60th Anniversary of Shea Stadium opener
“[Shea Stadium] will be the kind of ballpark that will make a man want to return and bring his wife and children the next time.” -- Rick Praeger, Shea Stadium chief engineer
In 1960 — when Shea Stadium was nothing more than a blueprint — Rick Praeger, Shea Stadium chief engineer, stated his goal:
“[Shea Stadium] will be the kind of ballpark that will make a man want to return and bring his wife and children the next time.”
Four years later on April 17, 1964 the New York Mets christened the state-of-the-art ballpark when they hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates. Casey Stengel handed the ball to Jack Fisher for the opener.
“I can remember walking out during batting practice, out over the right field wall you could see the people coming in by the hordes from the subway and the train. I remember the first pitch. My catcher was Jesse Gonder. I said to him, ‘I’d like to have this baseball. So when I throw it, if he doesn’t hit it, throw it over to the dugout for me.’ I threw it. Jesse caught it. It was a strike. And right away a guy from Cooperstown comes out of the dugout for the ball. I didn’t get it. But I know where it is. It’s in the Hall of Fame.” - Jack FisherFisher will be back in Queens this afternoon, this time at Citi Field, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Mets host the Pittsburgh Pirates.
BROADCAST: 04.17.1964
A couple generations have now passed since the New York Mets last played a game at Shea Stadium and nearly two decades since the stadium collapsed on itself, ending a 45-year run of Amazin’ baseball.
Shea Stadium had so many unique characteristics both inside and out. From the low-flying jets coming and going at nearby LaGuardia airport, the one-time state-of-the-art scoreboard, the bowl shaped configuration (and how the open-ended design created some mighty swirling winds), the steep seating configuration in the upper deck, the original blue-and-orange confetti-like speckles that covered the exterior, Joe Pignatano’s tomato garden in the Mets bullpen, the bullpen golf carts, the Home Run Apple, Jane Jarvis on the organ and Karl Ehrhardt in the seats.
But by 2008 the common refrain among Mets fans was, “Shea Stadium is a dump, but it’s our dump.”
So why do we have such a deep emotionally connection to a big hunk of cement and steel? In his book The Last Days of Shea, the late Dana Brand wrote:
I know that Shea doesn’t need to be mourned. But I will miss it terribly. I remember when it was young, when it opened beside the World’s Fair … Shea was hopeful, with its big and bright modernity. I love Shea. I can’t help it. It’s been part of my life.
I don’t want a new stadium because it won’t contain my memories. Part of the reason I go to Shea is to visit my memories … When I go to Shea, I feel as if I am visiting my father and several long-lost versions of my daughter. I visit all of the different eras of my life and all of the different teams and players that gave me so much happiness as I grew up and grew older. So many pieces of my life are connected by the fundamentally unchanging experience of a game at Shea. So much of me is here, in this thing that can be torn down but can’t be replaced. I will miss it as I miss a parent or grandparent. I know it has to go. I would have loved to have been an old man in these seats, under these lights.
PHOTO GALLERY
RELATED CONTENT
July 7, 1963: This is Shea Stadium. The Mets may play in it someday.
December 18, 1963: Officials say Shea Stadium will be ready for opener in April
April 12: Work being rushed on final touches to Shea Stadium
April 13: Stengel and Mets thrilled by visit to Shea Stadium
April 14: Shea Stadium gets traffic plan but worst is feared
1964: SHEA STADIUM
The National League defeated the American League, 7-4, in the All-Star Game at Shea Stadium.
Ron Hunt made history as the first New York Mets player to start in an All-Star Game. He went 1-for-3 as the starting second baseman.
Jim Bunning threw a Perfect Game on Father’s Day against the Mets on June 21, 1964. Bunning struck out 10 Mets.
The Mets and Giants play 23 innings at Shea Stadium. San Francisco would eventually win the game, 8-6.
