The Great Doc Gooden Autograph Controversy is mercifully at an end, the Mets having reversed field on the issue after getting an earful in a glorious media/fan backlash.
But this being the Mets, the solution will be more complicated than necessary. The section of wall on which the autograph is written will be removed, placed under Plexiglas and relocated to a different part of the stadium. On Sunday team public relations representative Jay Horowitz had said that Gooden's signature — which was scrawled on a wall near the Ebbets Club restaurant at the behest of an employee — was to be painted over. But that was before Mets fans got wind of it and started complaining. And due to recent occurrences in the NL East standings, these people are ill-tempered to begin with.
"We've listened to our fans on this," Horwitz said. "The last thing we want is for them or Doc to be upset. We just didn't want everyone to think it was OK to start writing on walls all over the stadium."
He added that the Mets plan to procure similar autographs from other popular ex-Mets such as Tom Seaver, Darryl Strawberry, Mike Piazza and Mookie Wilson and display them around the concourse.
Of course NY Daily News commenters are receiving the news with joy and aplomb.
• This is the most ridiculous organization in NY. I thought Dolan was bad. Everything they touch turns to cr@p. I just wish I hadn't become a fan when I was young, because no matter what I have to root for these guys. — jesuswalks Apr 21, 2009 10:59:16 AM
• I have a question, why the green seats? Who's idea was that? why not blue like one of the met colors. — yanksin08 Apr 21, 2009 11:12:34 AM
• The Wilpons are p.i.s.s.i.n.g me off with this disconnect with fans and team. I don't know what else to call it. — The Masked Marauder Apr 21, 2009 11:25:22 AM
• This just in....Wilpons are pressing charges against Doc Gooden for Grafitti. His tagging the citifield wall is a parole violation. — kingbenny on Apr 21, 2009 10:44 AM
Write On! Mets Decide Not To Erase Doc Gooden's Name At Citi Field [New York Daily News]
Dopey Mets WantTo Erase Dwight's Citi Autograph [New York Post]