I clicked to the Mets Today blog with the illustrious Joe Janish one day and read a feature about the ‘Citi’ in Citi Field being under threat of enforced retraction [original SN article here]. I’m open to it. The team has an identity problem. It’s bad enough that Daryl Boston was called upon to represent Dwight Gooden’s number in the Shea Stadium Closing Ceremonies, but the “Mets” and their members deserve recognition from the organization, before Jackie Robinson assists with political favors and before CitiBank pitches in $400M. In fairness, it’s a real problem for many teams: how do you both honor the organization’s history, and provide innovative and profitable sources of revenue?
That said, an impromptu think tank came together [myself, jrz, buddio, GiantDamnYankee, macphistto01, dallasbomber7] in August of last year on the DN discussion pages on the heels of the “Jackie Robinson” Rotunda and “Citi”Field naming announcements. I’ve reproduced the results below. Feel free to add to the list:
The Kaz Matsui Rotunda
The Keith Hernandez Honorary Rail
The Dwight Gooden Observation Deck [highest spot in the park]
The Saberhagen Laundromat
Strawberry Field
The Bobby Bonilla Ball Pit
The Buckner Grounds
The Rey Ordonez Bus Stop
Choo Choo Coleman Train Station
The Lenny Dykstra Juice Bar
The Harry Carey Hot Dog Stand
The Mike Piazza Nail Salon
The Vince Coleman Fireworks Hut
The Rickey Henderson Poker Room
The Billy Wagner Meatball Stand
Kris Benson’s Titty Bar
Benitez Barber Shop
Gary Carter Employment Office
Pedro’s Fried Chicken
Heilman’s Tattoo Parlor
Cleon Jones Van Shop
Octavio Dotel Hotel
Jose Reyes Day Care
Kevin Mac-n-Cheese Shack
John Franco’s Dogs
Duaner Sanchez Taxi Service
Tom Glavine Dental Clinic
Ron Darling Loan Center
Tom Glavine Dental Clinic
The Omar Minaya Pawn Shop
The Jerry Manuel Garden
Dallas Green Anger Management Clinic
Art Howe Sleep Center
The Willie Randolph Scapegoat Petting Zoo
The Mister Met Memorial
Dave Magadan Walkway
Wally Backman Wife Beater and Finance Center
Rusty Staub’s Leather Accoutrements
UPDATE: In the interest of fairness, what other bajillion-dollar sports megacomplex needs help, and how can we do that?
