Kevin Burkhardt
Look, I’m a sucker for ballpark rituals—Home Run Apples, fan chants, overpriced hot dogs—and Kevin Burkhardt gets it. I asked him what makes Citi Field special, and the guy didn’t miss a beat: it’s the experience. The roaming. The community. The roar when the Apple pops up. He talked about tailgating, Jackie Robinson’s legacy, and the third-string catcher fans fall in love with—because they know his story. You want to know why a ballpark’s sacred? It’s not the seats. It’s the people. Kevin knows every inch of Citi Field. And he reminded me why that still matters.
Robby: Tell me about Citi Field. If you're a baseball fan who hadn’t had a chance to go there, why would they have a good experience?
Kevin: That’s the word—experience. Shea Stadium was what it was: old, rough, rats in the basement. But Citi Field? It’s entertainment. The food is terrific, the views are great, and there's energy. I used to roam the stadium, take in a couple innings from different spots, chat with fans, check out the food. The Shea Bridge in right center is a meeting spot—get a Shake Shack burger, hang with friends, watch from there. It took time, but now it’s got the energy of Shea with the entertainment of today.
Robby: The Shea Bridge, the Home Run Apple—how important is it that those made the jump to Citi?
Kevin: Crucial. Mets fans are deeply nostalgic. They can recall exact plays from 1969. If you didn’t bring over the Apple, it would’ve been like severing ties with the team’s soul. Those things connect the new park to the history of the Mets and the city. They kept that identity alive.
Robby: How do you describe the passion Mets fans have for their team?
Kevin: It’s unmatched. Maybe I’m biased, but they live and die with this team, even in the lean years. You’re 18 games out in August, and they’re still watching every pitch. There’s this underdog mentality—if you give your all, they’ll love you forever. You don’t need to hit .300. Just leave some sweat on the field, and you’re family.
Robby: Talk to me about the 7 Line. What do they bring to the game?
Kevin: Darren’s built something amazing. Started in his garage, now it's a full-on movement. Chants, tailgating, community. You see them in center field, all wearing the same shirt, same chants. They're there constantly. I got to know a lot of them—what jobs they were coming from to make it to the game. It’s a second family.
Robby: You’ve also connected with fans like the Bleacher Creatures or the Renegades of the Rotunda. How do those bonds shape the atmosphere?
Kevin: These sports don’t exist without them. Baseball especially—it’s like a daily reality show. The players are characters. The fans are deeply invested. And we try to bring that to viewers who maybe haven’t been to a game. You show them, “This is what it’s like to sit here with these fans.” The players feel it. It creates real home field advantage.
Robby: Our job is to humanize the players. How much pride did you take in that?
Kevin: A ton. Stats are great, but fans root for stories. You want to know about the third-string catcher from the Dominican Republic? Where’s he from? What’s his journey? I always tried to find something relatable about a player. I remember Mike Pelfrey—first game at Citi, good pitcher, but loved because of who he was. That’s the job. Make them human.
Robby: Last thing. What would you tell a fan heading to Citi Field for the first time?
Kevin: Take the 7 train if you can. Or the LIRR. Tailgate if it’s the weekend. But when you enter, go through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda—it’s awe-inspiring. That’s your opening moment. Then hit the Mets Hall of Fame, explore the concourse food—it’s like New York’s version of food trucks. Get your nutrients, find your seats, and soak it in.
Robby: How cool is that Rotunda?
Kevin: It’s perfect. At first, people were skeptical—why a tribute to Jackie and not a Mets legend? But once it opened, it made sense. It’s a shrine to Jackie and to baseball. You go up that escalator and think, “Wow.” It’s the perfect way to start a ballgame.
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More from Kevin Burkhardt
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.