Day later than I planned but it's time - the Tribute to Shea.
First stadium I was ever in, though I can't remember exactly how old I was. All I do remember was it was a Sunday, and a doubleheader (the kind they used to play all the time, back to back) and the team played the Phillies. It was the biggest place I had ever been in, and the field was perfect (though in hindsight, it probably wasn't). If I had to guess it was '71 or 72'. Sat in the Mezzanine and had a great day.
During the early '70's we would go to one game a season, and I got to see the likes of Tom Seaver on the mound. Always a great family day when we went to Shea (though I'm sure my parents would have rather done anything else). I also thought having Loge seats were the greatest things ever.
Sporadically went during the 80's - better things to do (or so I thought at the time!).
Then in the mid to late 90's my friends and I would purchase the six and seven packs to get to Shea and see a bunch of games. And some of those teams were not too good.
And for a good 4-5 year run, always went to Irish Night, and always got the special cap. One year green, one year with a shamrock. Then Irish Night became Irish Day and it wasn't the same. Something about 'the gene' I guess.
I was also there when Bobby Jones tossed a one hitter against the SF Giants to win the NLDS in 2000. Nosebleeds and I wouldn't trade them for anything. And my second son was on the way at time (and place his curse on the hated ones!)
My best memory of Shea is an easy one. The first game I ever brought my oldest son. He was 3 years old at the time, and the date was 9/21/2001, a Friday night. First game back in NY after the towers came down. It's both a happy and bittersweet memory. My boy hung in all game, we had great box seats (on the 1B side), and the place had an electric buzz. I can remember sitting in my seat before the game started and watching a plane take off from LGA. And I remember getting very sad. Then Jack asked me for another hot dog and I came back to reality. Mr. Piazza crushed a big one that night. And I got to see it with my son. That game is played on SNY from time to time and I always watch it.
In the last couple of years, I've gotten there once or twice. Kind of neat to see Citifield going up. But kind of sad to see the old ballpark go. It wasn't pretty, but it was the first. Now, the NY Daily News had pics of the dismantling that has begun.
Goodbye.
