JOHNAPALOOZA BEGINS: First pitch at CitiField;
Buy season tickets, and here’s Johnny
Johnny Fever…catch it! Tavares will throw out the first pitch tomorrow night before Yanks-Mets. And a new perk for potential season ticketholders: sign up for seats now and meet Tavares in July. My hunch is that would be around the Prospect Camp.
76 Responses to JOHNAPALOOZA BEGINS: First pitch at CitiField;
Buy season tickets, and here’s Johnny
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i4e11 says:
Hey CB…any idea what dates the prospect camp is this year? Thanks.
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Neil says:
Can he throw the rest of the pitches for the Mets, too?
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Hmm, can Tavares swing a bat?
On second thought, rest that shoulder.
Lets hope the newest star for the blue and orange brings a little luck to the OTHER blue and orange… they certainly need some.
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Alex Kinkead says:
Pinch me I must be dreaming. Tavares is a New York Islander!
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nick says:
what number is tavares wearing???
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hathead68 says:
First pitch at CitiField Mets vs Yankees on ESPN! The Islanders are back baby! Great to have you JT… this is just the start!
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Pez says:
well at the draft party cj papa said if you bought the season tickets you would meet him next week
i hate cj papa
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Tom B says:
I just hope this dog and pony show wht JT ends when we get closer to playing. It’s nice and all to build the brand around him but don’t burn him out before he hits the ice.
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frank nyc says:
good stuff.
Give Johnny a taste of NY.
This is pretty cool. The Islanders getting some attention.
GO ISLES! -
AZS says:
I’ll be at that game …and after watching the Mets play I’ll need this motivation to make it to CitiField …lets go Islanders!
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Matt says:
great stuff. it’s still sinking in that a kid with his potential is a memeber of this team. hopefully he can help bring the cup back to where it belongs, long island.
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BrianAlbany says:
Hey everyone, I just checked out a link to a youtube clip of the fan reaction at nvmc after tavares was announced! I was there and it still gave me goosebumps. I encourage you all to check it out, I have been watching all different versions for about 15 minutes and let me tell you no one can ever doubt our passion.
Go Isles!
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Numbers65 Isle in Ohio says:
Sounds AWSOME! We’re BACK at LAST! Go JT! Go Islanders. Incidentally, one of my old favorites was #27 JT- John Tonelli!
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Mary in 117 says:
So when do the people who’ve been supporting the team as season ticket subscribers for the past years get to meet Johnny – before or after the bandwagoners?
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Seth says:
ITS ALL ABOUT TAVARES BABY!!!!!
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troywinsor, alberta says:
I am sure he will throw a better pitch than Baba Booey, which was the worst ever, lol. Glad JT is getting the rounds in NYC already, will help the lighthouse cause hopefully. Great job Garth and company. GO ISLES!!!!!!!
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Tom D 37 says:
I hope he doesn’t get insulted when he gets booed by all the ranger fans. I have to imagine that we our outnumbered by ranger fans 10-1 in NYC. But anyway, a great honor for john. I don’t watch baseball, but I’ll have to see this.
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Jim Clark says: When does Tavares get to throw out the first pitch for New York’s only major league team, the 26 time World Champion Yankees? When you get to do that, JT, you have made it.
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Will C. says:
Still wondering about de Haan……Maybe I am just having flashbacks around when we passed on another ZACH……Great for the Isles to give the JT some spotlight. Hope the rag fans soak in the man who is gonna light em up this year. Out on a limb, Tavares will score 4 goals agains the Rangers this year.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
TomD … That was the very first thought in my mind when I saw that on the Isles’ site.
I hope that JT is preped by Isles’ PR department for that … He needs to understand … that Ranger fans booing him is the biggest form of flattery.
One of the best things I enjoy about the rivalry is the banter between Isles and Ranger fans … as long as it stays above juvenile level.
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Another thought about JT throwing the first pitch … where do ya think he’s going to go on the catcher?
Five hole, top shelf? He’s just not used to purposely having an object he propels caught by a guy in a face mask.
Just wondering… LOL!
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Izzy Franchise says:
First pitch? wow! Good stuff Isles!!
I can’t believe how excited i am about JT!! lol
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The PolishPrince says:
Good stuff. I agress with Neil @ 3 maybe JT could pitch the first few innings. He couldn’t be any worse than Redding.
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Noomz says:
Should be interesting to hear what Howie Rose has to say on WFAN tonight. Or if Jon Miller/Joe Morgan invite him up to the booth.
Hopefully, C-Field will be home to a future Isles-Rangers Winter Classic, but unfortunately, NBC supposedly pushing for Caps (Ovie) v Rangers at Yankee Stadium next year.
