The Mets will hold their annual fan sleepover at Citi Field on July 19, but WFAN-AM's Mike Francesa yesterday decried the promotion, calling the $200 cost for tickets "highway robbery." Fans during the event will watch that night's Mets-Padres game at Petco Park from the Citi Field outfield, causing Francesa to say, "The Mets can't get you there for a game when they're there. They think they can get you there for a game when they're not there?" He asked, "What is the premise? You're going to draw people when you're not there? Who thought of this one? We can't get anybody there when the Mets are here, so when they're 3,000 miles away, we're going to get you to sleep on the grass and meet Mr. Met and you're going to be happy and you're going to pay us. Boy, oh boy." The team drew 300 fans for last year's sleepover, but Francesa said, "I wouldn't even put that in print that they only drew 300 people. Imagine opening your doors at Citi Field and drawing 300 for anything. ... That's embarrassing." Fans attending the event receive a ticket to the Mets' Sept. 28 regular-season home finale against the Astros. That fact prompted Francesa to say, "You might as well give those away, because who's going to go see the Mets and the Astros during the football season on the last day of the season?" He continued, "Everybody receives a complimentary pillow. Well, you should because you got fleeced. You've got to be kidding me. Listen, if you're dumb enough to do that for $200, you need a pillow. You need a pillow and a shrink" ("Mike Francesa," WFAN-AM, 6/17). The Mets could not be reached for comment by deadline (THE DAILY).
