Shake Shack is coming to CitiField in 2009. Some folks swear by the Shack Burger, but others are not so sure.

Tell us, what is the best burger in New York City?

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC’s Countdown toured Citi Field Tuesday…

Video via MSNBC.com

Newsday provides this video of the Mets plans for Jackie Robinson Rotunda, which will welcome fans when the enter the new CitiField. The Met unveiled the plans prior to last nights game on Jackie Robinson Night, where every player wore Jackie’s 42.

In Design Observer, they take a critical look at the upcoming CitiField, noting that they took the expected route of trying to wrap new technology in a fake old school ballpark.

“We all know that baseball fans love their nostalgic ballparks, and I certainly like the human scale and sense of place that the best of these venues provide. But do those values always have to arrive smothered in old fashioned wrappings? Sooner or later someone has to take a risk on something new. In Flushing Meadows, all the conditions were right to take a chance on a home run. What a pity we have to settle instead for a sacrifice bunt.”

I have to disagree here. I like the idea of having baseball parks hark back to the design aesthetics of a classic era. Shea Stadium had the awful 70s aesthetic which is only enjoyable for its kitsch factor. I think the design they decided on with CitiField is timeless.

If they had approached some modern, or even futuristic design it would have not felt like ‘baseball’ which to me is very much a classic game, which should always have an element of the old mixed with the new. I’m not crazy about corporate sponsorship, and thats really my only qualm with our upcoming new home.

Hat tip to Peter W. Knox for the link.

Single: According to multiple sources, the Mets and Citi Field are the likely host for the 2013 All-Star Game.

Awesome. Really. Just with the 42,500 seat stadium they’re building, you better go and get your tickets now if you plan on going.

Double: In a post for Shea Nation, Dan Kuchuba argues that David Wright should bat 4th for optimal performance in the Mets lineup.

There isn’t much I like about that idea. The 3 hitter is supposed to be the best overall, most rounded hitter in the lineup, and there is no question in my mind that Wright is that man. Especially with Wright and his incredible .416 OBP last year, he’ll be on base more often than Beltran so it is more logical to have Beltran there to drive Wright home as Wright gets on more often. Especially later into last year, Wright was hot and slapping off tough to hit pitches the opposite way for singles. Many people have credited this to HoJo, so Wright should benefit from another year under his tutelage.

Triple: With Carlos Delgado struggling in Spring Training, and always battling an injury, do we have an issue at first base?

There is nothing that could be done here, but I think our best option is Delgado. And I do think it is very possible he hits very similarly to how he did last year. He just has the potential to rake as we’ve seen, so hopefully he has another year left in the can for us. Meanwhile, we should be trying everything possible to rest Delgado once a week. Try out Gotay, Valentein, Easely, Marlon Anderson, etc. out at first. Especially Gotay, because he seems to have such a great bat but he seems to be a fairly incompetent fielder.

Home Run: Do we have an issue in left field?

As Matt Cerrone said in a post to metsblog, “I accept Angel Pagan for what he is.” I think we’ve gotten so caught up in this win now mentality that all of a sudden when Ole Man Alou is going to miss the first part of the season with a groin injury, we are all rumbling for Xavier Nady this, and Dan Johnson that. The fact of the matter is Pagan will do just fine out there, splitting the reps with Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson and Damion Easely. There is a reason none of these four guys have caught on as starters elsewhere, but together they’ll form Unit Super Scrub for us, which will do just fine. Plus, Pagan is playing his ass off and has a hell of a name. Let’s give him a shot.