.jpg) The 7 Line Army atCiti Field onOpening Day, April 3, 2017 | |
| Named after | 7 (New York City Subway service) |
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| Formation | September 27, 2012; 13 years ago (2012-09-27) |
| Founded at | Queens,New York City, US |
| Purpose | Support theNew York Mets baseball team and attend its games |
| Website | the7line |
The 7 Line Army is a group of fans of theNew York Mets started in 2012 by Darren Meenan, the founder of The 7 Line, a company that makes Mets-themed apparel. The group is named after the7 train of theNew York City Subway, which stops nearCiti Field atMets–Willets Point.[1] They occupy the Big Apple Reserved section of Citi Field during some Mets home games. The 7 Line Army also attends Mets road games, sponsoring outings which attract more than 1,000 fans.[2]
The first outing was on September 27, 2012, the final game of the Mets' season. Meenan had the idea to try to host a group outing. He began by purchasing 100 tickets in the Big Apple Reserve section, and then when they sold out, he purchased 100 more, and then 100 more. In the end, he sold 550 tickets to the game.[3][4] The 7 Line Army filled the 860 seats of the Big Apple Reserve. From there, Meenan began to plan full schedules each year includinghome andaway games. Tickets were sold on The 7 Line website. For each outing from 2012–2015, ticket prices included a customized T-shirt.
The 7 Line Army activities for 2014 included 7 games at Citi Field and outings to seeAT&T Park inSan Francisco,Marlins Park inMiami,Citizens Bank Park inPhiladelphia andYankee Stadium in theBronx.
Its participation in 2015 included 9 games at Citi Field and outings at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx,PNC Park inPittsburgh,Turner Field inAtlanta,Camden Yards inBaltimore andCoors Field inDenver. When the Mets won the division, The 7 Line Army was present at every home postseason game, including the2015 World Series against theKansas City Royals.[5]
The 7 Line Army 2016 participation included 14 games at Citi Field and outings atPetco Park inSan Diego,Miller Park inMilwaukee, two outings toNationals Park inWashington, DC, and the fourth annual "Bronx Invasion". In 2016, the Army attended bothSubway Series games at Yankee Stadium, instead of just one.
Its participation in 2017 included 14 games at Citi Field and outings atNationals Park in Washington, DC,Busch Stadium inSt. Louis, andSafeco Field inSeattle. They were scheduled to go toMinute Maid Park inHouston, but most did not attend due toHurricane Harvey.
On July 3, 2019, Mets general managerBrodie Van Wagenen sat with The 7 Line Army through4+1⁄2 innings of a game against theNew York Yankees. Though the Mets were playing under .500 and fans had expressed their dissatisfaction with the results of offseason trades, Van Wagenen, wearing the group's orange jersey, was welcomed by the fans and signed many autographs.[6]
Mets players have noted the effect The 7 Line Army has when playing on the road. “It almost felt like we were playing at home, the support the fans are giving us at other ballparks, it feels real good," said pitcherJacob deGrom.[7]
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