C Mike Piazza's second game as a Met helped the team
enjoy its "first sellout in five years," according to Steve
Popper of the N.Y. TIMES. Sunday's game drew a paid crowd
of 47,291, and, including 8,484 giveaways, the ballpark was
at its 55,775 capacity. On Saturday, Piazza's Mets debut
attracted a crowd of 32,908. The team announced that 21,400
tickets were sold for the two games after Friday's trade
with the Marlins was announced (N.Y. TIMES, 5/25). The Mets
had been averaging 17,601 before Friday's trade. The average
attendance for the two weekend games was 40,100 (N.Y. POST,
5/25). In N.Y., Claire Smith wrote that, in trading for
Piazza, the Mets have "finally graduated from Off Broadway"
and "now have the star of the show" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/23).
Also in N.Y., George Vecsey wrote that Mets management has
been feeling the "immense pressure of empty seats and
yapping voices and the graceful juggernaut in the Bronx."
Mets co-Owner Fred Wilpon, on Piazza: "This town is ready.
They love him already. He could be like Willie Mays or
Mickey Mantle to this town" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/23).
BACK IN FL: In spite of "all the negativity around the
Marlins," Miami Mayor Joe Carollo said that he wants the
Marlins to "build a stadium next to the Heat's new arena,"
and added that he is "willing to consider using public money
to do it," according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD.
But Jackson wrote that the city "is in no position" to
contribute toward a retractable-dome stadium, as it is
"recovering from a financial crisis" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/25).
