WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Record crowd shows up for Mets’ season debut at Citi
WHAT’S THE DEAL with all these Mets fans?
Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and a record crowd of orange and blue faithful couldn’t curb their enthusiasm for the Mets on Monday, making for a memorable, and at times, inconvenient day at Citi Field.
And that could be just the start of a big season in Queens.
With temperatures in the mid-60s and a few harmless puffy cumulus clouds in the sky, the Mets drew a sellout crowd of 43,947 to Citi Field Monday − the largest regular-season crowd in the seven-year history of the park. Only the 2013 All-Star Game drew a larger crowd (45,186). The official capacity is listed at 41,922.
The throng of fans led to long lines entering the regular gates and VIP lounges 30 minutes before first pitch. At the front of Citi Field, the line stretched from the Jackie Robinson Rotunda to the foot of the 7 train platform steps and caused a delay of about 20 minutes. The line for the VIP entrance — which included actor Oliver Platt, who played George Steinbrenner in “The Bronx Is Burning” — was also long.
Still, fans didn’t seem to mind.
“I haven’t been this excited in years,” said longtime fan Steve O’Dell, 60, who lives in Westchester County. “There’s a special vibe this year. They have built up really strong pitching.”
And thanks to Matt Harvey’s return from Tommy John surgery, the big crowd Monday may be just the start.
The attendance for Tuesday’s game — which will be Harvey’s first home start since 2013 — could get close to 40,000. Harvey will also pitch Sunday at home, with another big crowd expected. Last year’s second home game drew around 29,000 to Citi Field.
The Mets, in a statement, said that due to a 20%
increase in ticket sales this year, fans need to get to the game early to ensure a quick entry.
“A record number of fans were through the turnstiles at Citi Field by first pitch. With a 20+% increase in ticket sales for the 2015 season, we continue to strongly encourage fans to take mass transit and arrive early., the statement read.
The big crowds are just what the Mets’ owners need. Last season, the team averaged 26,860 per home game, ranking them 21st of the 30 MLB teams. It’s a steep decline from Citi Field’s first season in 2009, when the team drew 3.1 million fans and averaged 38,941 a game.
Back then, the new field was the draw. This year, a team with legitimate playoff hopes could fill the seats. “Ya gotta believe,” said Vicki Ryan, 19, of Staten Island. “I really think they are going to make it to the playoffs.”
— with Lisa L. Colangelo and Corky Siemaszko