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Anthony O. says:
CB, is there confirmation about what number Tavares will be wearing, as I know he has worn 91, 61, and 19 in the past.
Also, when will his jersey become available to buy from the public?
Thanks for all of your hard work CB.
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I agree with Mary (13) wholeheartedly. How about a Tavares exclusive meet-and-greet for those of us who paid most of the freight in the past? Trust me, I’m very happy with Tavares and the immediate boost to the popularity of the Islanders both locally and around hockey, but we “true believers”, who put our money where our mouths and hearts are, should get some love, too.
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Staten Islander says:
Great to see them get some positive attention for a change
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I am thinking 91 guys. It was his original number. He only became 61 because Kadri who got drafted by Toronto already had 91 and 19 is retired in our organization, hence why Yashin picked 79. My feeling is he will wear 91. But honestly..I always think of Federov when I see that number. I kinda hopes he goes with 61 and makes a name for himself. It would be cool to start seeing more kids wanting to wear a different number like crosby did with 87.
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LooNTooNs says:
Lets all remember the last isles in a Mets uniform. DP taking batting practise. Let him throw the pitch and get the hell outta there!
BTW My Ticket rep called me on Sat, I asked her great when do I get to meet him? (I knew the answer)
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Blizzard says: Can we move on to free agamcy now?
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dose says:
i just want to get corny here for a second. i took off work friday to set up my entire day around the pre-draft stuff and to get ready for the festivities. this was that important to me. for hour after hour i sat here (when i wasn’t pacing) and went back and forth between tsn, hockey news, but of course most of all – i was right here. now that it’s over i can say that was one of the most fun sports days i’ve ever had. i can’t believe how much hockey some of you guys (and ladies) know, and also how good CB is at getting the info we want to know, at the right times. the comments and insight and info were awesome, and without the meanness and sniping. there was even a lot of funny stuff. as someone else noted too, i was laughing out loud at some of the stuff i read. i go back to the original draft that created this team and i remember how excited i was. with all that’s going on with the team now, this felt just about as exciting as that day in ’71. to all the great fans who made this such a blast, and especially to the man – CB — THANKS! okay, i’ll leave you guys alone now.
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upstatenyifan says:
I’m not sure what’s worse; the long wait endured to the draft, or the upcoming marathon wait until the season finally begins. I can’t wait to see how everythings going to pan out.
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Craig says:
Find it quite amusing CB that I went to full season tickets three months ago for this season, but I won’t get any of these perks. Got to love the marketing scheme….
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miket says:
take no chances..he should roll the ball from the pitchers mound.
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Deadhead says:
Will this be on tv?
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BringBackNyles says:
Nice touch..ESPN is showing the game hope they show it.
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pj says:
I think to play it safe Jt should wear a yankees jersey tonight. this way he does not get hurt…
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TimQ says:
It would be a great touch if he wore his Islander jersey tonight as he takes the mound tonight
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I’m excited to see this and glad the Isles are getting him into the sports consciousness of this area right away.
AZS – it got lost in the pre-draft run-up, but the next step is a hearing on July 7 at 10:30 AM to determine whether or not to move into public comments. All relevant sites will have the info as we move forward.
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D-man says:
Tom D / Isles in NJ: he’s a hockey player from canada… i think he knows what rivalries are all about.
and LooNTooNs: are you suggesting DP’s injuries had something to do with batting practice with the mets or some sort of curse?
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KO21 says:
Hey John, don;’t forget to bring your broom to Citified!!!
Lets Go Yankees, Lets Go Islanders!!!!
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isles99 says:
tavares is an islader! can you beleive it? anyways, tavares must understand that booing from rag$ is all jelousy baby! snow followed through his promise, now i will follow through on mine…..i love it….tavares, bailey, okposo together make less than half of what wade redden makes.
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Jeff says:
Just ordered my tickes for Mets Yankees today, single games are left, got it for 50 dollars less than what others told me and decent seats too! This was after hearing Tavares throws out first pitch, and I am from Flushing. Just nmot sure if I wear Mets shirt or Tavares shirt from party other night! Lets Go Mets! and of course JOHN TAVARES!!!!!!
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Ajax says:
It would be awesome to see Isles jerseys at the game tonight!
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Jim says:
Hopefully, Tavares will be wearing ISLES gear and not Mets(ESPN, PRIMETIME, YANKS/METS). Let’s show the world what franchise he’ll be playing for…..
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mrlbem says:
I guess that if I were an owner or GM of the Islanders, I’d contsantly be butting heads with the PR people. There’s no way I’d want John Tavares booed in his first public appearance in the New York area and that’s exactly what will happen tonight with all the Rag$ fans in attendance. He will be booed. I think the whole thing is a stupid idea.
