Home > Opinion > Peter Roff > No to Citi Field: Citi Should Take Its Name Off N.Y. Mets' New Stadium

No to Citi Field: Citi Should Take Its Name Off N.Y. Mets' New Stadium

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hotels buchen in spanien of 10:02PM April 11, 2010

Naming the Mets ballpark after Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays? Why? Robinson, while I'm sure was a delightful fellow, was NEVER a Met, and while Mays did play for the Mets for a bit...come on now...his glory days were spent elsewhere.
No, the new ballpark should have either stayed Shea Stadium, or should have been named for a Mets legend. Tom Seaver would be perfect, but naming things after people who are (thankfully) still alive is kind of creepy, no? What about Gil Hodges? A much better choice than either Robinson or Mays.
As for my thoughts on selling naming rights in the first place, if you can't afford to build it yourself, DON'T. People come to see good baseball, not a fancy stadium, especially when a trip to the game becomes so expensive that the costs begin to approach those needed for a family vacation instead of a day at the ballpark.
Regards,

Jenny of NY 9:54AM May 02, 2009

am i correct in assuming that citi field in not a stadium

jim blasi of NJ 8:00PM April 19, 2009

Seriously, one of the dumber stories I have seen on this subject.
- Baseball has become expensive. So the solution is discouraging businesses from investing in it? Sure, that will reduce prices.
- So, Citi should give up the name but STILL pay the $20 million a year? That will go over really well with its investors, who, as mentioned, are already under water.
- Citi's $20 million for Citi is a small fraction of its overall marketing budget. So, should Citi stop marketing? I'm sure its competitors would appreciate that.
- Yes, naming a stadium for Mays or Robinson or Rickey is a great idea - if you are a Dodger or Giants fan. None are really associated with the Mets. That's a great way to build the Mets following and brand. How about we name Yankee Stadium Ty Cobb Park?
I suggest perhaps the writer spend 5-10 minutes thinking about it before putting fingers to keyboard. Trust me, it makes a big difference.

TGINDC of MD 8:38AM April 14, 2009

For all the reasons Roff has pointed out.
But Rickey gallantly demurred and insisted it be named for Bill Shea.
Jackie Robinson has had plenty of memorials. But in the rush to honor every black who hasn't been recently indicted, and several who have in some kind of deranged historical affirmative action, we have totally forgotten those like Rickey who risked their careers to make it possible for blacks to finally come into the major leagues.
Rickey hasn't even had a stamp dedicated to his memory.

Thomas Lipscomb of NY 2:28PM April 13, 2009

I would like to see the arena called "Met's Stadium"
If Citi wants its name there, perhaps "Citi - Met's Stadium" or "Met's Stadium - Citi"
Another possibility probably not considered: "Baseball Stadium"
Naming public use places differently from the franchise that uses them should follow the tradition of honoring past heros of the sport if it is a sport use facility. If it is a public use facility like as airport, it is customary to name the place for the area and/or a local or national person of esteem and honor.
The practice of naming these facilities with adverstising is brazen disrespect for the sensibilities of the people who use them.

Mart of KS 2:20PM April 13, 2009

If Citi was important enough to our economy to receive federal bailout funds then I for one would like to see it continue to do business; and a big part of business, whether we like it or not, is marketing. A quick look around the country tells us that naming sports venues is effective marketing. I don't know much about Mr. Roff, but he passes the liberal test - he has great ideas for what to do with the money of others.

Brad of TX 1:18PM April 13, 2009