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SHEA STADIUM
"Home of the Mets"
It's hard to believe this will be the final Mets baseball season played at Shea Stadium. I am totally opposed to
replacing our Shea next year. It's one of the most special places in the world to me, and it has held memories
of 40 plus baseball seasons for Mets fans. It has its own unique traditions. I had hoped that Mets ownership would
refurbish Shea, rather than replace it with the cold corporate sponsored, "Citi Field" - which does more to
celebrate the history of the Dodgers' Ebbets field than our Shea.
I have long enjoyed coming to Shea with my family and friends and on this page will share my memories and highlights
of the history made at Shea Stadium.
I still get a thrill riding into Shea either on the #7 Flushing subway line or on the Long Island Railroad -
and catch a glimpse of my big beautiful ball park! There it is - "Big Shea" standing in all its orange and blue
glory! A waive of Mets memories - friends and family too - washes over me each time I enter the Shea
gates. Even if a new ballpark is considered a necessity by ownership, I believe Shea should go on hosting
ballgames, concerts, fairs, and so forth adding to her impressive history.
It is unfortunate that so many disrespect Shea stadium just because it is not as new as others in the major leagues,
or there aren't as many luxury boxes to please corporations, or that when standing online at the concession stand, you
have to watch the game on tv rather than having a view of the field! The only aspect of Shea Stadium that I could see
changing, is the field box seats along the rightfield line that face the outfield rather than inwards to home plate.
The proposed new "Citi Field" will have more Luxury boxes for the corporate big shots and less seating (10,000 less!)
and so the regular fan gets shafted. There are more bathrooms and and "Rotunda" paying tribute to Brooklyn Dodger great,
Jackie Robinsion. I have the utmost respect for Jackie and what did for the game, but he has little or no connection
to the New York Mets. It would be more appropriate at the Brooklyn Cyclones ball park - also owned by mets owner,
Fred Wilpon. I like the idea of a rotunda, but pay tribute to Gil Hodges who managed the team to a world series
or even Roy Campanella who worked as a coach and Mets charities. Here's a crazy idea: How about a celebration of Mets
history and their greatest balIplayers? It is the METS ball park and our history should be the focus.
The History of Shea Stadium:
| Courtesy of Carl at: Carl's Mets Page |
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| http://www.carlabraham.com/NewYorkMets.htm |
When the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants left for California in 1957, New York National league baseball fans sought
to fill the void. Major League baseball tried to move another Major league team to NY, but were not able to get any
takers. A committee led by Branch Rickey and Mr. William A. Shea, a prominent New York attorney, proposed
a new baseball league for cities starving for baseball. It was called the Continental league. Eventually
Major League Baseball expanded the National League to include teams in New York and Houston for the 1962 Season.
The Continental League
The Mets first home was the Polo Grounds, former home of the the Giants. Shea opened in 1964 and was named
in honor of Mr. William A. Shea as he was most responsible for returning National League baseball to New York.
Thank you Mr. Shea!! On each opening day, the Mets presented Mr. Shea and later his family with a floral arrangement
as part of opening day ceremonies. Bill Shea passed away October 2nd 1991.
Shea Stadium was built in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, NY. This was across from
the fairgrounds of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. Under the banner of "peace through understanding',
the World's Fair displayed man's inventions, discoveries, arts, skills and aspirations in an expanding universe.
Robert Moses, Fair President, termed the billion dollar exposition an "Olympics of Progress" where distinguished representatives
of science, arts, industries, transportation and other fields of human endeavor will compete in human knowledge and opinion
on equal terms in healthy competition. Its more than 150 pavillions, spreading over 646 acres of Flushing Meadow Park,
were dedicated to educating the peoples of the world to the need for interdependent nations in order to insure a lasting peace.
My recollections of the World's Fair are vague. I was barely 4 years old at the time, but remember two attractions
presented by Disney, "The Carousel of Progress" and "Its a Small World". Both became Icons of the Disneyland and
Walt Disney World parks.
