Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: looking north from a moving Manhattan-bound #7 train as it approaches 126th Street - the entire block between 126th St, Willets Point Blvd and 38th Av has been demolished (IMG_5665a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: the back of the Early Entry line, a few minutes before the Early Entry gates opened (IMG_5676)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: fans waiting on line to enter the ballpark, 30 minutes before the gates open (IMG_5678)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: a look at the "Early Entry" line (r.) three minutes after it opened, as seen from just outside the turnstile area (IMG_5680)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: oversized Mike Piazza placards, produced by Topps, were given to all fans attending tonight's game (IMG_5681a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: view of the rotunda with boxes of Mike Piazza commemorative placards, given to everyone attending tonight's game, in the foreground (IMG_5685)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: during the weekend, Mike Piazza's BBHOF plaque would be on view in the Mets Hall of Fame, but only during the game itself as it turned out - this photo was taken before the game (IMG_5689a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: fans waiting to enter the ballpark, 10 minutes before the gates opened - view from the Foxwoods Club (IMG_5693)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: with less than ten minutes until the gates open, fans are allowed to wait on the Early Entry line until the window for Early Entry closes and the line becomes just a regular line (IMG_5694a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: with six minutes until the gates open, the lines of fans waiting to get in went as far back as Roosevelt Avenue and even up the subway stairs (IMG_5699)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: with five minutes until the gates open, the lines of fans waiting to get in went as far back as the subway stairs and beyond (IMG_5704a)
Gary Dunaier:
Across the street from Citi Field, 07/30/16: all of the "Iron Triangle" buildings between 126th St, 38 Av and Willets Point Blvd have been demolished (IMG_5709a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: fans entering via the Right Field gate (IMG_5710)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: the entire ballpark is in Mike Piazza mode, from the Citi Vision to the ribbon boards to the grass in centerfield (IMG_5713a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: pre-game look at the retired numbers, with Mike Piazza's #31 still under cover (IMG_5718a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: close-up pre-game look at Mike Piazza's #31, still under cover (IMG_5720a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: it's 5:31 on the stadium clock - the "31" ties in to Mike Piazza's "31" ( IMG_5723a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: hot dogs on the grill (IMG_5725)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: thumbnails of Mets player at-bat graphics, as shown on a computer screen in the Scoreboard Operations booth (IMG_5728)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: pre-game activity inside the Foxwoods Club (IMG_5735)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: pre-game crowds in the Promenade level concourse on the third base side (IMG_5737)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: the ballpark is in full Mike Piazza mode, with pictures on the outfield grass and a Retirement Logo graphic on the tarp (IMG_5738)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: security men and police officers discussing strategy in front of the rotating advertising sign behind home plate (IMG_5739)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: "Mike Piazza #31 Retirement Ceremony" graphics as shown on the right field scoreboard (IMG_5740a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: the stage is set for the Mike Piazza number retirement ceremony (IMG_5743)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: special Mike Piazza graphics have been placed on the wall in centerfield (IMG_5744)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: wonder how much that fan is being paid by the soda company to advertise their product with her umbrella (IMG_5745)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: zoom-lens close-up of Mike Piazza's retired number, which has not yet been revealed (IMG_5747)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: looking up towards Mike Piazza's not-yet-revealed retired number (IMG_5749)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 07/30/16: a look at the back of Mike Piazza's retired number from the rear, before the "NY" logo covering it was removed (IMG_5754)
