September 28th, 2009. Over 56,000 fans packed into William A. Shea Municipal Stadium in Flushing, New York one last time to watch the New York Mets play the Florida Marlins. After 45 seasons, Shea Stadium was closing its doors. It was also a
day to celebrate the past 45 seasons of Met history, which included;
Seven trips to the postseason,
Four World Series, including three series clinching games, two by the Mets,
Seven NL Championship Series, including four series clinching games, three by the Mets,
Three NL Division Series, which includes twice the Mets clinching the series,
Three NL East Division championship clinching games by the Mets,
A postseason berth “tie” clincher in 1999,
Four CY Young award winning seasons,
Three Met Rookie of the Year award winning seasons,
And too numerous moments and great players to mention.
Walking around the parking lot, just off to the side of Gate E a couple of hours before the game, one could get a good sense about the mixture of feelings and emotions that were going to be flooding through the stadium. Wandering around the lot, with Citi Field’s Jackie Robinson Rotunda looming, almost ominously in the light drizzle and its unfinished state, as a backdrop; fans were in full force with tailgates, including an informal gathering of members of a Mets internet message forum, many ready to say their final regular season goodbyes to their “summer home.” “Yeah, I’ve been coming here for a long time.” Craig, a fan from Hempstead in his late 20s said. “Almost 30 years now!”
While some fans, like Craig were looking forward to what awaited them in 2009, some like Chris from New Hyde Park, didn’t seem quite ready; “I’m not happy with Citi Field, [Shea] was perfect! There are going to be less seats and all.” Also Julia, a Yonkers native who had been a fan since the Mets inception in 1962 wished that the new place could be “a bit more blue of course.”
Inside the stadium the sentiment was still the same. Because of the inclement weather, the Diamond Club’s Bar and Grill Room provided a nice spot for fans to hoist one more cold one before the game. Among them was a Port Jefferson native, Rob, who brought his 8-month year old son to witness the final game. “We’re kind of sad to see it go, obviously, I’m not happy to see Shea go, you have to accept it.”
Even people going back to the days the stadium first opened were gathered to say one more farewell, Phil from Orange County, who watched the stadium being built, echoed the sentiments many were feeling, “I saw the 1969 and 2000 World Series, it’s been a great run here.” Phil also brought up a connection between the stadium, the organization and its fans that he felt was different than what happens over in the Bronx; “It’s a real family feel and it’s a comfortable place. As a kid I grew up here, and as an adult my kids have grown up here. It’s a great family environment.”
From the other side of the age spectrum is Joe, a Middle Village native who was sporting his Howard Johnson throwback jersey for the game; “I think I am, ready to move on, but I’m going to miss this place. Nothing rocks more than Shea when there is a big game, and that’s what I’m going to miss the most, but hopefully we’ll make some new memories.
One thing that should be part of the Citi Field experience though, is the fan known as “Cow-Bell Man.” Eddie Boison, from the Bronx, has been patrolling the Shea Stadium aisles for 13 years now, with cow-bell in hand, and #15 (in honor of Carlos Beltran) jersey on. And Boison does seem ready for the move; “I plan to be there, I’m looking forward to it. We are going to have new memories there.”
Joe McDonald, of NYSportsDay.com and NY Sports Scene magazine was also at the game, covering the last game at Shea, doing what he has for around 125 times over the last four years, and hundreds more as a fan; “The first game I remember going to was September 24, 1982. The Mets won and essentially knocked the Phillies out of the playoffs race. I remember that day, because the ski caps they gave away that day are still at my parent’s house.”
McDonald also provided a glimpse of Shea that the general public didn’t know much about; “As a member of the media, the press elevator is the absolute worst. I sometimes think there’s a little hamster in a wheel running it!”
Much like 2007, the Mets headed into the matchup with the Florida Marlins needing a win to keep faint postseason hopes alive, with the Philadelphia Phillies clinching the NL East the day before. Johan Santana's three-hit complete game shutout and the Cubs' 7-3 win over Milwaukee meant that the two teams were in flat footed 89-72 tie for the Wild Card lead. Both teams won or lost, there would be a one game playoff at Shea on Monday the 29th. If either team won, and the other lost, the loser's season was done.
The game itself was nearly a microcosm of the 2008 Mets season.
After allowing one hit through the first five, Oliver Perez gave up three straight hits and a run to start the sixth. A second run would score after Perez was lifted for Joe Smith.
The Mets tied the game at two in the bottom of the inning on a two-run Carlos Beltran home run. In the 8th however, the Marlins retook the lead on a Wes Helms home run off of Scott Schoenweis, and Dan Uggla's home run off of Luis Ayala gave the game its final run.
