A Little Bit of Everything At Sheaa??

Last night I headed out to Shea and watched the Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 6-2 to stay one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League wild card spot. But before I recap the experience, a quick back story: Back in July, my wife calls me at work excited, telling me her job was giving out Mets tickets and that she got two for us. She's doesn't like baseball so she told me to take a friend to the game. Fast forward to yesterday. While sitting in the nose bleed seats in right field with my friend "H" a group of about 50 adults come into the section, all at the same time. To say this group of people were, "enthusastic" would be an understatement. From the start they were excited to be there. Singing along (badly) with the national anthem, shouting (constant) "encouragement" to the players, and voicing (forcefully)displeasure with the umpires. But something just was "different" about this group of fans. Then it hit me. My wife's job probably had a block of tickets that they gave out to people at the organization. That in itself isn't unique. Which is unique is that my wife works in the administrative office of a drug rehabilitation organization. I spent probably my last regular season game at Shea with a group of ex-substance abusers. Where they a little loud? Yea. Did they always practice proper baseball game ettique? No. But man, they loved being there. They cheered. Hard. And loud. Very loud. They participated in "the wave" like their life depended on it. They had fun. Can't be mad at that. Other thoughts/observations: It's time to put Shea Stadium to rest. Me and "H" spent part of the game naming things that we hope CitiField has that Shea doesn't. Like a ramp thats a little more forgiving on the knees. Or cupholders at every seat. Some actual leg room would be nice too. Shea is a lovable dump, but a dump none the less. Luis Castillo isn't the most popular Met. This never came across to me on television, but in person its strikingly obvious: the fans HATE Luis Castillo. The mere mention of his name during batting practice was met with boos and groans. There is no way he's on the team next season. Johan Santana is an outstanding pitcher and a complete player. Until seeing him in person, I didn't realize how good an athlete the Mets ace is. Santana battles at the plate, and his fake-bunt-infield single woke up the lethargic crowd. He also made a outstanding play on the run as the Mets attempted to turn a 3-6-1 double play. It's rare you can say an athlete was worth the money, but Johan has definately delivered this season. The triple isn't the most exciting play in baseball. Jose Reyes' triple to break the game open was exciting. Once the ball got past Derrick Leeand headed to the corner in right field, everyone in the stadium knew he was headed to third. Seeing the Mets shortstop turn on the jets between first and second is a sight. But what was more exciting than that? Well during the Santana's at bat in the 6th inning, a fan darted on to the field from the left field stands. This fan weaved between the security guys in orange jackets like Barry Sanders in his prime. He made it from shallow left field to second base before the lead footed Shea security guards finally got him to the ground. Mets' fans love the Braves. Well not really but at 9:55PM when the Braves/Phillies game went final on the scoreboard, the fans in right field broke out into the "tomahawk chop". A few pitches later, Luis Ayala recorded the final out. All in all it was a great time. I saw Jose Reyes run the bases, Johan Santana battle and will the team to victory, a guy get tackled by four men in orange jackets, and the Tomahawk chop in Queens. Not a bad way to say goodbye to Shea.