by What started out as a rebuke has blossomed into a genuine Fan Fest for Mets fans.
A few years ago, Shannon Shark and his pals started the MetsPolice.com website, billing it a “Mets Fan advocacy blog”, and spending a goodly amount of time chiding ownership and management for some of the bad decisions they were making , including ticket prices, team promotions and the lack of a FanFest.
As for the lack of an offseason gathering or event, MP was speaking for a lot of folks who enjoyed the old “Mets Caravan” and other fan friendly promotions, as well as for folks like myself who felt the same way.
Well, Shannon, Keith Blacknick, Dan Twohig, and Darren Meehan from The7Line.com decided to stop waiting around, and actually put on the first Queens Baseball Convention last season. It was a great success, and I was proud to participate, and had a blast, moderating the “Meet the New Media” panel.
It is a great time, you get to meet other Mets fans, talk Mets baseball, and meet and greet Mets legends of the past.
This year, the QBC is back, and here’s all the info
WHAT IS THE QUEENS BASEBALL CONVENTION? A mid-winter gathering of fans of baseball, held in Queens. Our design is a combination of “Fan Fest” meets “Comic Con.” The spirit of the day is for the fans to get together, celebrate baseball in Queens, and to bring the kiddies and bring the wife. Events will range from appearances by Mookie Wilson, Wally Backman, Ed Charles, Josh Lewin, panels, trivia, appearances by Mr. Met, Sandy the Seagull and Pee-Wee…and a whole lot more.
WHAT WAS 2014 LIKE? Attendees included Ron Darling, Ed Kranepool, Art Shamsky and Mr. Met. You can see a recap of QBC14 here.
WHAT WILL BE AT QBC15? Here is the updated programming schedule, including the announcements of Mookie Wilson and Wally Backman.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT? January 10, 2015 at McFadden’s Citi Field.
HOW MUCH TO GET IN? $35
ARE AUTOGRAPHS INCLUDED? Yes, your admission includes an autograph by both Mookie and Wally who will sign anything within reason (so leave your kangaroo home and bring a baseball.)
COOL. I’M EXCITED. HOW DO I BUY TICKETS? Right here!
This year I have been asked to moderate a special panel, entitled “The State of the Mets” and will be joined by by Jared Diamond (Wall Street Journal), Pete McCarthy (The WOR Sports Zone). Brian Wright (TheSportsDaily.net), Jerry Beach (DefiantlyDutch.Blogspot.com) and Taryn Cooper (host of the Mets Lounge on NDB Media and from GalForAllSeasons.com). Hope to see you there. Maybe you’ll get to meet the Terry Collins doppelganger, otherwise known as my dad, who fooled more than a few people at last year’s event.
If you see me, stop by and say hello!
