20 “Facts” About The Mets And Marlins
The record-breaking 20 inning game between the Marlins and the Mets at Citi Field was more due to inept offense than anything even remotely exciting.
The 20 inning game was the longest Marlins game and longest of any game at Citi Field in history. A combined total of 16 pitchers threw out 561 pitches to 31 different batters 152 times. By the end of the game, 2/3 of the fans were gone (not surprising as 13 of those innings were after beer sales were cut off). And the closer complained of being hungry “not just for a win, but actually hungry”.
Both teams’ offenses brought to mind two teams trying to let the other win, resulting in no scoring for 17 of the 20 innings. It actually seems more like the two teams are battling for last place than hoping to improve their standings. A remarkable 32 players were left on base (10 Marlins; 22 Mets). I will say that I was impressed that over 20 innings neither team was charged with any errors, although I have a sneaking suspicion that the official scorekeeper may have gone home after the 11th inning.
The Marlins currently sit at last place in all of major league baseball, and the Mets stand only slightly above them (the Astros save the Mets from the runner up spot, which isn’t really something I’d personally brag about if I were the Mets).
Rather than a list of stats describing this boring record-breaking game with just an embarrassing number of zeros, I decided to make it more interesting by doing some fun fact face-offs about the two teams. Dear potentially offended Mets fans, please don’t look up my address and come throw grapefruits and batteries at me. Dear potentially offended Marlins fans, you don’t exist, so I’m safe.
1st INNING
Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The Marlins are the second best team in Florida, and the best National League team in Florida.
Bottom: 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors
The Mets are the second best team in New York City and New York State, and the best National League team in New York City and New York State.
2nd INNING
Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The Marlins are not only in last place in their division, but last place in their league and last place in all of major league baseball.
Bottom: 1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
Go Mets!
John Buck caught all 20 innings of last Saturday’s game.
*Bonus Fact About the Scorer: John Buck is undoubtedly the best pie man in baseball. At least the Mets have something they’re the best at because it’s certainly not anything baseball-skills related.
3rd INNING
Top: 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
Marlins Park (aka “The Fish Tank” because they can’t seem to find a sponsor) looks like a giant toilet bowl from the adjacent highway when the roof open (and kind of smells like one too).
The sub-contractor hired by the Marlins was sued last March because they allegedly owed approximately $67,000 in unpaid wages to the construction workers who built the Park. A county inspector noted that the workers were not being paid properly as early as 2011 and that they felt intimidated when they questioned the payroll “mistakes”. One worked said, “I can’t even look at it when I drive by,” and I think all of Miami agrees with him.
Bottom: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves (who have a rivalry with the Mets) actually named his son “Shea” after Shea Stadium because he hit so well against the Mets there.
4th INNING
Top: 1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors
Go Marlins!
Marlins Park is the cheapest ballpark to see a game, if you to see your team visiting Miami. The upside is there’s almost a 70% chance you’ll get to see your team win, and with deals like “buy one upper bowl seat, get a future home plate seat free” and Crazy Eights $8 tickets, it actually might be worth leaving your car parked in Little Havana (if you have better insurance than I do).
*Bonus Fact About the Scorer: Derek Dietrich was originally drafted by the Astros (who have a slightly better record than the Marlins) as their first round pick, but chose not to sign with them. Also, he’s a juggler and gives performances.
Bottom: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
In 1966, the Mets bypassed future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson for Steve Chilcotti. Don’t recognize the name Chilcotti? That’s because he never even played in the majors.
*Bonus Fact: All 3 out for the Mets’ outs this inning were strike outs, with the batter looking.
5th INNING
Top: 0 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors
The Marlins, apparently, were featured on a Showtime reality series called “The Franchise”. The series was canceled early due to the Marlins unfortunate season allegedly with mutual agreement from the Marlins and Showtime. Something tells me Showtime may have made the decision alone; the Marlins don’t seem to have any shame. One viewer compared watching the show to “driving by a flaming accident on the side of the road and not being able to look away, but it’s still an accident, and it’s still bad.”
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The Mets were formerly called The Amazin’s. Perhaps the name change originated when they were no longer “Amazin’”? They were also more appropriately called The Miracle Mets, as in, ‘it would take a miracle for the Mets to lead the standings’.
