On March 16, 1961, the state of New York approved the bond issue that would lead to the construction of a 55,000-seat stadium in Queens, New York City. The new ballpark would be named Shea Stadium after William A. Shea, the lawyer who was instrumental in bringing the National League Mets to New York. Shea Stadium was home to the Mets from 1964-2008 as well as the New York Jets from 1964-1983.
I was there once. I mostly remember how hot and humid it was that evening and how that didn’t combine well with my trip back to my Manhattan hotel room.
Oof… yeah, not really the fondest of memories, I suppose, but then again, lots of baseball memories become associated with heat and humidity.
I was there once for a Cubs-Mets April weekday matinee in the early 80’s; the parking lot was so empty, we thought we’d screwed up the start time.
Those were the days! (And nice NL East baseball)
i think it was that continental league that never happened that made the mets happen; big factor anyway. I think Mr. Shea was a big backer of that league and expansion had to happen. I read that somewhere some time but can’t remember the details. Mild forms of amnesia , however are not all that bad.
Amnesia does have some benefits, for sure. However, if you ever recover those memories, please share! I’m curious and would love to know.