My Top 10 Shea Stadium Memories

1999 was a defining season in Mets history, filled with as many memorable moments as any. Todd Pratt and Robin Ventura both ended playoff games in walk off fashion, while the team was just thrilled to be taking part in postseason baseball for the first time since 1988. Ironically, it was a member of the 99 Mets rotation, who I saw start that day, who single-handedly eliminated the Mets from the ’88 playoffs. Orel Hershiser, an old, washed-up has-been as my family and I affectionately referred to him as, didn’t last long, allowing 6 runs in only 2.2 innings. The Mets would end up coming back against John Smoltz highlighted by a seventh inning Edgardo Alfonzo home run, winning 7-6, and pulling themselves to within four games of first place Atlanta. The game itself was great, but had nothing on pre-game festivities, which included photo-day, a tradition the team has since removed. The first 500 (maybe 1,000) fans who showed up were allowed to go on the field before the game and walk around the field taking pictures of the players, with the rules specifically stating that you weren’t allowed to take pictures with them. A few things that stand out about that day: First, it was the fourth of July and I somehow convinced my parents to take me to Shea instead of doing whatever it was they would otherwise wanted to do. Secondly, it was no cooler than 105 degrees that day. I’m talking sweltering heat that made you want to wear nothing but freshly frozen ice trays as clothing. Lastly, for some reason that to this day I’ll never remember, I decided to show up at Shea wearing a Hawaiian shirt. It was hot, but I wasn’t a rationally thinking 12 year old, so the heat had nothing to do with my decision making. No Mets jersey, no Mets t-shirt. Not even a Mets themed Hawaiian shirt. Just a standard, I’m 45 and single Hawaiian shirt. Be as it may, I was there early with my parents, and we walked around the field, snapping shots of everyone from Rey Ordonez to Al Leiter, Bobby Valentine to John Franco and Benny Agbayani to Jay Payton. But of course, knowing he was their biggest star, Mike Piazza was the last guy you were able to see, and the crowd around him was huge. Realizing this might be my only chance to ever get this close to him, I decided to make a daring dash towards him, sticking out my hand to shake his. The ushers hadn’t yet finished yelling at me to step back by the time the camera did its job, getting a perfect shot of both Mike and myself, shaking hands and both staring directly into the camera. Not only was I not supposed to get that close to the player, but Mike didn’t have to shake my hand, and certainly didn’t have to smile and look at the camera. But he did, and it provided a photograph and a memory I’ll always have.

5. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 26, 27 and 28, 2008

Shea Goodbye: The Last Weekend at Shea Stadium

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