The only things saving the Mets from being runners up to the Marlins for last place are the Astros.
6th INNING
Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
This exists at Marlins Park:
ART!
Supposedly it lights up when the Marlins hit a home run (I can’t personally verify this). Supposedly it also costs $2.5 million dollars and was paid for by the county’s Art in Public Places department. Also it’s called simply “Home Run Feature”.
Bottom: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Speaking of no hits, the Mets notoriously have had bad luck with (throwing) no-hitters. Many pitchers have gone on to throw no-hitters, and even perfect games after they’ve left the Mets. The Mets went 8,019 games without a no-hitter (the most of any MLB team in history) until their first on June 1st of last year.
(Editors Note: It was a one-hitter. It was a one-hitter. It was a fucking One-Hitter)
7th INNING
Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Marlins Park has a freaky Bermuda triangle in which players actually leave the view of the cameras. If only the Home Run Feature would disappear into it…
Bottom: 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
In 1993 Todd Hundley, the Mets’ catcher, and Gary Sheffield, the Padres’ third baseman, ignited a bench clearing brawl after Hundley accused Sheffield of peaking at his signs. Sheffield then told Hundley to concentrate on catching, to which Hundley allegedly “called him a couple of names,” and cursed him out.
8th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
The Marlins Park deal cost the (former) mayor of Miami his job. Norman Braman spearheaded the recall effort and sued over the deal citing a violation of Florida’s constitution, which prohibits public funds from being designated for projects used exclusively for private purposes. Over $500 million in tax payers’ money was spent on Marlins Park, plus $250,000 a year in recurring maintenance, and to top it off, the City of Miami will be paying the interest on the loans which is expected to be at least $1.2 billion. I’ve yet to determine what Miami gets out of this deal other than a gaudy baseball palace.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Proving they make bad decisions baseball and non-baseball related, the owners of the Mets were alleged to be involved in Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme. Shortly after this incident, they had to sell 48% of the team’s shares to stay afloat.
9th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
The Marlins’ mascot is a fish.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, ruled that “the Mets stink”. And she’s actually a big Mets fan.
10th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
I’m pretty sure Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is one of the most hated men in Miami.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Mets owner, Fred Wilpon grew up in Brooklyn as a Dodgers’ fan and admits to going overboard showcasing the Dodgers’ legacy over the Mets’ at Citi Field. Dear Mets, even your owner doesn’t like you.
11th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
Attendance is so low at Marlins Park that, even with the crazy cheap deals they’re offering, they are now resorting to closing the upper deck during some weeknight games. They haven’t had a sell out since the park’s opening day in 2012, and are reportedly averaging 10,000 less tickets sold per game this year than in 2012.
However, the Marlins fans have found an upside to the low attendance problems; they have developed a cheer/jeer (I’m not entirely sure) that involves pounding on the abundant empty seats in the Park.
The good news is the Marlins are talented at something: making matters worse with bad publicity. A fan paid $25,000 for a pair of season tickets at Marlins Park. However surprising this may be, what’s more is that the Marlins sued the fans over a minor complaint. For a team that’s hurting for attendance, bad publicity is just not affordable right now (literally).
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Mets fans actually threw grapefruits and batteries at a certain former Atlanta Braves pitcher during the playoffs. He may not be considered a most loved player, but still, how about a little class Mets fans? (Bonus points if you remember that pitcher, triple bonus if you read his new book).
(ED: If the answer if John Rocker, you ain’t getting no sympathy. It’s a minor miracle that the grapefruits didn’t have razorblades in them)
12th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Do I really need to mention Ozzie Guillen’s infamous Fidel Castro remark?
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Former Mets player Vince Coleman both hit Dwight Gooden while recklessly swinging a golf club in the clubhouse. Karma bit back though as he is the only player I’ve ever heard of getting seriously injured on field by an automatic tarp machine.
13th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The Marlins payroll went from $57 million in 2011 to $107 million in 2012, before dropping to a bare $33 million in 2013 leading to what Marlins fans have called “a AA team in the Major Leagues.” At the last Marlins game I attended I may have saw some people taunting the remaining Marlins players about not being good enough to get traded to the Blue Jays along with the other half of the team; I may have been with those people.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors
The intro of the Mets Wikipedia page is almost entirely negative. It’s worth a read if you’re the type that gets amusement out of other peoples’ misfortunes and failures.
