Viva Shea!
September 28, 2008
Today’s Mets vs. Marlins game may be the last game played in New York’s Shea Stadium. I say “may” because it is my hope that they’ll be playing the Milwaukee Brewers in sudden death as they’re both tied for the National League wildcard. This is exciting on many levels, mostly because I’ve cheered the Brewers on through the season: fell in love with Ryan Braun, CC Sabathia and Prince Fielder; consoled Wok Man through the ups and downs of his tough love for the team (bit my tongue to the brash clash of his bright yellow and blue vintage MB hat with anything he may be wearing) and learned to hate the Chicago Cubs, the top dogs of the I-94 rivalry.
But my heart is with the New York Mets.
And inside the bright blue of Shea Stadium… soon the be dismantled making way for Citi Field. Shea Stadium was named to honor William Shea, who brought the New York Mets into the National League. This new stadium is named to honor Citibank, the largest bank in the United States. For what, having the greatest holdings? This grand scale corporate sponsorship leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It isn’t enough I have to hear the Gatorade Player of the Week or the Gillette Play of the 5th Inning? Below is a sampling of Major League Baseball Stadiums that are (or to be) named for corporations:
Oakland A’s Cisco Field
Minnesota Twin’s Target Field
Seattle Mariner’s Safeco Field
Chicago White Sox’s U.S. Cellular Field
Cleveland Indian’s Progressive Field
Detroit Tigers’ Comerica Park
Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field
Philadelphia Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park
St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium
Milwaukee Brewers’ Miller Park
Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park
San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park
Arizona Diamond Backs’ Chase Field
Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field
San Diego Padres’ Petco Park
Some of them sound like jokes. U.S. Cellular Field? C’mon.