It's Time: Mets Opening Day In Pictures

It's sometimes hard to explain to other people what Opening Day means to us fans.  I've tried to capture the experience, from tailgate to pre-game to the post game high five from Captain Shorts in a four minute music video using pictures I took as well as additional photography from Sharon Chapman, Kerel Cooper, Paul Hadsall, Shannon Shark, Alejandra Villa and Laura Lapidus. The track is "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons. Enjoy!

Mets Opening Day 2013 "It's Time" from The Apple on Vimeo.

The Apple's 3rd Annual Opening Day Tailgate

On April 1st, the Mets return "home" to Citi Field. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a reason to party to me.

Join The Apple & friends for another pre-game tailgate at Citi Field prior to the Mets opener vs. the Padres on April 1st. There will be hot dogs on the grill and beverages. All are welcomed to join. (First come first served. Snack food donations welcomed. BYOB encouraged.)

I'll post/tweet the exact location on the morning of since the Mets like to constantly change-up their parking rules. Stay tuned to the Facebook Event Page for updates and check out the video below for some footage from previous tailgates.

The Captain Shorts T-Shirt Now On Sale: It's Like A Cotton High Five That You Can Wear

The t-shirt from our successful Kickstarter campaign is now available to purchase directly from The Apple.

Now you can publicly celebrate the legacy of Captain Shorts with this T-shirt.

This isn't just a t-shirt however, it’s a statement. It’s a statement that you believe in the magic of the high five.

It’s a statement that you as a community rose up and demanded that the contributions of an unsung member of the Mets organization be recognized.

It’s also a symbol!

Yes, it’s a t-shirt, a statement and a symbol. It’s a symbol of your ongoing support to what is probably one of the stupidest websites every created.

It’s also cotton!

At least 50% cotton depending on the size you ordered.

So order your “At least 50% cotton symbol/statement/t-shirt” today by clicking here.

The Apple's 2012 Mets Season In Review Music Video

Well I've wasted another year of my life Photoshopping the Mets, so please waste four and a half minutes of your life and check out this year's best set to AWOLNATION's "Sail".

The Fans Have Voted And Your New Subway Car Mets Are...

David "The Captain" Wright, R.A. "Kilimanjaro" Dickey, Johan "El Gocho" Santana, Daniel "#ImWith28" Murphy & newcomer Kirk Fluugenvanheimler...um let's just call him Kirk. Thanks for voting.

Vote Your Favorite Mets On Or Off The Apple's Subway Car

I've been getting a few request for various players to be added to the subway car in the site header so I've decided to put the choice in your hands.  Vote for your favorite players below. The top 5 vote getters will get to ride the train...

More Hilarious Entries Into The David Wright Photoshop Challenge

MJ by Guidishfish via Amazin' Avenue

The Apple: Tim Byrdak's #1 Mets News Source

Someone (possibly me) asked Tim Byrdak what his favorite blog is and, completely unprompted, he said it was The Apple.

Not Shown: Me holding up a small sign with the blog name and URL.

Win Two Tickets To The Mets Home Opener Courtesy Of The Apple & TiqIQ

Opening Day is right around the corner and your #1 source for completely made up Mets news wants to send you to the Mets home opener at Citi Field.  To win all you have to do is "like" The Apple and TiqIQ on Facebook. Then on the TiqIQ Facebook wall, predict the Mets batting avg. leader (minimum 50 AB's) for Spring training games played in March.  Also include "The Apple" with your prediction.

For example: The Apple, David Wright, .357

As an added bonus if one of The Apple's readers wins I'll throw in a VIP tailgate experience at Citi Field before the opener.  (VIP tailgate experience consists of eating a slightly burnt hot dog next to my Toyota Matrix)

Also if winning tickets sounds like too much work you can always head here for the best deals and just buy some you lazy lazy soul.

Is The NFL Going Too Far With Super Bowl Condoms?

Over the last two weeks, the NFL has released a slew of new Super Bowl products which football hungry customers have scooped up happily, but many fans aren't so happy about the league's latest cross-promotion: a line of Super Bowl themed condoms.

50th? 51st? All That Counts Is That They're Doing Something Right...Right?

No Mets activity, no matter how small, would be complete without at least a little controversy.  In all the hubbub surrounding the teams 50th anniversary plans, there has been some talk over what anniversary this really is.  The Mets say it's 50 while others say it's 51.  So who's right? Can it be both? 

Jose Reyes Orders A Turkey Sandwich: Could This Be The End?

Breaking news from the Mets hot stove, The Apple has learned that Free Agent SS Jose Reyes ordered a Turkey Club at lunch today.  While we cannot confirm that this means Reyes is leaving the Mets it certainly doesn't look good.  To help us break down this breaking news we bring in SNY's Sandwich Expert Ted Berg.

Mets In Talks With The Apple About Sponsorship Deal For New Seating Area

So yesterday I was minding my own business trying to enjoy my Halloween when my Twitter started blowing up with messages that basically said, "The Mets took your ideas.", "Congrats on re-designing Citi Field." and the one that made me cringe "Thank you for getting us blue walls."  Apparently, the Mets had announced new dimensions and people were congratulating me for some reason.

The Apple's 2011 Mets Year In Review

Thank you to all the readers, contributors, Facebook friends, Twitter follower, fellow bloggers and everyone else who helped make the 2011 season such a fun one.  You guys are the best.

Slogan Search 2012

Back when I thought this blog would last about two months I came up with the slogan above.  As far as slogans go, it's served me well for the past two seasons but I was thinking of a fresh start for 2012.  I clearly lack the concentration and/or the ability to come up with a slogan for the site otherwise I would have done it already.  This is where you come in.  Do you have an idea for a slogan for The Apple?  Leave it in the comments section. Send it to my email. Tweet it to me or leave a comment on my Facebook page.  If I choose your slogan as the new official slogan you will win some kind of prize.  It won't be a very good prize but it will be a prize.

The Apple Achieves Minor Internet Accomplisment, Immediately Over-Celebrates

 

They said I was crazy when I had these shirts made.  Well who's crazy now?  1,000 Twitter followers!!!  Of course when you subtract spammers it's more like 600 but let's party anyway!

Blue Jays TV Network Steals Apple Graphic & Broadcasts It During Jays Game

Well it appears I have unintentionally pranked another TV network.  According to Chris Creamer's Sportslogos.net, Rodgers Sportsnet aired a graphic for an upcoming Alomar show during last night's Blue Jays broadcast using The Apple's phony Alomar plaque instead of the actual HOF one!  They even took care to remove my watermark.   Stay classy Toronto.  Read the whole story here.

Happy 4th Of July From The Apple

Welcome Aboard Justin Turner & Dillon Gee

Even though David Wright and Ike are on the shelf for a while, the Mets train must continue to roll.  So welcome Justin Turner and Dillon Gee to the train.  No some of you out there believe the train is cursed because the minute Ike got on board he got stepped on by a clumsy third baseman and ended up on the DL.

So here's the deal. If either Gee or Turner get hurt this week.  I'll replace all the guys on the train with 5 pictures of Willie Harris.

Mr. Moody Met Takes A Bite Out Of The Apple

The Apple wants to send a big thank you to Herm over at Mr. Moody Met who made me this awesome pin of  Mr. Met getting ready to take a big ole bite out of The Apple.  I love it! Check out more awesome Mr. Met artwork over at Mr. Moody Met.