14th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
Owner of the Marlins, Jeffrey Loria, said of Marlins Park said, “if our ballpark could speak it’s first words would be “Hola, Miami!” I understand the Latin influence on Miami and “beisbol” (as it’s posted around the Park), but baseball is America’s pastime. Also I’m pretty sure that if the City of Miami could respond, it would tell the ballpark to shut up.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
The Mets’ record in 1962, their inaugural season, was 40-120, the worst record in MLB history (since MLB went to 162 game seasons).
15th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
The first time the Atlanta Braves played at Marlins Park it was noted by the announcers that Freddie Freeman had to be transported to a nearby hospital with an injured finger because the Park did not have an x-ray machine. The announcer also noted that perhaps some of the $2.5 million spent on the home run feature could’ve been put to better use for an x-ray machine. Later, the other half of Fruggla, Dan Uggla got vengeance for his best buddy by hitting his 200th home run off of the Home Run Feature.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
In what was coined the “Midnight Massacre”, the Mets traded away Tom Seaver. In a Bambino-like curse, the Mets maintained last place for several years following yet another err of judgment.
16th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
This isn’t the first 20 inning game for the Marlins.
*Bonus Fact: All 3 outs for the Marlins in this inning were pop outs
Bottom:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
In the 1986 NLCS game six, the Mets when 16 innings but won (on an error) making it longest playoff game in history at the time.
17th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The batters eye at Marlins Park was originally lime green, like pretty much the rest of the park; however, Major League Baseball forced them to change it to a dark color. Now it’s an awkward, out-of-place looking black rectangle.
What also looks out-of-place at Marlins Park? The aquarium backstop behind home plate.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors
In 2007, the Mets had a 7 game lead going into the final 17 games. They managed to blow it.
18th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The parking garages at Marlins Park are designed with special touches to “bring Little Havana in” according to the designer (the genius behind glittery sidewalks, lime green paint, and columns intended to make the ballpark appear to ‘breathe’). I don’t know about you, but if there’s one place in which I’d rather not be reminded that I’m in Little Havana, it’s in a dark desolate parking garage.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors
Speaking of hits, Wally Backman called out Darryl Strawberry in the press for feigning illness to get out of games, which prompted the six foot, six inch Strawberry to threaten to “bust that little redneck in the face”. Though I will never accuse the Mets of class, I will say I was impressed to learn that the five foot eight inch Backman told the press he wouldn’t back down.
19th INNING
Top:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
The Marlins decided to put real grass in Marlins Park for some reason. Patches in right field promptly died from lack of sunlight. The head groundskeeper stated his regrow strategy consisted of grow lamps and talking to the grass to encourage it to grow.
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Prior to 2012, Citi Field was a pitcher’s park. Jeff Francoeur (whom I make no attempt to hide my deepest affection for), once called the park’s dimensions “a damn joke”.
20th INNING
Top:
1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors
Go Marlins!
Marlins Park has A/C, which might not mean much to game goers who didn’t grow up sweating in muggy Miami, Florida. (Bad news is I’m pretty sure they’re claiming the weather is nice enough to open the roof just to not run the A/C and save on their power bill).
Bottom:
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
During the 20 inning game, the Mets went 0 for 19 with runners in scoring position.
*Bonus Fact About the Winning Team: The batter, and the runner who scored, have the two of the funniest sounding names in baseball: Adeiny Hechavarria and Plácido Polanco. Go ahead, try to say them aloud. Gesundheit! Oh wait, you didn’t sneeze? You were just saying the Marlins infielder’s last name you say? Right. And what was that about placentas?
(ED: The Funniest of course, is CANNONBALL TITCOMB)
Apparently the Marlins are also better at brawling than baseball. Who knew…
By the way, can anyone tell me why Matt Diaz is stuck on the Marlins AAA team? Do the Marlins have some superiority complex where they believe their Blue Jays rejects make up too good a team to call up Diaz?
Tweet*All facts are alleged and, in the tradition of baseball, were passed down mostly through angered baseball fans. Every effort was made to validate the facts, but the writer only alleges them to be true to the best of her knowledge.
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