NEW YORK METS 2008 SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE*
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COVER STORY DATE TIME OPPONENT LOCATION
Martinez spent the last season on the bench, sidelined
by injury. There was controversy earlier this year when
Martinez was quoted in the media with disparaging
remarks about Port St. Lucie, but Mets officials say he
was misquoted. “We don’t think it was an open-handed
slap at Port St. Lucie,” Gagnon said.
“People who have come here in past years will be
pleasantly surprised with the new commercial development
around the stadium” said Odaly Victoril, marketing
and public relations specialist for St. Lucie County. “It’s
important to realize how much exposure we receive by
having the Mets playing here.”
Tourism officials estimate the Mets bring $3.2 million to
the local economy and the month of March traditionally
has the highest hotel occupancy rate for the
entire year.
“They fill up our hotels and rentals and contribute to
the bed tax. It (spring training) brings a lot of money to
the county,” said Linda Cox, executive director of the St.
Lucie County Chamber of Commerce.
Fertitta and the Mets boosters can’t wait for the boys of
summer to return to Port St. Lucie.
“Hopefully, they’ll have a solid year. Last year they had a
bad June and September was the killer. Guys going down
with injuries. It kills you. They were seven games in front
and they lost it. I was devastated. I had my luggage down
from the attic and I was ready to go to New York for the
playoffs,” Fertitta said.
There’s always next year and it is almost here for Mets
fans in Port St. Lucie.
*Please call the Mets Ticket Office at 772.871.2115 to confirm time, dates and locations.
9
Feb. 26 Noon University of Michigan Tradition Field
Feb. 27 1:05 p.m. Detroit Tigers Joker Marchant Stadium
Feb. 28 1:05 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals Roger Dean Stadium
Feb. 29 1:10 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals Tradition Field
March 1 1:10 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers Tradition Field
March 2 1:05 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers Holman Stadium
March 3 1:10 p.m. Atlanta Braves Tradition Field
March 4 1:05 p.m. Florida Marlins Roger Dean Stadium
March 5 1:10 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers Tradition Field
March 6 7:05 p.m. Washington Nationals Space Coast Stadium
March 7 1:05 p.m. Cleveland Indians Chain of Lakes Park
March 8 1:05 p.m. Baltimore Orioles (ss) Fort Lauderdale Stadium
March 8 1:10 p.m. Florida Marlins (ss) Tradition Field
March 9 1:10 p.m. Houston Astros Tradition Field
March 10 1:10 p.m. Boston Red Sox Tradition Field
March 11 1:05 p.m Boston Red Sox City of Palms Park
March 12 1:10 p.m. Baltimore Orioles Tradition Field
March 13 1:05 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals Roger Dean Stadium
March 14 1:05 p.m. Florida Marlins Roger Dean Stadium
March 15 1:10 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals Tradition Field
March 16 1:10 p.m. Detroit Tigers (ss) Tradition Field
March 16 1:05 p.m. Houston Astros (ss) Osceola County Stadium
March 17 1:05 p.m. Washington Nationals Space Coast Stadium
March 18 OFF DAY
March 19 7:10 p.m. Cleveland Indians Tradition Field
March 20 7:10 p.m. Baltimore Orioles Tradition Field
March 21 1:10 p.m. Washington Nationals Tradition Field
March 22 1:05 p.m. Cleveland Indians Chain of Lakes Park
March 23 1:10 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals Tradition Field
March 24 1:05 p.m. Baltimore Orioles Fort Lauderdale Stadium
March 25 1:10 p.m. Atlanta Braves Tradition Field
March 26 1:10 p.m. Florida Marlins Tradition Field
March 27 1:05 p.m. Atlanta Braves Champion Stadium
March 28 1:05 p.m. Baltimore Orioles Fort Lauderdale Stadium
March 29 5:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox AutoZone Park
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