The 7 Line Army is a group of fans of the New 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 the 7 train of the New York City Subway, which stops near Citi Field at Mets–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]
History
The first outing was the final home game of the 2012 season, September 27. 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 including home and away games. Tickets were sold on The 7 Line website. For each outing 2012 through 2015, ticket prices included a customized T-shirt.[citation needed]
The 7 Line Army 2016 participation included 14 games at Citi Field and outings at Petco Park in San Diego, Miller Park in Milwaukee, two outings to Nationals Park in Washington, DC, and the fourth annual "Bronx Invasion". In 2016, the Army attended both Subway Series games at Yankee Stadium, instead of just one.[citation needed]
On July 3, 2019, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen sat with The 7 Line Army through 4+1⁄2innings of a game against the New York Yankees. Though the Mets were playing under .500 and fans had expressed their dissatisfaction with the results of off-season trades, Van Wagenen, wearing the group's orange jersey, was welcomed by the fans and signed many autographs.[6]
Effects
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 pitcher Jacob deGrom.[7]