As I pulled into the parking lot at Citi Field before Game 3 on Monday, the cheerful attendant extended a greeting as he waved me in. Then he asked if I wanted to hear a dirty joke.
Of course not, but, O.K.: What’s the joke?
“Chase Utley,” he said.
So this was how life would be for the next few hours as Citi Field hosted its first playoff game, and the Mets’ first at home since 2006. Although 48 hours had passed since Utley broke shortstop Ruben Tejada’s right leg while breaking up a double play in Game 2, the memory was fresh at Citi Field.