The Mets yesterday drew a sellout crowd of 43,947 to Citi Field, the "largest regular-season crowd in the seven-year history" of the ballpark, according to Christian Red of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Only the '13 All-Star Game "drew a larger crowd" -- 45,186 -- than yesterday's game against the Phillies. The throng of fans "led to long lines entering the regular gates and VIP lounges 30 minutes before first pitch." The line at the front of the ballpark "stretched from the Jackie Robinson Rotunda to the foot of the 7 train platform steps and caused a delay of about 20 minutes." The attendance for today's game -- which will be P Matt Harvey’s first home start since '13 -- "could get close to 40,000." Last year’s second home game "drew around 29,000 to Citi Field." Harvey "will also pitch Sunday at home, with another big crowd expected." The Mets said in a statement that fans "need to get to the game early ensure a quick entry" due to "a 20% increase in ticket sales this year." Red notes while a winning record "has to make Mets fans happy, the big crowds are just what the Mets’ owners need." The team last season "averaged 26,860 per home game, ranking them 21st of the 30 MLB teams" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/14).
IN HARVEY WE TRUST: In N.Y., Schreiber & Gustines note the Mets chose to have Harvey pitch tonight's game instead of yesterday's home opener in the hopes that he "could draw more fans than usual to the second home game." That game, "especially when played during the week, can produce a sizable letdown at the gate." For instance, the second home game last year drew approximately 13,000 fewer ticket sales than Opening Day. If ticket projections for tonight are accurate, the Mets likely will "end up feeling justified in using their gimmick to get more fans in the seats on the day after the home opener." If Harvey "continues to pitch as he did two years ago, before being hurt, and the Mets actually compete for a playoff spot for the first time since 2008," then Harvey could "turn into the season-long draw" that Dwight Gooden was in '85. Schreiber & Gustines: "The Mets can only hope so. In addition to more victories, they need more paying fans in the seats," as GM Sandy Alderson has indicated only that will "put some oomph in their pretty modest payroll" (NYTIMES.com, 4/14). On Long Island, Marc Carig writes the mention of Harvey's name during team introductions yesterday "sent a shock through the stands at Citi Field," leaving "no doubt about how much he's been missed." Mets manager Terry Collins said of Harvey's start tonight, "For our fan base, it's going to be a huge day for them, because they've been waiting a long time to see him" (NEWSDAY, 4/14).
BREAKING THE SILENCE: In N.Y., Mike Puma notes Mets co-Owner Fred Wilpon yesterday made his "first public comments in two years," expressing "satisfaction with the direction of his club." Wilpon: "I’m excited about this team and I’m hopeful. One doesn’t know -- we’ve all been around a long time -- but the fact is I like the guys on this team. I think there is a lot of talent and I think there is a lot of character." Wilpon was then asked what he "told his players when he addressed the team near the end of spring training," but Wilpon "said he was done talking for the day" (N.Y. POST, 4/14). Meanwhile, the AP's Ronald Blum noted two new billboards "just outside" Citi Field are aimed at Wilpon, fellow co-Owner Saul Katz and Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. One reads, "FRED, JEFF & SAUL: Ya Gotta Leave," while the other one says "Sell the Team." One of the billboards, which are "scheduled to be removed on May 3," faces the ballpark and is "visible from a parking lot." Mets fan Gary Palumbo, who is responsible for creating the billboards, put similar signs up outside the team's Spring Training park in Port St. Lucie, Fla., this March (AP, 4/13).
