Shea Stadium Says Goodbye on a Down Note

They didn’t get the MLB All-Star Game or a daily ESPN tribute to famous moments in their stadium’s history, but, with little national attention, the New York Mets closed the doors to the place they have called home since 1964.

Yankees fans may have had it a bit easier. By struggling to make a playoff push the entire season, many came to grips with the fact that come Sept. 21 the lights would be turned out for the final time with no postseason for the first time since the strike shortened season of 1994. 

The Mets had something to play for, even down to the final game of the season.  The regular season may be ending, but the team and its fans had hopes of a World Championship in their stadium’s farewell season.

It was also a great opportunity to take the “back page” away from the Yankees and upstage their final farewell to their respected stadium. But the final game at Shea Stadium left the New York Mets and their fans stunned, crushed, and in a state of utter disbelief. The scene was set.

Win on Sunday and play at least one more day.  Lose, and have to rely on the Chicago Cubs beating the Milwaukee Brewers to force a one-game playoff come Monday. 

With a pregame tribute to the stadium, it seemed completely unlikely that this would be the final day.

Well, those scenarios did not work out as planned.  The early afternoon rain pushed back the start time of the game until 2:00 pm, and the pre-game celebration was held off until after the final out of the regular season.

True, the game was a classic battle for the ages even without a positive outcome.  With a scoreless game through five innings and Carlos Beltran’s game tying two run home run in the bottom of the sixth, the Mets still seemed destined for victory and to give Shea Stadium another day to live on.

But back-to-back eighth inning home runs by the Florida Marlins off of a Mets bullpen that has been a problem point for the team all season sank the New York Mets playoff hopes for the second straight season, and closed Shea Stadium with a somber final chapter.

On the post-game, former Met Keith Hernandez put it best.

“It feels like I just got punched in the stomach.  I am in complete shock at what just happened here today,” said Hernandez.

He echoed the sentiments of many Mets fans, and a time of post-game celebration of the stadium was coupled with the complete disappointment of missing the playoffs again in similar fashion.

After the game, the celebration of the stadium honored Mets legends and the many memorable events at Shea.  Fans' memories played throughout the game, and classic footage of former ballplayers played on DiamondVision in a touching tribute.

But not everyone was in a celebratory mood. 

Geneseo student and lifelong Mets fan Chris Miner was in no mood to commemorate the end of Shea. 

“After the past two years, I hope Citi Field will bring the Mets greater success," said Miner.  "I could not stand to watch an on-field celebration after yet another depressing end to the season.” 

While the question could be endlessly debated about closing one of the most historic ballparks in the Bronx, one thing is for sure.  The Mets truly needed an upgrade from Shea Stadium. 

Citi Field promises to be a state-of-the-art facility that belongs in the pinnacle of the global marketplace that is New York City.

There have been two World Championships, once in a lifetime concerts, and memories that will stay with fans for a lifetime. But on this dark day, the time has come to “Shea Goodbye.”