As a youngster growing up in Chicago, Curtis Granderson would have given anything to watch a game from the outfield grass at Wrigley Field or the old Comiskey Park.
Mets fans will get to experience that on Saturday when the team will sponsor its second annual Citi Field Sleepover.
“I think adults and kids will have a great time being on the field,” Granderson said. “Most people don’t get to watch the action from the playing field.”
Fans will be able to watch the WPIX Ch. 11 broadcast of the Mets game against the Padres, before those with sleeping bags can spend the night on the grass. Fans with tents can set them up on the warning track.
Attendees will enjoy a dinner buffet in the Good Humor Fan Fest, snacks, and breakfast in the morning. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Met, while 1969 World Series hero Ed Kranepool will be in attendance to sign autographs.
In addition, Bedgear will provide every attendee with a complimentary pillow. All fans attending the Citi Field Sleepover will receive a ticket to the Mets’ Sept. 28 game against the Astros. Tickets are available at Mets.com/sleepover.
Harvey keeps busy during All-Star break
A year ago Matt Harvey opened the All-Star Game. This year the rehabbing phenom will do a different kind of pitching in Los Angeles, at the ESPY’s Wednesday then the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports Awards on Thursday.
Thursday he will walk Nick’s orange carpet with Michael Strahan, Henrik Lundqvist, Jason Pierre-Paul and returning Knick Carmelo Anthony. Strahan, hosting the show, has warned all that slime will be in the air.
Pele, Rivera try to cheer up Brazil fans
On the day of the World Cup consolation game between Brazil and the Netherlands on Saturday, soccer legend Pele, accompanied by former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, attempted to cheer up his Brazilian brotherhood by serving Subway sandwiches at a Rio Dio Janero restaurant.
Devils exec discusses Rock on ‘SportsMoney’
New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center CEO Scott O’ Neil will be featured on YES Network’s “Forbes SportsMoney” airing Friday. Host Michael Ozanian spoke to O’Neil about many topics, including the strength of the Devils’ fan base and the high-end lineup of concerts and entertainment coming to “The Rock” this year.
Unique items up for bid in auction
Jim Brown’s 1964 NFL championship ring, a 1954-55 Ted Williams “Harry Agganis” game-worn uniform, and the first and only true “baseball” car — a custom-designed Volkswagen Beetle featuring a white exterior with red baseball stitches, Rawlings baseball glove seats, a baseball gear shift and baseball bat emergency brake — are among the one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia being offered as part of the Lelands.com Spring 2014 Catalog Auction, which closes July 25.
The auction at http://www.lelands.com also features a 1960s Willie Mays “It’s cold outside” San Francisco Giants game-worn jacket, a 1944 Cy Young handwritten signed letter in which the career pitching wins leader details the “best hitters” he ever faced, a locker used by Derek Jeter during the 2000 World Series, and a ticket stub from the 1935 game in which Babe Ruth hit the final three home runs — including the famed “714” — of his career.
Other sports collectibles up for auction include Mickey Cochrane’s 1929 Philadelphia Athletics championship ring and Hall of Fame introduction plaque, a 1938 American League All-Star team-signed baseball, Lou Brock’s Hall of Fame plaque, a Hank Aaron game-used glove, a ticket from Mickey Mantle’s Yankees debut on April 17, 1951, and a Honus Wagner T206 pose first-generation vintage photograph by Carl Horner.
In addition, the Lelands.com auction boasts the biggest collection of boxing tickets, headlined by a full, unused ticket from the 1971 Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier “Fight of the Century,” a complete ticket from the 1964 bout in which the-then Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston, and a full ticket from Ali’s 1972 fight with Mac Foster, which is arguably the most beautiful of any Ali fight tickets.
The auction also features the actual saddle worn by Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza when he rode Chateaugay to victory at the 1963 Kentucky Derby, celebrated sports artist Leroy Neiman’s “The Fighting Face of Muhammad Ali” boxing glove, and the only known signed photo of President Kennedy’s meeting with the 1963 champion Boston Celtics.