Sign of times: Mets to host Banner Day
A young couple participating in the banner day festivities in between the doubleheader, carry their twins with them and a sign that proclaims they love the Mets twice as much. Credit: Audrey C. Tiernan
The Mets are bringing back Banner Day.
Citing a "groundswell" of interest from fans, team executive vice president of business operations Dave Howard made the surprise announcement at a news conference Wednesday to introduce the Mets' plans to celebrate their 50th anniversary season in 2012.
Banner Day -- during which Mets fans used to parade around Shea Stadium with homemade banners between games of a doubleheader -- debuted in 1963 but was discontinued in the early 1990s.
"I think it will be very popular," Howard said. "I think we'll get a mandate from our fans that it will be an annual tradition."
Howard said the team expects fans to show up with messages about their favorite Mets and Mets moments. But what if someone wants to cross the line into what the team may consider inappropriateness?
"We are confident Mets fans will be appropriate," Howard said.
The date for Banner Day will be announced in the coming weeks. One change: Festivities will take place before a game since there are no regularly scheduled doubleheaders anymore.
