My Top 10 Shea Stadium Memories

Had things turned out differently on Sunday, this easily could have skyrocketed higher on the list, but I actually debating leaving last weekend completely off following the disappointment I experienced during the 4-2 loss to Florida, ending the 2008 season for the Mets as well as the 44 year lifespan of their ballpark. That being said, I made it a point to drive home from school (Syracuse) early Friday morning, knowing that nothing was going to keep me from being part of the last possible games ever played at a place that as much a part of me as anything else. I’ve been going to Shea since I was five (so my father tells me), and between the ages of five and 21, I’ve certainly seen a lot (as this list proves). But I had never seen a clinching game, whether it was for a playoff spot or of a playoff series. The Mets had given me that opportunity, heading into the final weekend of the season tied with the Brewers for the Wild Card, while only trailing the first place Phillies by a game. Three games stood between me, my team and the playoffs. Also standing in my way was the worst weekend of weather I can remember. It rained seemingly non stop from the time I left Friday morning, through my drive home Sunday night. Incredibly, the rain seemed to break at the right time each day, giving the Mets and Marlins a chance to play some baseball. Friday night may not have been a wash weather-wise, but it certainly was on the field, as the Mets offense didn’t show. They lost 6-1, and combined with wins by both Philly and Milwaukee, the Mets would wake up Saturday in a do-or-die situation, needing a win to extend their season. Just as they had a year before, they came through, thanks almost solely to the left arm of ace Johan Santana. Santana, pitching with what we now know was a torn meniscus in his knee, on only three days rest, delivered a complete game, three hit shut-out. The Phillies clinched the east, but the Brewers lost, putting the Mets back into a tie with them for the wild card. This set up a win-and-in situation, meaning a win Sunday would at the very least force a 1 game playoff, but as had happened a year earlier, it wasn’t to be, as the offense didn’t show again, and the bullpen did what it became best known for doing all year, allowing two late inning home runs, giving Florida the win, and the Brewers a playoff birth following their win that day. In what I can only describe as the most awkward feeling I’ve ever had in a ballpark, the Mets then began their post-game, Shea Goodbye celebration. 50,000 plus fans had stayed behind, despite having just watched their season end. The Mets celebrated their teams history in their ballpark, bringing back 45 former players to take part in the festivities. From Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza, to the first Shea Stadium appearance of Dwight Gooden in a Mets jersey since 1994, to folk heroes like Robin Ventura and Cleon Jones, for 45 minutes you were almost able to forget about the gut-wrenching end to the season, and just embrace the teams past, while enjoying a final smile inside Shea. Personally, I couldn’t bring myself to leave, staying in my seats about an hour after the game ended, just thinking about all the years and all the memories I was lucky enough to experience there. I finally left and Ian and I took some pictures outside the ballpark before finally heading home around 7:45 that night. The ceremony probably ended sometime between

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