Sox will come to Port St. Lucie on Thursday, March 25. The Mets have three Saturday home games and two Sunday contests at Clover Park next year.

 

The Mets will play 31 exhibition games in 2021, including 16 home games in Port St. Lucie. The Mets will play the Washington Nationals seven times, the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals six times each and the Red Sox, Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays twice each. 

 

The Mets play their home games at Clover Park, which has been the team’s Florida home since moving from St. Petersburg, FL in 1988. Prior to last year, Clover Park underwent a $55 million renovation that modernized the facility for fans, players and staff. Upgrades for fans included a grand entrance, new seats, expanded concourses, new concession stands, larger merchandise shops, an additional elevator, a partial boardwalk wrapped around left field and the creation of the Jim Beam Bar. New player amenities included better practice fields, batting cages, clubhouses, a bigger weight room and more training rooms.

 

The 2021 Spring Training schedule is subject to change and game times will be announced a later date.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

For Mets Fans, Christmas came in September.




Here you go Mets fans. You got your Christmas in September. Only thing you have in front of you now is anticipation and  some nervousness until November. Will Steve Cohen get approved by the other MLB owners? I think he will. While they might be worried about his deep pockets and spending on free agency making the free agent market pricing jump a up a bit, he also did something to make them smile. He has made all the teams values shoot up a bit. Think of it as if someone in your neighborhood is selling a house a couple blocks away. It might be on a bigger lot(NYC) than your home (St Louis) but your home itself is very similar in layout, modern amenities, etc. This house that sold for a high number just brought up your price a bit because you can use it as a comp. Plus now that neighbor isn't in deep debt and the bank isn't going to foreclose on it and bring everyones value down. Also if you were friendly with that neighbor you don't have to lend him any more money if he asked for it. What I am trying to say is I think Cohen gets approved because it benefits MLB owners in the long run.

From the NY Post.
“I am excited to have reached an agreement with the Wilpon and Katz families to purchase the New York Mets,” was Cohen’s simple 20-word statement released through the team Monday afternoon. It caps a roller coaster for Mets fans who saw Cohen go from a certainty to out of the bidding entirely, then back in, and finally to where we sit now, with Cohen only needing 23 of baseball’s 30 owners to approve him.

Mets fans haven’t been this happy since Marty Barrett swung through a Jesse Orosco fastball on the evening of Oct. 27, 1986. The Mets won their second World Series that night, and stood atop the baseball world — but for many Mets fans, that team and that time symbolized something else: the one time the Mets were as one with the swagger of their city.

The Mets’ prior championship, in 1969, had been a feel-good paradox, good team and better fortune. It is hard to conjure anything representing New York City being an underdog but those Mets were. And in many ways, so have the good Mets teams that have followed — in 1999 and 2000, in 2006, in 2015. Much of that was the re-emergence of the Yankees after the close of the ’80s, re-staking a claim to the town’s baseball soul that’s held strong for close to 30 years; they cast an enormous shadow.Yes, he is worth that $14 billon, and as Forbes pointed out the next three richest baseball owners — Ted Lerner (Nationals), Christopher Ilitch (Tigers) and Greg Johnson (Giants) — are worth $13.1 billion combined. And Cohen will surely take advantage of that.
But what Cohen represents as much, for Mets fans, is an attitude. He is one of them. And all you need to do is look at his career: he loathes losing. It is anathema to him. And that makes him even more one of them.

And it’s that attitude that made him more appealing to Mets fans than the marriage of Sports and Page Six that J-Rod would have been, and certainly more than the plenty-rich guys who own the Devils. This is what Mets fans have craved. And this is what they get now.
Read  more here.

The NY DAILY NEWS seems to be Anti Wilpon now.

