The Suite Life

I was invited to a really nice business function.  The firm rented a suite at Citi Field for the Mets-Marlins game last night.

Got to see the Seaver statue when we arrived.

Suites are above field level, just below the second deck.  There are seats in the front so you can watch the game, and a room behind the seats where you can serve food, socialize, etc.  Each suite has a television monitor, so you can watch the game as it is presented on SNY (or whatever network is covering the game that night), and there are space heaters built into the ceiling over the seats to keep you warm on a chilly night.

Our view

  

Don’t we have great mascots?

We were directly across from the Coke Corner

  

Citi Field, as you may recall, is thisclose to LaGuardia Airport.  Every 90 seconds another plane flew over the Coca Cola sign.  I wasn’t able to get a photo this time, but here are pictures of the planes from 2019.

  

  

Last night’s game turned out to be a very important game.  The Mets are in a playoff race with the Atlanta Braves.  Both teams have clinched a berth in the playoffs.  But whoever wins the division will win a significant advantage in the playoffs — a “bye” in the first round, meaning they get to skip ahead to the second round.

So while we all focused on the game in front of us, we also watched the scoreboard to follow the Braves-Nationals game.  (Go Nats!)

We were also concerned with the Yankees-Blue Jays game.  The Yankees have already clinched their division, but there was drama to be had — Aaron Judge is trying to break a record set by fellow Yankee Roger Maris in 1961.  Maris hit 61 home runs in a single season, breaking Babe Ruth’s record.  Maris’ record was broken by three National League players (Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire), but  their numbers are tainted by the performance-enhancing drug scandal.  While they hold the record for the National League and for Major League Baseball overall, Maris still holds the American League record.

Or rather, did…Judge tied the record last night.  Congrats to Judge, and he can still break Maris’ record in the next few days.

Anyhow, back to the Mets.

Top of the 7th inning, and the Mets found themselves losing to the Marlins by a score of 0-4.  

We sang “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” during the 7th inning stretch.

Bottom of the 7th.  A friend tells me “Judge just hit 61.”

A moment later, Escobar hit a 2-run homer, the score was now 2-4.

Top of the 8th, the Marlins didn’t score.

We sang Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” before the bottom of the 8th.  Tradition!

Bottom of the 8th, and …Escobar again.  He drove in two runs to tie the game.

Then, top of the 9th … are those trumpets I hear?

Yes, the distinct notes of Narco as Diaz made his entrance.

He pitched magnificently, but the Mets failed to score in the bottom of the 9th.   Then, in the bottom of the 10th …Escobar singled to drive in the winning run.  Final score 5-4.

And the Nats beat the Braves, so the Mets are ahead of the Braves by a full game as they head to Atlanta for a three game series that will decide which team wins the division.

I stuffed myself with junk food (I shall probably regret that come morning) and screamed myself hoarse, and had the most wonderful time …