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Andrew Parsons: It’s a beautiful day for baseball in Queens, where the Mets won 1-0 in their season opener against the Atlanta Braves. The team is coming off three straight losing seasons, but Russ Finkelstein says are optimistic that this year will be different. He joins us from Citi Field where he caught the action. Russ, how did the Mets play today?
Russ Finkelstein: Well Andrew, considering how the Mets finished their season last year, I’d say that they played pretty well. It was a low scoring game. They played very defensive baseball and the one run they scored off of a David Wright RBI in the sixth inning was enough to get them the win.
Andrew Parsons: Do you think that there’s reason for fans to be excited this year?
Russ Finkelstein: Well, the Mets are right now in first place, which is something Mets fans don’t really get to say very often. And considering a couple of injuries they’ve got and the players that are recovering from those injuries I’d say that, you know, fans do have something to look forward to this season.
Andrew Parsons: What was the attendance like at today’s game?
Russ Finkelstein: Well there was some concern leading up to today’s game that attendance would be low, but the Mets officials have said that they sold 42,080 seats today which is actually the largest attendance in the stadium’s history. And, you know, I walked all over the inside of the stadium and I only saw two Braves fans. So I’d say the Mets fans definitely came out to support their team today.
Andrew Parsons: And what are those fans saying about the team?
Russ Finkelstein: Well you know in recent years Mets fans haven’t had too much to cheer about. Like any sporting event, some fans are more optimistic than others. I did speak to one fan named Carlos Rodriguez and he had this to say:
Carlos Rodriguez ACT: Honestly, I don’t think they’re going to be better than last year, but I do think they’re going to be decent. And I think we’re not going to be last place, so I’m happy.
Andrew Parsons: So Russ, the Mets decided to start Pitcher Johan Santana who hasn’t played since 2010 due to a shoulder injury. How did he look today?
Russ Finkelstein: Well you know, he lasted for about five innings, and he looked OK. He didn’t give up any runs, and he only gave up two runs and two walks which isn’t bad considering this was his first game back in over a year.
Andrew Parsons: Sounds pretty good. Well, thank you Russ. Reporter Russ Finkelstein was live from Citi Field.