But Steve Cohen, operating the team like a normal(ish) big market franchise, or shoot — a normal anything — could slap his name on a check to JT Realmuto and push their already great offense to another level. Even if they didn’t nab Realmuto from the Phillies and simply refused to punt the most important defensive position in the game, the team could take a massive leap.
The pitching side further exemplifies this. If there was a team in need of a warm body or two capable of allowing three runs over six innings — basically Rick Porcello in better days — it’s the Mets. They don’t need to play in the Trevor Bauer market. They just need to not embarrass themselves on the days when Jake deGrom isn’t competing for Cy Young awards. Zack Wheeler is entirely on his own the gap between this year’s Mets and Phillies in the standings. Retaining a decent pitcher isn’t exactly going out and getting Gerrit Cole.
Here’s where the bar is for Cohen. Whether he keeps Brodie Van Wagenen or not, his predecessors couldn’t even spell BVW’s name right. Baseline competence is all that is needed here.
Take heart, Mets fans. Your team doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. They play in the largest media market in the country. The team has been in an 18-year tunnel, but all tunnels end. Greatness is attainable. For the first time in decades, Cohen’s entrance gives the chance to cross replacement level, and maybe, the finish line.
Read more here.

Monday, September 14, 2020

Mets Facebook page makes Steve Cohen Announcement



Steve Cohen signs the Papers to buy the Mets

From the NY POST 

art by @grafixjoker

 

 The price according to sources was between $2.4 and $2.45 billion, which is a record for a North American sports team. The previous mark was set by another hedge fund billionaire, David Tepper, when he bought the Panthers for $2.275 billion in 2018.

That means the next hurdles are Cohen being vetted by an ownership subcommittee that will then make a recommendation to the larger group whether to accept Cohen into their club. A vote of all owners is expected to come before November and Cohen would need 23 yeas to succeed Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz as the majority owner of the Mets.

“I am excited to have reached an agreement with the Wilpon and Katz families to purchase the New York Mets,” Cohen said in a statement.

Read more here


Now, doe he get approved or does the Cloverfield monster come out and wipe out Citi Field because it is 2020?

Folks are saying Steve Cohen is going to Citi Field today to sign paper. Hmmm

 


This is an interesting tweet. I wonder what AROD and JLO think.


Let's see what AMNY has to say.   

Steve Cohen and the Wilpon family are expected to sign an agreement transferring majority ownership of the New York Mets to the hedge-fund billionaire on Monday, a source told amNewYork Metro on Sunday night. 

It’s a major hurdle that is set to be cleared in the 64-year-old’s pursuit of 80% of the MLB club, just seven months after his original bid for the team fell through. 

That means if 23 of 29 MLB team owners approve Cohen’s takeover during their scheduled meeting in November, he will assume control of the club immediately then. 

A source originally informed amNewYork Metro last week that negotiations between Cohen — valued at $14.6 billion — and the Mets were successful.

Read more here





Sunday, September 13, 2020

Looks like WPIX has been sold.

 



Looks like WPIX was sold. It seems complicated but there ya go.

From TVNEWSCHECK.COM   

E.W. Scripps said today that it has been informed that Nexstar Media Group Inc. has transferred its option to purchase Scripps’ New York CW affiliate WPIX to Mission Broadcasting and that Mission has exercised its option to purchase the station.

The option price is $75 million plus accrued interest, to be calculated on the period between the Sept. 19, 2019, purchase date of WPIX by Scripps and the option sale closing date.

Scripps purchased WPIX as part of its acquisition of eight television stations in seven markets from Nexstar. Those stations were being divested in connection with Nexstar’s acquisition of Tribune Media in September 2019.

Read more here


NY METS Game Used 2020 base up for auction.

 I haven't done this in a while but here is something you can bid onf Amazin Memorabilia right now.