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Brian B says:
I think there will be just as much Islanders fans as their are Rangers fans…
Even if there isn’t, keep in mind its going to be a packed house…and those cheers will be a lot louder than the boos…I don’t think the Ranger fans there will go all out to boo the kid…but the Isles fans will to cheer the kid.
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Bridge says:
Just got tickets to go!
I’d loove it if he was in an Islanders jersey, but seeing him in a Mets jersey would be AWESOME too! -
John Crozier says:
I hope he’s in an Islanders jersey, not a Mets jersey. Maybe the Yankees can slip him a jersey
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whatever says:
I’m already a STH, do we get to meet Tavares?
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Ed says:
Thank you ESPN for not showing the opening pitch. : (
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Yea it was pretty weak for them not to even mention it thus far. Especially considering this has to do with a recent major sports event you would think (hope) for better from them.
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well since they didn’t show it on tv. Can anybody who went to the game give us crowd reaction and how good was his pitch?
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WarrenG says:
I was just gonna say the same thing, unreal, our first major appearance in NY and ESPN screws us ISlanders again! Ugg
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downwithsnow says:
hes sitting right behind home plate with a white hat on.
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islestherapy says:
dont be insulted … the first pitch is almost NEVER mentioned on any channel.
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Cool, thanks for that update downwithsnow, kinda cool to see him sitting there…
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Original Rob says:
I can’t believe the Isles are able to get those primo seats at CitiField. Who’s that sitting next to JT?
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corey says: i never watch baseball but i went onto ESPN today and they didnt even show it! does anyone know how the crowd reacted to him and how the pitch was?
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They don’t usually show the ceremonial 1st pitch…Bababoey’s famous girly throw wasn’t aired live either…Its not a conspiracy, guys, let it go…
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Joe P says:
I DVRed the beginning of the game, just watched it and didn’t see the first pitch…was it televised? If not did anyone see it live? How was the pitch/what was the crowd reaction?
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Hahha he’s right behind home plate!
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if I was JT id be working on getting that girls # thats sitting next to him.
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steve says:
on wfan radio, howie rose decribed the pitch as high and outside but he didn’t describe how the crowd reacted. Howie sounded really happy and said how this makes the team relevant again. Music to all our ears. Can’t wait for the home opener to hear the crowd reaction. More than 3 months for that but worth the wait.
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matt says:
lmao wright asked john for his autograph before the game!
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joe says:
#66 where did u hear/see that?
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Can anyone tell who he’s rooting for? haha I hope its not the Yankees! He seems relatively emotionless, but I guess its pretty tough to tell watching from tv and looking at him in the stands. Anyone know if he is generally a quiet guy or anything like that?
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#67, its on the isles website. JT is quoted as saying Wright congratulated him and asked for an autograph.
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Yeah, I wouldn’t say John is quiet, but he is extremely laid back. He’s very even-keeled and doesn’t show too much emotion. According to newsday he’s a blue jays fan, but also likes the mets.
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Michael says:
He’s sitting in the front row not too far from where Mayor Bloomberg is sitting.
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corey says:
HAHAHHAHA! #17! i think hes still haunted by that throw haha. Anyway, cant wait for the beginning of the season and finally seeing tavares play for the Islanders
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Was at game, bought ticket last minute in my Flushing home town to watch and cheer loudly for Tavares. Pitch was high and outside/inside. I was in section 310 cheering loudly and chanting his name. Crowd really did not have much reaction. Couple of soft cheers, mild boos, but I think I overpowered them single handedly. There were a number of Islanders hats tonight, and bumped into a fan who went to MOntreal for the draft and another who won the contest. Islanders fans who went to the game listened and showed their Islanders pride!
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Hank says:
do you think JT will wear #61?
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George Isle fan from Dyker Heights says:
Hey CB and fellow Tavares fans. Just had the opportunity to meet JT. First the NC Draft party and today I ran into Tavares at Laguardia. He was heading to Air Canada, so he was going back home. Had my draft Isles hat I bought on friday and he signed it for me.He did put # 91 on it for those who are curious. I aproached him as quiet as possible I could be at a public area(airport). He seemed very low key and sad. I could be wrong, but even though he signed my hat he seemed like he did not want to be bothered. I was excited to meet him but I got a weird vibe from him, like leave me alone. I guess he is still young and a rookie.I’ve met Bossy at the same area and he was all smiles. I guess that the difference for now between a rookie and a vet.
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I was one of the contest winners and was able to talk to John for well over an hour after he was drafted. John is a great guy and cant wait to play foe us. I also talked to his mom barbara and she is just as excited. I am writing up our experiences up in Montreal and will submit it to the isles, i hope they publish it
thats cool
go tavares