Skid's 2015 Dream Season

August 15 - HOME GAME #62 vs Pittsburgh Pirates (67-46)

Jon Niese (7-9) faces the Bucs Charlie Morton (7-4)

63-54 +4.5

Lets Go Mets! The second consecutive extra inning loss to the Pirates. Yoenis Cespedes showed off his arm with a throw that nailed a Bucs runner at third. Rookie Michael Conforto hit a two run homer, his first home run at Citi Field, to tie the game in the 7th. Juan Uribe also homered in the seventh for the Mets first run. Two tough extra inning losses in a row.

Ticket Cost: $331
Time of game: 4:02
Attendance: 38,878

Cespedes in the on deck circle

Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes has been a huge addition to this team. His acquisition literally has changed the way the team plays, the way the media portrays the Mets, and the energy in the crowds at Citi Field. With the versatility of Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson the Mets are a very improved team with a good bench.

Michael Conforto

With Mike visiting for the weekend series against the Pirates, I picked up some nice seats for this game right behind the screen. These were the best seats I've had yet, right behind the on deck circle. And the seats include access to the Delta 360 Lounge below for food and drink. I love sitting this close for games but it comes with a hefty price tag. Tonight Mike and I got extra innings to enjoy the close proximity to the players, the padded seats, and convenient amenities. We just didn't get a win.

Tunnel to our seats

It has been great to have friends with me at the games. Greg has joined me for 4 games, Mike is here for 4, Jeff came for 3 games, my brother Dan for 2 games (and 3 on the road), Steve for 2 on the road (and more later) and my wife was here for 9 games. Plus Murph has joined me twice for a game along with others I have met sitting next to me or around me at the different games. Then there is the long list of employees at Citi Field that I've gotten to know. If I had attended games by myself, I would've had a tough time making it through the six month season.

Even still with all that said I still like to go to the game by myself. I had done it once in the eighties at Candlestick to see a Mets-Giants game. That game the Mets had a slim one run lead the whole game. I was conversing with a couple Giants fans next to me. There was no trash talk but we rooted hard for our respective teams. I had to leave early for a commitment back home. I drove from the parking lot and headed down highway 101 to the San Mateo Bridge listening to the end of the game on the radio. The Giants rallied and tied the game in the bottom of the 9th. Then they scored the winning run.

As I absorb the defeat behind the wheel, I look to my left and headed down the highway lane next to me was the two guys I had been conversing with all game! They had obviously left the game early too. They had recognized me in my car and were giving me grief. As they pulled ahead in the fast lane they pointed, laughing all in good sport at their victory. I didn't get to see the game but I had to deal with the loss and opponent celebration on the road in my car. It was very funny and why I remember it to this day. But it enforces the unwritten baseball fan rule: Never Leave a Game Early!

My closest seats yet