  • ITEM DESCRIPTION

    This game used 1st base was used during innings 1-3 as the Mets played the Marlins on August 8, 2020 at Citi Field. Do not miss the opportunity to own this unique piece of Mets memorabilia. The New York Mets donate net proceeds from the sale of Amazin' Memorabilia items to the Mets Foundation. For more information about the Mets Foundation and/or Amazin' Memorabilia, please visit mets.com/gameused. The availability of items varies, but for questions about this piece or different numbers, players, colors, or sizes please contact Amazin' Memorabilia, The Official Source for New York Mets Game Used and Autographed Memorabilia, by emailing gameused@nymets.com or by calling 718-559-3144. An MLB Authentication Program tamperproof hologram is affixed to each piece of Amazin' Memorabilia. The New York Mets do not provide certificates of authenticity for items. Printed documentation verifying the authenticity of your item can be obtained by visiting mlb.com/authentication. In connection with efforts to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus, authenticated items from the 2020 60-Game MLB Season will be stored without human interaction or contact for 48 hours prior to processing for shipment.
You can find it at Amazin Memorabilia.


Friday, September 11, 2020

According to SNY.tv Mets to wear First Responder Caps tonight in honor of 9/11




For years there have been a bunch of us trying to get the Mets to not listen to MLB and just wear the 9/11 First Responder Caps. Thank you for finally listening. Thank you to Pete Alonso with doing a little swerve last season with buying custom 9/11 cleats as gifts for his teammates to wear.

From SNY.tv

 For the first time since returning to play in 2001 in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the Mets will wear first responder hats in-game on Friday night when the play the Blue Jays in Buffalo.

"We're really excited that this year we're gonna be able to wear commemorative hats in the game," Pete Alonso said Friday during an appearance with Moose and Maggie on WFAN. "So years prior, we weren't allowed to. I think because of last year with the cleats and also Jeff Wilpon was in the commissioner's ear about letting us wear the hats to represent people who responded that day -- FDNY, NYPD, Sanitation, Port Authority, and EMTs. 

"Without those people, who knows what could've happened. So we're gonna be commemorating those people with five different hats. You're gonna have people representing those different organizations on the field today. I'm really excited that we get to represent everybody that was there to help and save others."

For MLB, part of its position prior to 2020 had been that it didn't want to be in the business of ranking tragedies, with one example being its refusal to let the Nationals wear Virginia Tech hats after a gunman slaughtered 32 people on campus on April 16, 2007.

While speaking last year, former Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre explained that reasoning.

"We try to keep the hats the way they are because every team could really have a legitimate reason to want to wear a different hat to honor something that happened in their particular area," Torre said. "And we just try to keep it consistent with the uniform."

Torre's response last year drew the ire of Mike Piazza, who said the reasoning was understandable but that Sept. 11 was not "analogous" with other tragedies. 

Read more here.

@Metspolice says wear the first responders caps on 9/11

This post is from 2019 and it still hasn't changed.I took this whole post from metspolice.com from. He is 1000000% right in this.



Welcome to essay number 9000 about whey the Mets should WEAR THE CAPS on September 11th.
You can read yesterday’s piece about what happens ewhen you break the rules – you get a letter from Joe Torre if you break the rules (oooo scary).
And now we have this.  A team decided not to wear what they were supposed to.  The Cubs blew off dopey Players Weekend and took the field in blue caps.
Just noticed that Lance Lynn is wearing a black hat while the rest of the defense is wearing a white one -- is that an MLB rule for pitchers due to ball visibility concerns?
Yes. The Cubs wore blue caps today instead, but heard MLB sent a memo to the other teams telling them they had to go with white caps & black on pitcher.
See Jen Jen's other Tweets
So once again, I say WEAR THE CAPS Mets. Come on Thor, you follow me, you don’t care what people think. Get Mr. Polar Bear behind this. Is baseball really going to have a whistling match with you guys over 9/11? I would LOVE to see that fight in the court of public opinion.
What’s going to happen to the Cubs? NOTHING. Some dude on the Cardinals took the field in a red cap. What will happen? Nothing. Maybe a letter from Joe Torre. Oooh scary.
What’s going to happen to the Mets? Torre will send you a letter (maybe), and he will  call and yell at Brodie or Jeff or someone. Who cares?  Actually Jeff getting yelled at it is reason alone to do it.
Mr. Thor, Mr. Polar Bear – you will get a letter from Torre.  Ooooh scary.  You will also be heroes forever. Here’s page 217 of your union’s CBA.

WEAR THE CAPS!