We were recently in New York City and had the chance to catch a New York Mets game at Citi Field.  Citi Field is the new Mets ballpark that opened at the start of the 2009 baseball season.  Citi Field is a gorgeous baseball field that was built to seat 41k Mets fans, and there is hardly a bad seat in the entire stadium.  It is located in Flushing, New York (near Queens) right next to the location of the former NY Mets ballpark, Shea Stadium.

We were guests of our partners, NBC Sports, so we sat in seats right behind the visitors dugout.  The photos below were taken from row 1, which was situated directly above the dugout that the St. Louis Cardinals were in.

View of action at Citi Field ballpark

Homeplate at Citi Field in New York

Citi Field scoreboard at Mets game

Let us know if you are going to be in New York and want Mets tickets for a game at Citi Field.  The new ballpark is a great atmosphere to take in a baseball game.  And prices for a Mets game at Citi start as low as $35 per ticket.  So don’t miss your chance to see this great, new ballpark.

Click here to see a Citi Field seating chart and list of upcoming events at Citi Field.

It was announced recently that a trustee of Bernie Madoff, Ponzi scheme master, seeks to sell off  Mr. Madoff’s Mets season tickets which were owned by his company.  Auctions are being to considered to award the tickets to the highest bidder.  Don’t everyone jump at once.

Now I can understand how there might be a certain cachet associated with saying you got Bernie Madoff’s season tickets.  Maybe you lost some money to his schemes and you’d feel a bit better if you were able to get something of his – at a steal of price.  It might feel good to gain some luxury premiums to leisure sports events in this economy, just as Mr. Madoff is likely to lose all access to both luxury and leisure.

Sure, that might make sense. 

What doesn’t make sense?

They’re not Madoff’s tickets.  The pair being sold is actually a pair of seats a few sections over and a few rows back, accompanied by similar features like access to Delta Club Platinum and premium parking.  Apparently the trustee worked out a deal with the Mets to exchange the seats because the actual seats may be too expensive and the replacements seats would be much more marketable in this economic climate.

Again, that might make sense.

What doesn’t make sense? 

The bargain price of the replacement seats is $60,750.  Yes that’s the bargain price.  A 24% savings off the price of Mr. Madoff’s actual seats, at $80,190.  Ah, so if any of you were wondering where the economy stands today, the threshold has now been defined: $80K Mets season tickets behind home – out of reach.  $60K Mets season tickets a few rows back and few sections over – within reach.  And apparently very marketable. 

Quick, Obama, pick up your Blackberry.  Apparently we’re all overreacting with this stimulus package thing.  All we need is a few more Mets season ticket packages at the bargain basement price of $20K and we should have things humming along in no time.  GM, Chrysler, you in?

Now I like the Mets.  And I’m sure the new Citi Field cost a pretty penny. No disrespect, but hasn’t this just become an overblown story about some expensive Mets season tickets?  I still want to know the real story: Who’s getting Madoff’s actual seats?

Mets fans, if you’re in the sub-$60K budget range like me, you know can always find some great seats at TicketCity.  Find your tickets here.  Just get a pic of who’s sitting behind home plate this season, would ya?