This weekend was a big one for the Mets, as they tested out their new stadium for the first (and second) time.  I say TEST, because I am adament that all of the “firsts” will occur on or after April 13th.  No, that random St. John’s player was not the first batter, that will be the lead-off batter for the Padres.  And the first pitch?  Mike Pelfrey will be throwing that.  I anticipate Pelf to get the first strikeout, Jose Reyes will have the first hit and stolen base, and I think he’ll be scoring the first run…part of the first homer at Citi, hit by David Wright.  Ok, so maybe not all of that will happen in the first inning next Monday like I’m hoping, but still, anything that’s happened in Citi Field yet is not a “first.”  I just want the first game there to be perfect (and of course, a Mets win…but isn’t that obvious?).

Anyway, the first exhibition went great.  Livan pitched three good innings, and J.J. and Frankie were (almost) lights out.  I guess we need a little excitement in the 8th or 9th, as long as it doesn’t cost us the game!  Plus, as Mets fans, we are so not used to breathing during the final innings of the game, so if it was too easy, then we might not be sure this is our team!  Oh, and watching the game……Citi is GORGEOUS!!!  Omg, I cannot wait to get there this summer for a game or two!  And gotta love Kevin Burkhardt for testing EVERY concession stand…Gary, Keith and Ron were joking that he’s going to be 250 lbs by the All Star Break (but I bet it’s worth it).

Yesterday’s game was a little different.  First off, it was EXCRUCIATINGLY long, but that may have been because Ollie had maybe the 2nd worst outing I’ve ever seen.  He gave up 6 runs in 2/3 of an inning.  The only time he (beat?) it was that time in San Francisco last season when he gave up 6 in 1/3 of an inning.  I’m hoping he’s just getting it out of his system.  Yeah, I know that I cannot expect Ollie to be consistent…ever… but this was exceptionally bad.  Hopefully when it’s time for him to have a bad outing, it won’t be THIS bad.  But the silver lining is that now he’s due for a really good outing Friday against the Fish, right?  Let’s hope so.

On to other news….

GARY SHEFFIELD?  Seriously, Omar?  I’m trying to trust you on this one, but I just can’t understand it.  We already have a 26 man roster (with Nick Evans getting pushed to Buffalo) so why add another guy?  It looks like Marlon Anderson will be joining Evans in Buffalo and talent-wise, that’s not a horrible plan, but I feel like Marlon is such an important guy to have in the clubhouse.  Have we forgotten how he was the guy that with 100 games left, challenged the Mets to make it to 92 wins?  On the other hand, maybe Gary will be a really great thing for this team.  Maybe his horrible spring was just stats-wise, and he really improved…if nothing else comes of this, at least if he gets 500 homers, it will be with the Mets.  I’m the eternal optimist, so I’m trying to see the good in this.

IT’S OPENING NIGHT!  Yeah, the Mets don’t play for 22 (!) hours, but tonight starts my baseball season, as I root against the Phillies.  I didn’t let myself stop cheering for Chipper and Brian McCann from the WBC, so I’ll be rooting for them, but mainly I’ll be rooting against the Phillies.  Aren’t rivalries great?

Next Saturday, I’ll see my first professional baseball game of the season!  I’m going home for Easter and my family has tickets to the Home Opener for our Triple-A team, the Rochester Red Wings (Oriole’s farm team).  I’m super excited, as my last professional baseball game was last July at Shea.  Also, the guy throwing out the first pitch is a police officer that went to my high school (he graduated before I was there, but I graduated with his sister) and was shot in the back of the head about 2 1/2 months ago.  It was a really awful story- he was walking away from some minor dispute without even making any arrests and a 14 year old just shot him out of nowhere- anyway, the doctors said that only 15% of people who suffer this time of brain injury even survive, much less return to a normal life.  He has a chance at both, and he’s already out of the hospital.  Doctors are calling his recovery stunning, and it’s going to be really awesome to see him throw out the first pitch.  Of course, he is a Red Sox fan, but I can overlook that!

Is it horrible I’ll be taking my computer to class with me tomorrow so that I can follow the game?  I have a class that gets out at 1:40, so I’ll be in class for the first half hour of the game.  I figure I can just have the game tracker on and keep an eye on it.  Then I’ll sprint back to my dorm to catch about an hour of the game on ESPN, and then I have another class at 3.  This class I won’t be able to take my computer to (it’s a discussion) but I’ll make sure my mom’s texting me score updates.  I guess it’s back to the struggle of catching the day games with my class schedule, but I’ll do my best to deal.  Hey, I only have 16 more class days, so it shouldn’t be too bad!  Actually, I just looked at the schedule, and Monday is the only afternoon game that conflicts with class….yes!

Anyone else beyong thrilled Spring Training is over?  I know I will hate myself for feeling this way come November/December but it was just so long this year!  I am more than ready for competitive baseball (sorry, WBC, you weren’t enough for me!) and I can’t believe it’s finally here.

Happy Opening Night everyone, I’ll be sure to blog tomorrow on the big day!

Go Braves, Beat Phillies!  Well, more like, go Braves, suck less than the Phillies!