It was around that time that the Brewers' Ryan Braun broke a 1-1 tie against the Cubs in the bottom of the 8th. CC Sabathia just gave up one hit in the top of the ninth to give the Brewers at least a tie for the Wild Card.
The Mets mounted a rally in the bottom of the eight, but weren't able to capitalize. With former Met farmhand Matt Lindstrom on the mound, the Mets went quietly in the ninth, with the final out of the the game, the season, and the stadium being Ryan Church flying out to centerfielder Cameron Maybin.
About a half hour later, and there was still a great crowd lingering for this, the “Shea Goodbye” ceremony got under way. For some reason part of this was setting up special multiple sided placard type signs featuring photos of past Mets and moments from Shea’s history in the outfield. And interestingly enough the signs were never referred to, or spotlighted during the ceremony.
Kicking off was footage of Billy Joel from his July concert at Shea playing a little “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” on the piano. This was followed by Mr. Met revealing a Citi Field Logo underneath the #1 on the countdown. This was met by a reaction of boos from the crowd, perhaps more so a release from watching another season end in bitter disappointment than reaction to the Mets new home’s rather plain and hideously designed logo.
Radio broadcaster Howie Rose was the Master of Ceremonies and gave a nice opening intro to the ceremony and noted that a few of the guests whom were invited couldn’t be there;
Outfielder Jim Hickman (1962-1966)
Pitcher Nolan Ryan (1966, 1968-1971)
Catcher Jerry Grote (1966-1977)
Pitcher Jon Matlack (1971-1977}
Infielder Hubie Brooks (1980-1984, 1991}
Catcher Todd Hundley (1990-1998)
Manager Davey Johnson (1984-1990}
Infielder Ray Knight (1984-1986} and
Outfielder Mookie Wilson (1980-1989}.
Next up would be several members of the Mets family through the years to gather behind the home plate area;
Long time employee Bob Mandt
Long time employee, the late Jim Plummer’s widow and son
Groundskeeper Pete Flynn
The stadium's namesake's children Kathy Shea Anfuso and Bill Shea Jr.
The Voice of the Mets, Bob Murphy’s widow, Joy
The manager of the 1969 World Champions, Gil Hodges’ widow, Joan and son Gil Hodges Jr.
Outfielder Tommie Agee’s (1968-1972} widow Maxine and Agee’s daughter Janelle
Mark and Mathew McGraw representing the late pitcher Tug McGraw (1965-1967, 1969-1974)
And longtime broadcaster, Ralph Kiner
Rose then proceeded to do a roll call of 43 ex-Mets invited back to make their ways from both bullpens to line up between first and third. Each Met came out in era specific throwback uniforms;
# 22 Pitcher Jack Fisher (1964-1967)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 33 Infielder Ron Hunt (1963-1966)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 15 Pitcher Al Jackson (1962-1965, 1968-1969}
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 25 Outfielder Frank Thomas (1962-1964)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 43 Pitcher Jim McAndrew (1968-1973}
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 27 Pitcher Craig Swan {1973-1984}
Uniform Style the early 1980s pullover with blue and orange sleeve and neck trim
# 9 Outfielder George Theodore (1973-1974}
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 23 Infielder Doug Flynn (1977-1981)
Uniform Style the early 1980s pullover with blue and orange sleeve and neck trim
# 5 Infielder Ed Charles (1967-1969}
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 24 Outfielder Art Shamsky (1968-1971}
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 11 Infielder Wayne Garrett (1969-1976)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 26 Outfielder Dave Kingman (1975-1977, 1981-1983)
Uniform Style the early 1980s pullover with blue and orange sleeve and neck trim
# 17 Infielder Felix Millan (1973-1977)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 12 Catcher John Stearns (1975-1984}
Uniform Style the early 1980s pullover with blue and orange sleeve and neck trim
# 15 Outfielder George Foster (1982-1986}
Uniform Style the early 1980s pullover with blue and orange sleeve and neck trim
# 11 Infielder Tim Teufel (1986-1991}
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 9 Infielder Todd Zeile (2000-2001, 2004)
Uniform Style, current pinstriped button down
# 4 Outfielder Ron Swoboda (1965-1970)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
#16 Outfielder Lee Mazzilli (1976-1981, 1986-1989)
Uniform Style the early 1980s pullover with blue and orange sleeve and neck trim
# 6 Infielder Wally Backman (1980-1988)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 12 Pitcher Ron Darling (1983-1991)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 50 Pitcher Sid Fernandez (1984-1993)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 20 Infielder Howard Johnson (1985-1993)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping though still
wearing his snow white uniform pants, undergarments and cap from the game!
