TSTDIA: Mets 2 -- Rockies 1

Damion Easley comes through in the clutch, knocking a solo home run in
the 8th inning. Oliver Perez sparkles again. The bullpen nearly faltered a few times but managed to work their way out of it and hold the Rockies to only one run.

The Mets have now won seven in a row. I'm lovin' it.

Live from Fan Fest: If you're going, read this

So I spent most of my Friday walking around and taking in the sights at All Star Fan Fest down at the Jacob Javits center. I have a few tips if you're heading out to the event:

• Get there early, leave late. It's pretty much set up like a amusement park. If you want to participate in any sort of the assorted booths, be prepared to wait in line. Just going by my guesstimates, I'd expect to wait at least 20 minutes, and most likely more for each booth.
• Expect to pay like you're at a game. Sure, the beer is only $5, but everything is pretty much priced like you're going to the stadium. Pretzels, popcorn, hot dogs, beer and even wine is all available.
• If you want an autograph, be prepared to wait a long time. If you're an autograph hound, you probably know that by now. If you're not, and you expect to just walk up to a player and have him sign whatever you want, think again. They usually only sign whatever they deem official, so also be prepared to purchase an official photo.
• Bring a camera. Great photo opportunities, and there are tons of booths set up where you can have your picture taken. You can be making a game saving catch over the outfield wall, a locker room reporter with Erin Andrews, sitting in the dugout, and the like.
• Bring a bag. There is free stuff everywhere. I was not prepared to carry all this free swag home, so I had to stuff it into my colleagues bag. Bring your own, or try to grab as many free ones as they'll let you have, and collect as much free stuff as possible.

If you already have plans enjoy the Fan Fest, and if you have photos, send them along! If it's not already in your plans, change them and get your butt out to New York City for a great time.

David Wright makes the All Star team

Due to an injury to Alfonso Soriano, David Wright has been named to
the 2008 National League All Star team.

Wright will join fellow Mets player Billy Wagner as the only two Mets
respresenting the team.

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty sure I called this a few days
ago. Congrats, Wright. Go make the most of it.

Live from Fan Fest: Calling it a day

It was a long, hot, fun day at the All Star Fan Fest. I'm calling it a
day and hitting the road.

If you have kids, I strongly suggest you get out to the Javits center.
And if you don't have kids, still come out and enjoy the experience.
I'll post some thoughts and suggestions a little later.

This place is awesome.

Live from Fan Fest: There are mascots among us

I have never in my life seen so many mascots all congregated in one place.

I've seen mascots I've never even heard of, nevermind seen before.
Who the heck is Gapper?

As reported earlier, I witnessed the awesomeness that is TC the Twins
mascot. I watched him drill at least two balls well out of the "park"
en route to a sure victory. I was not around for the trophy
presentation, so if anyone saw who actually won and/or their victory
dance, please let me know.

Some of these mascots are...nothing. They remind me of the Philly
Phanatic, a creature that is absolutely nothing at all. Not like Mr.
Met is anything feasible, but sometimes it doesn't even seem like they
try to be creative.

Just give it green fur and a purple tail or something, the kids will love it!

Live from Fan Fest: Jazz is a baseball term

Just spoke to a dixie land jazz band that played us a wonderful
rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" on a trumpet, banjo, and
stand up bass. I must say I was impressed.

The banjo player also told me that the term "jazz" was originally a
term used to refer to the bands that used to play at baseball games.
He mentioned it started out in St. Louis when "dixie jazz" bands used
to go out to the ballpark to entertain the fans aside from the game.

If anyone could shed light on this some more, I'd love to hear it.

Live from Fan Fest: Some people shouldn't sing

Just walked past a booth where you can sing your own version of "Take
Me Out To The Ballgame."

Worst idea ever, by the way.

Sure, you're in a booth with the door closed, but they blast your
voice through some loud speakers on the outside of the little box. A
father and son tandem was just singing and it was not pretty.

I'm not one to talk, because I'm practically tone deaf, but wow that
was hard to listen to.

Live from Fan Fest: There are a lot of people here

Apparently, MLB is expecting somewhere around 200,000 or more people
at this event. It's packed.

The more people I talk to, the more I hear about how awesome the tacos are.

I finally met someone who is actually attending the game. He also
attended the 2004 game in Houston, so I had to asl him what the crowd
was like. He said Houston was really laid back and relaxed, but he's
expecting some hostility at this year's game.

He said he expects A-Rod and Derek Jeter to get booed, along with
Terry Francona. It would be pretty low to boo at the game, but hey,
we're New Yorkers.

Live from Fan Fest: The beer is cheap

Just interviewed a couple of older guys who said the best thing about
this whole event is that the beer is only $5.

Priorities, right?

Live from Fan Fest: I want to be a kid again

I'm a bit nostalgic today, as it's my 20th birthday today, but boy do
I wish I was a little kid again.

The excitement and events that are here would be so much cooler if I
was little again. I'd love to run the bases, get in the batting
cages, throw some virtual bullpen tossing in, and the like. I don't
think a guy running around in dress shoes and a button down Banana
Republic shirt would look as fun as a bunch of middle schoolers
romping through the booths.

The memerobilia room upstairs probably means a lot more to me now than
if I was little. It being based in New York, there is Mets stuff
everywhere. Tom Seaver signed jerseys, David Wright signed helmets,
and of course the beautiful image of Mookie Wilson's grounder
squirting through Bill Buckner's legs. That image never gets old.