SHEA ROCKS!
Before the term "Arena Rock" was born, The Beatles performed a concert at Shea Stadium on August 15th 1964. It was
pandemonium at Shea!
| BEATLES AT SHEA STADIUM 1965 |
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This is a wonderful picture of Shea as it features the Beatles playing at "Second Base" and also check out the old
scoreboard and Mets sign - I wish the Mets would bring that back. Back to where it once belonged!
| AD FOR BEATLES 1966 CONCERT |
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I'm as big a Beatles fan as I am a Mets fan! I take alot of pride that this historic concert was played in the
home of the Mets! This is the setlist the Beatles performed at Shea:
Twist and Shout
I Feel Fine
Dizzy Miss Lizzy
Ticket to ride
Act Naturally
Can´t buy me love
Baby´s in Black
A Hard Day´s Night
Help!
I´m Down
| BEATLEMANIA! |
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My sister Nancy attended the concert and so she is probably in that picture screaming her teeny bopper heart out!
The Beatles returned to Shea August 23rd 1966.
Visit Maccafan.net - Beatles at Shea Stadium Page
YOUTUBE LINK: "Twist & Shout"
YOUTUBE LINK: "Ticket to Ride"
YOUTUBE LINK: "Im Down"
Shea Stadium would be the site of other great landmark rock concerts starring The Who1982), The Rolling Stones
(1989), and Bruce Springsteen (2003). In the case of The Who, their concert was the first of their "Farewell Tours"!
| THE WHO "FAREWELL" TOUR POSTER 1982 |
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| ROLLING STONES 1989 |
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| BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & E STREET BAND 2003 |
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Other acts to play Shea: Elton John & Eric Clapton, Simon & Garfunkel, Grand Funk Railroad, Janis Joplin,
Joan Jett, The Clash, REM, and The Police.
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LAST PLAY AT SHEA
The Last concert to be played at Shea was to be by Billy Joel during the Allstar
Break on July 16h 2008. But ticket demand was so great that a second show was added on Friday July 18th.
Both concerts featured guests: Tony Bennett, Steven Tyler,
John Mellencamp (7/16), John Mayer, The second show also featured, Garth Brooks, Roger
Daltry, Don Henley, and amazingly enough, Sir James Paul McCartney!
Having McCartney there, brought it full circle. I was skeptical that Billy would be the appropriate
artist to do the last concert, as i always considered him more of a Yankees fan - but apparently he had a soft spot for the
Mets groiwng up as well. I had hoped that Paul McCartney would get the nod, but I didn't hear anything from my McCartney
sources that would confirm he would be part of the show. Honestly, t couldn't see how McCartney couldn't have missed
this, I really wanted to see Paul rock Shea with "Im Down" one more time! So I was so pleasantly
surprised and excited to see on the news that night that Paul showed up at Shea to play "I saw her Standing there" and "Let
it Be". Fantastic! What a way to take it out!
SETLIST FOR FRIDAY JULY 18th 2008:
Last play at Shea photos
Last Play at Shea: McCartney: "Shea was a Blast"
YOUTUBE LINK: "I Saw her standing there"
YOUTUBE LINK: "Let it Be"
Shea Stadium was also the Football Jets from 1964-83. Though Shea
was built for baseball, it was converted for football. The Jets were led by their star quarterback Joe Namath, nicknamed "Broadway
Joe" by the New York press. He became one of the most dominant sports celebrities of the 60's and 70's appearing
on many television shows. Most memorable for this writer is an episode of "The Brady Bunch" in which
he plays football with the Brady boys in their backyard.
The Jets won the AFL championship at Shea in 1968. Namath guaranteed and the
won the Super Bowl in January against the Colts in 1969. Go J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!
| NAMATH 1969 |
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Despite tremendous fan support, the Jets were not always happy playing at Shea.
