N.L. EAST

New York Mets Baseball Club

CITI FIELD

LOCATION

Queens, New York

OPENED

2009

CAPACITY

41,922

NICKNAME

New Shea

In the spring of 2009, the Mets moved from their original home, Shea Stadium, to the classically styled Citi Field. While a new ballpark, walking into Citi Field is like time traveling back to when the Dodgers and Giants dominated New York’s playing fields. It’s an old-fashioned, bowled-shaped park with red brick and limestone arches over the entrances. Nearly half of the seating is on the lower level, so fans can get an intimate view of the their favorite players. Of their two World Series, neither was won at Citi Field, but soon after the park opened, Mets outfielder Gary Sheffield blasted his 500th home run, and on June 1, 2012, pitcher Johan Santana threw the team’s first ever no-hitter.

Hall of Fame FOODIE

Relief pitcher Turk Wendell (New York Mets 1997–2001) might be one of the most superstitious players in MLB history. Between each inning, Wendell would brush his teeth and eat four sticks of licorice!

THE BIG APPLE

New York City is known as the Big Apple, but Citi Field is home to one of the biggest apples in all of New York. The Home Run Apple (left), located in center field, stands sixteen-feet tall and weighs 4,800 pounds, significantly larger than the original apple from the old Shea Stadium (right) which is now on display outside Citi Field. When a Mets player hits a home run, the center-field apple lifts from its encasement and illuminates in celebration.

GARLIC FRIES
WITH CHOCOLATE-BANANA MILKSHAKE

Located in New York City’s Queens borough, there are varied food options at Citi Field, from fried flounder to New York style pizza and Italian hero sandwiches. But one fave, garlic fries, is packed with nine innings worth of flavor. Pair them with a cool, creamy chocolate-banana milkshake for the perfect salty and sweet combination.

N.L. EAST

New York Mets Baseball Club

GARLIC FRIES

PREP TIME

10 minutes

COOK TIME

30 minutes

MAKES

4 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 4 russet potatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch wide sticks, like french fries. Dry well with a paper towel and place in mixing bowl with olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until the potatoes are coated.
3. Arrange the potatoes on the baking sheet and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Then flip them with a spatula and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
4. Serve immediately.

N.L. EAST

New York Mets Baseball Club

CHOCOLATE- BANANA MILKSHAKE

PREP TIME

10 minutes

COOK TIME

0 minutes

MAKES

2 shakes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups chocolate ice cream
• 2 bananas, peeled
• 1/2 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the ice cream, bananas, and milk in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into glasses and serve cold.