New Stadium Strikes Fear in Mets Foes

Mets fans will take time to warm to new stadium, actress says

(NEWSER) - The name of the Mets' new ballpark may evoke unpleasant parallels between the crashing economy and the team's penchant for late-season collapses, but maybe Citi Field can still represent a fresh start for the Mets, writes Julia Stiles for the Wall Street Journal. The award-winning actress, an avid fan, opens with a shot at the Yankees and fondly remembers Shea Stadium as she checks out the new stadium. More»

The call to spend taxpayer money more wisely may overshadow agreement

(NEWSER) - Citigroup, trying to duck controversy over its use of taxpayer bailout dollars, is considering reneging on a $400 million marketing deal with the New York Mets, the Wall Street Journal reports. The 20-year partnership—which includes naming the Mets new stadium Citi Field—may be scratched because Citi accepted $45 billion in TARP funds from the Treasury, as well as federal guarantees on $301 billion in loans. More»

3-time Cy Young winner agrees to $1M contract

(AP) - Pedro Martinez has agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the team’s general manager said today. Terms were not disclosed, but the deal is reportedly worth $1 million for one year. The 37-year-old Martinez went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA for the New York Mets last season. The free agent pitched in the World Baseball Classic before this season. More»

Says he has $50K in assets, owes $10-$15M

(NEWSER) - Former New York Met and Philadelphia Phillie Lenny Dykstra has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in California yesterday, citing no more than $50,000 in assets and debts between $10 million and $50 million, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. After making $36.5 million playing ball, Dykstra launched a magazine for pro athletes in 2008; employees said he didn’t pay his bills. More»

(NEWSER) - New Yorkers would like to go out to the ball game, but the Wipons and Steinbrenners “have let their unfettered greed keep the fans at bay,” writes Allen Barra in the Wall Street Journal. Fans are outraged that their tax dollars have gone to fund stadiums they can’t afford to visit, with the cost for a family of four to take in a Yankee game jumping 49% this year, to $410, while the Arizona Diamondbacks, for instance, dropped 29%, to $114. More»