Due conflicts with the baseball season, the Jets were forced to practice at Flushing Meadow Park. In 1973 They
played their first 6 games on the road because the Mets were in the playoffs and World Series. Interestingly
enough in 1983 the Jets moved to New Jersey to play in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands.
In 1975 Shea Stadium was the center of the New York sports universe as they were the
temporary home of the Yankees, Football Giants, and of course the Mets and Jets.
Visit Ralph's Jets Page
MR. MET PRESENTS: FAST FACTS
ABOUT SHEA!
Memories....
My earliest memory of Shea Stadium dates back to 1971 when my
sister Nancy took me to my first Mets game! I was only 10 and more
interested in hot dogs and crackerjacks than the game itself - but it was a day with my sister and her friends I
won't ever forget.
Before we left for the game, I remember my Dad trying to explain
the rules of baseball to me. I feel sorry for the man now, as I just didn't comprehend it!! I was also
an awful math student at the time. I got dizzy as he tried to explain about 9 men on each side, 9 innings, 3 strikes
and your out etc....
I do remember it being "Helmet Day" - one of the best giveaway days in
Mets history! This was back before every event had a corporate sponsorship! Nowadays the Mets give away days sound
a bit like, Chase Bank-Cannon-Newsday-Yahoo.com "Back to school" Pin Day!
Anyway back on that glorious Summer day in 1971, the Mets played the Pirates
and I learned an important lesson about being a Mets fan. It ain't over till its over! We left the game
in the 8th inning and the Mets were winning. By the time we drove home (In my sister's Chevy Nova), my Father
greeted us with the news that the Mets had lost! Nevertheless I became Mets fan that day!
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| MIKE (L), ED (R) @ METS 2006 DIVISION CLINCHER |
I was too young for '69, and I watched '73 on TV. But by 1986 wild horses
couldn't keep me away! On September 17, 1986 my brother Mike and I joined the frenzied crowd on the field as we celebrated
the Mets winning the NL East title and the greatest year in Mets history! We even took home a bit of Shea!
We planted it in our backyard nicknaming it, "Little Shea" haha
Shea Stadium has been the site of many great moments through the years. The
Miracle Mets World Championship teams of 1969 and 1986; National League Pennant winners in 1973, 2000; and division
and wild card winners of 1988 and 1999. There have been great concerts played at Shea and even Pope John Paul
II blessed Shea in 1979. And we really needed it that year!
VOTE FOR GREATEST MOMENTS AT SHEA!
Healing after tragedy begins at Shea.....
On September 21, 2001 just 10 days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Center and Pentagon, baseball returned to Shea in an effort to raise the spirits of a city and nation. It was a
sign of strength and courage after tremendous loss and sadness.
New Yorkers proved their resiliance on 9/11. In the face of great loss
of innocent life, people really helped each other. As this was a loss we all shared and we must survive together.
The amount of heroism that was displayed by the New York Fire Department, New York
Police Department, Port Authority Police Department, Emergency Medical Team, and other emergency workers cannot be measured. What
must be inside your gut to forego your own security to try to rescue others from perilous, even hopeless situations
takes a tremendous and loving gift. They deserve our highest praise and appreciation.
The Mets wore the caps of the NYPD, FDNY, PAPD and EMT in the game that night
as well as the rest of the season.
Al Leiter started for the Mets that night opposed by Braves rookie righthander, Jason
Marquise. As fate would have it, Jason is a New Yorker having grown up on Staten Island.
America and New York needed a win that night and they got one! Mike Piazza ignited
the city with a dramatic homerun as the Mets beat the Braves 3-2. Ya Gotta Believe in America!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Visit Mimi's Insanely Obsessive Mets Page for a beautiful tribute and more pictures of the event.
CLICK & READ THIS BLOG - Great story! "Wilpon & Shea: The inevitable conversation" (Courtesy of faithandfearblogharbor.com)
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Dedicated to the memory of
two of our most ardent believers, Tug McGraw and Bob Murphy
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