# 19 Pitcher Bob Ojeda (1986-1990)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 4 Infielder Robin Ventura (1999-2001)
Uniform Style, current pinstriped button down
# 22 Pitcher Al Leiter (1998-2004)
Uniform Style current pinstriped button down
# 7 Infielder Ed Kranepool (1962-1979)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down. Oddly enough, this appears to have
been the first time Kranepool has worn a uniform to a Met reunion that wasn’t his actual 1979 uniform top!
# 21 Outfielder Cleon Jones (1963, 1965-1975)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down Walking out of the, appropriately enough, left field bullpen, a few feet from where he caught the final out of the 1969 World Series.
# 3 Infielder Bud Harrelson (1965-1977)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 47 Pitcher Jesse Orosco (1979, 1981-1987)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 13 Infielder Edgardo Alfonzo (1995-2002)
Uniform Style current pinstriped button down
# 45 Pitcher John Franco (1990-2001, 2003-2004)
Uniform Style current pinstriped button down
# 10 Outfielder Rusty Staub (1972-1975, 1981-1985)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 4 Outfielder Len Dykstra (1985-1989)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 8 Catcher Gary Carter (1985-1989)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 36 Pitcher Jerry Koosman (1967-1978)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 8 Coach and Manager Yogi Berra (1965-1975)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 17 Infielder Keith Hernandez (1983-1989)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 18 Outfielder Darryl Strawberry (1983-1990)
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 16 Pitcher Dwight Gooden (1984-1994}
Uniform Style the mid 1980s pullover with the blue and orange piping
# 24 Outfielder Willie Mays (1972-1973)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down
# 31 Catcher Mike Piazza (1998-2005)
Uniform Style current pinstriped button down
# 41 Pitcher Tom Seaver (1967-1977, 1983)
Uniform Style the 1960s and 1970s button down.
Naturally the applauses got louder with each dignitary, with special applauses for first time returnees John Franco Dwight Gooden, and Mike Piazza. Al Leiter got a smattering of boos though, as he is now a broadcaster with the Yankees, and has in the past gave some harsh comments about the Mets.
For those who care about such things the Shea Stadium debut season of 1964 was represented with 5 players (Fisher, Hunt, Jackson, Thomas, and Kranepool).
The 1969 World Champions, whom will have their 40th anniversary in 2009, were represented with 11 players (Seaver, Koosman, Kranepool, Jones, Garrett, Harrelson, Shamsky, Swoboda, Charles, McAndrew and Jackson, who played in 9 games early that season), 1 coach (Berra) and representatives of two deceased players and the the deceased manager (Agee, McGraw and Hodges.
Seaver, Berra, Koosman, Kranepool, Jones, Garrett, Harrelson and McAndrew were joined by Staub, Theodore, Millan Mays and Swan (September call up that year) to make up the 13 representatives from the 1973 NL Champions.
The 1986 World Champions were represented by 14 players (Gooden, Strawberry, Hernandez, Carter, Johnson, Fernandez, Ojeda, Darling, Dysktra, Backman, Mazzilli, Orosco, Teufel and Foster (released in mid-season) and 1 coach (Harrelson).
That group, minus Foster and Orosco, also represents the 1988 NL East winning squad as well
The 1999 Wild Card Winners were represented with 5 players (Piazza, Franco, Ventura, Leiter, Alfonzo) with a 6th added in Zeile to represent the 2000 NL Champions.
Then a nice Shea retrospective video was played to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes' “it's Been A Long Time.” Then, with half of the procession from the third base line, and the other half down the first base line, each of the 43 Mets, led by Willie Mays “crossed the plate” for the last time. Some added some unique twists as opposed to the standard wave to the crowd;
Mays, Jackson, McAndrew and Shamsky gave the plate a touch with their fingers.
Theodore and Harrelson leapt onto the plate.
Jones recreated his 1969 World Series clinching final out catch.
Orosco did the same with his 1986 fists high in the air celebratory pose after recording the final out in the World Series.
Alfonzo did his customary pointing skyward.
Hernandez did his batting stance.
Seaver recreated his bowing to each section that he did to cap of his 1988 number retirement speech.
Tom Seaver then strolled to the mound, on which his exploits earned him the nickname "The Franchise," and proceeded to throw a ceremonial "final pitch" to future Hall of Fame backstop Mike Piazza. Before doing so, Seaver made sure to motion to the retired number # 14, honoring Gil Hodges.
Seaver and Piazza then proceed to walk towards centerfield while the PA system played Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" and The Beatles' "In My Life."
The two Met icons then waved one more time to the crowd before closing the centerfield gate and a final Shea Stadium pyrotechnic display went up, a final "thank you for your support" message from the PA announcer, one more playing of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and with that, the lights at Shea Stadium were turned off for the final time.
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