Shea Goodbye

I went to my first Baseball Game in 1964. My father took me to Shea Stadium to see the Mets play the Giants. I don't remember much about the game, but I remember being with my Dad and the overwhelming sight of the green grass and the enormity of Shea.

We went to many games together over the following 10 years. We had a little ritual each year. When the schedule was published in the newspaper each Spring, I would cut it out and circle 4 games. In those days, there were only a few places you could buy advance tickets other than at the stadium. One place that sold tickets was at Macy's in the Walt Whitman mall in Huntington. It was in the top floor by the furniture department. I always picked at least one game against the Giants. They were my father's favorite team until they moved to San Francisco in 1958. Plus they had my favorite non Met, Willie Mays.

I looked forward to those games like they were Christmas morning. The drive to Shea was always filled with anticipation but my heart would always start to pound as soon as we passed the Unisphere at the World's Fair grounds along the Grand Central Parkway and Shea Stadium came into view! It was like no other feeling in the world!

Shea Stadium was an amazing sight to behold! It was tall and light grey with blue and orange panels suspended from cables that were invisible from a distance. They seemed to be floating in mid air. Inside, there was always an intense feeling of excitement, even though we pretty much knew the Mets would probably lose. It didn't matter! There were many fathers and sons who were there for the sheer joy of the game. The green grass enveloped by a colorful grandstand was a treat for the eye! The field level seats were yellow, the loge was an orange ring, the mezzanine was blue, and the huge upper deck was green. The aromas were piercing! The air was filled with the smells of hot dogs, peanuts, beer, and cigars. If I concentrate hard enough, I can still conjure up the sensory experience.

Upon entering the gates, we would always buy a scorecard. They were 25 cents and came with a little blue pencil. My Dad taught me how to keep score. He taught me the nuances of the game. He loved pitching duels and great defense. Every time someone would hit a long fly ball, he would tell me to watch the outfielders to tell whether they had it or not.

1969 was the year of miracles. I was 10 and suddenly The Mets were a contending team! Every game we went to that year, the Mets won! In June we were at Shea when a pitching duel between Mets rookie Gary Gentry and Giants ace Juan Marichal went into extra innings. Tommie Agee hit a line drive homerun in the bottom of the 10th to give The Mets a 1-0 victory. That was the first time I felt Shea Stadium MOVE! The whole place shook! It was like an earthquake was happening in Flushing! We all know what followed. The Mets destroyed the Cubs with the help of a little black cat, They swept the Braves in the NLCS, and defeated the mighty Orioles in the series. Shea Stadium shook many times that year.

As the years went by, my father and I went to fewer games together. I became a teenager and after 1973, the Mets became losers again. When they traded Tom Seaver in 1977, I had lost interest. In the subsequent years, I got married and started my own family. A friend invited me to a game in 1984. The resurgent Mets with new ownership and great young ballplayers were contending again. I saw Dwight Gooden out duel Rick Sutcliffe in an amazing 1 hit performance. Shea Stadium was rocking again just like 1969!

In 1985, I took my son Dave to his first baseball game at Shea Stadium. I watched his excitement as though I was looking at myself through my father's eyes. In 1986, I took my daughter Jessica to her first game at Shea. Dave, Jessica, my wife Magge, and I were preparing to go. The Mets and Dwight Gooden were facing The Dodgers and their ace Fernando Valenzuela. Shea was sold out! Magge was afraid that Jessica (age 6) might be scared by the huge crowd. Magge told Jess to stay close to us and if you get lost, go to a policeman. When she asked Jessica "what will you do if you get lost?" Jessica said "I'll go home with Mookie Wilson!" We laugh about that story to this day!

I have taken all 5 of my children to their first baseball game at Shea Stadium. To us, it is the field of dreams. We went for the last time a few weeks ago. The Mets won that day. I tried to take it all in and savor it for all time. In my mind are the sights, smells, sounds, colors, and the memories. The planes taking off from La Guardia, the little blue pencils, running down the ramps, telling my kids to stop running down the ramps, Tom Terrific's dirt stained right knee, Keith Hernandez stretching in the outfield, Mike Piazza's mighty blasts, The magic, Jane Jarvis on her Thomas organ, Kiner's Korner, the mexican hat dance, the Curly Shuffle, Doc, Dar-ryl, Gil, Casey, Yogi, Davey, The Koos, Buddy, Tug, Rusty, Maz, The Kid, Wally, Fonsie, Reyes, Endy, Santana, Murph, Mookie, AND... The chants of "Lets Go Mets" that were never provoked by a message board but instead by a crowd lead by cherubic voices.

In a few weeks Shea will be dust. Tonight I shed a tear at the passing of another old friend. I have been to many other ballparks. To me, The only one that has real magic is Shea Stadium!

Remember to watch the outfielders!

RIP Shea Stadium 1964-2008