Mets fans are still taking it on the chin – and in the wallet.
The Amazin’s, who made the playoffs last season for the first time in 11 years, boosted the average ticket price at Shea Stadium this season by 22 percent, to $24.29 – the largest increase of any team in an old stadium, according to a new survey.
It’s the third season in a row Shea ticket prices have jumped more than 20 percent, and the fifth straight season the Mets have had a bigger increase than the Major League average.
Fans say it’s not baseball as it oughta be.
“I could understand them raising the prices if we had a new stadium,” said Alex Soto, 25, of Long Island City, Queens. “But Shea is in such bad shape. It’s a mess and we still have to pay.”
“It’s ridiculous,” said Matthew Silver, 43, of Bellmore, L.I. “The Mets must think we’re all millionaires. I love coming to the games, but I just can’t afford to go to as many games as I used to.”
Other fans also said the high prices are costing the Mets customer goodwill.
“I would go to more games if it were more affordable,” griped Bill Julian, 38, of Teaneck, N.J.
“The prices are outrageous. It’s gotten way out of hand.”
The Mets are the majors’ second most expensive family night out, at an estimated $176. A night out for a family of four at Yankee stadium costs $175.
Visiting Yankee Stadium is not only cheaper – Bronx fans get to watch a championship team.
“At least the Yankees are winning every year,” said die-hard Mets fan Silver. “We’ve won nothing.”
As recently as 1995 a night at Shea was a relative bargain – it was the 19th-costliest night out for a family in all of the majors.
Only the Seattle Mariners, who moved into brand new Safeco Field last year, cost a family more – $191 – according to the survey put together by Chicago-based Team Marketing Inc.
Teams that move into new stadiums usually hike ticket prices, partly to pay for construction and partly because they can get away with it.
Mets’ executives did not return calls for comment.