SHEA STADIUM FIRSTS
BATTER: Dick Schofield, Pittsburgh. Popped up to Mets 2B Larry Burright off pitcher Jack Fisher
METS AB: Tim Harkness. Grounded out 6-3
HIT: April 17 - Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh; second-inning home run off Jack Fisher
METS HITS: April 17 - Tim Harkness, third-inning single off Bob Friend
SINGLE: April 17 - Bob Bailey, Pittsburgh, second inning off Jack Fisher
DOUBLE: April 17 - Ron Hunt, Mets, fourth inning off Bob Friend
TRIPLE: April 18 - Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh, sixth inning off Jerry Hinsley
METS TRIPLE: May 8 - Jesse Gonder vs. St. Louis, first inning off Ernie Broglio
HOME RUN: April 17 - Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh, second inning off Jack Fisher
METS HR: April 23 - Ron Hunt vs. Chicago, eighth inning off Dick Ellsworth
RUN: April 17 - Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh, second inning
METS RUN April 17 - Ron Hunt vs. Pittsburgh, fourth inning
RBI: April 17 - Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh, second inning
METS RBI: April 17 - Jesse Gonder vs. Pittsburgh, fourth inning
STOLEN BASE: April 19 - Joe Christopher, Mets, sixth inning vs. Pittsburgh
STRIKEOUT: April 17, - Roberto Clemente, Pirates, first inning by Jack Fisher
WALK: April 17 - Jim Hickman vs. Pittsburgh, second inning by Bob Friend
HBP: April 17 - Jim Hickman vs. Pittsburgh, fourth inning by Bob Friend
ERROR: April 17 - Bill Mazeroski, Pittsburgh, sixth inning
METS VICTORY: April 19 vs. Pittsburgh (Won, 6-0) WP-Al Jackson; LP-Bob Veale
SHUTOUT: April 19 vs. Pittsburgh (Won, 6-0) WP- Al Jackson; LP- Bob Veale
1964: METS TIMELINE
JANUARY
January 3-4, 1964: The Mets officially move their baseball and office equipment out of the Polo Grounds.
January 6, 1964: The New York Mets open ticket offices for advance ticket sale for the 1964 season at Shea Stadium. The New York Times reported, “Although it produced no overwhelming crush, the opening did result in an encouraging turnout.”
April 16, 1964: Holy Water from the Gowanus Canal, which passes near Ebbets Field, the Dodgers' old home, and Holy Water from the Harlem River where it flows past the Polo Grounds, the former longtime ballpark of the Giants and the Mets' home for the past two seasons is used to christened Shea Stadium. The ballpark's namesake, Bill Shea, credited with bringing the National League back to New York, pours the water from two bottles, blessing the Flushing Meadow structure on the eve of its debut.
April 17, 1964: After spending the first two years of their existence at the Polo Grounds, the Mets play their first game at Shea Stadium in front of 50,312 fans in Queens. The Amazins' drop the stadium opener to Pittsburgh, 4-3.
April 19, 1964: The Mets record their first win at Shea Stadium as Al Jackson shuts out the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-0.
MAY
May 6, 1964: The Mets host their first night game at Shea Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds. Larry MacPhail, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. and Mets Chairman M. Donald Grant flip the switch on the new lights. The Mets fall to the Reds, 12-4.
May 31, 1964: Doubleheader vs. Giants ends with 8-6 Giants winning the nightcap in 23 innings. A few thousand from packed house of 57,037 are left at the finish, eating giveaway hot dog rolls with the concession stands long since closed.
May 31, 1964: The Mets execute an unusual two-man 6-6-3 triple play in the top of the 14th inning when shortstop Roy McMillan catches Orlando Cepeda's line drive for the first out, tags second base to double off Jesus Alou for the second out, and then throws to first baseman Ed Kranepool to catch Willie Mays off first base for the final out. It marks the second triple play in team history.
JUNE
June 21, 1964: On Father's Day, Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning becomes the first modern pitcher to toss a no-hitter in both leagues when he throws a perfect game to beat the Mets, 6-0.
JULY
July 7, 1964: Shea Stadium plays host to the 1964 All-Star Game. It was the first (and only) midsummer classic played at the ballpark. Mets second baseman Ron Hunt makes franchise history as the first Mets starter in an ASG. He goes 1-for-3. The National League wins 7-4 on Johnny Callison's dramatic three-run walk-off home run.
AUGUST
August 5, 1964: Wire service reports claim Casey Stengel will be fired and replaced by San Francisco Giants manager, Alvin Dark. The Mets denied the rumors.
NOVEMBER
November 17, 1964: Yogi Berra signs a two-year contract with the Mets as a player-coach, earning $35,000 per season. Berra collects two hits in nine at-bats before retiring as a player.
November 23, 1964: The Mets purchase Warren Spahn from the Braves. Spahn pitches one-half season for the Mets, recording a 4-12 record in twenty appearances before he was traded to the San Francisco Giants.