I was at Shea stadium for the last time last night. It was so weird to walk away from the place on my way out of the disastrous loss to the Cubs. I realize that I didn’t grow up in New York and don’t have memories of being led into the stadium as a little tyke like I do of Three Rivers Stadium, but in my three and a half years as a New Yorker I have grown to love that dump. I grew up in Pittsburgh and Shea reminds me of the concrete columned, no frills stadiums that were prevalent in baseball up until the 2000’s; the stadiums that I grew up going to and watching on TV. At that time, the point of going to the stadium was to watch the game. Now there are increased luxury boxes, fan interactive experiences and gourmet food stands. From a business perspective, I realize the need to adapt to the times and I am excited to see games at Citi Field next year, but, at the same time, it’s sad to see the end of an era.
In my short time in New York, I ended up going to my fair share of games at Shea but in that time I have compiled my own list of memories from the places. Among them:
-Opening Day 2006 when we had nosebleed seats and a bunch of drunk goombas started fighting in the upper deck and one of them fell creating a domino effect which ended with my friend face first three rows in front of where our seats were. I will never forget the look on her first when she finally landed and looked up at me, beer everywhere personal belongings spread all over the section.
-Pedro’s first home game of the 2006 season when he hit three batters. He got a hit himself that night and, despite the frigid temperature I couldn’t help but crack up watching him dance around second base like a little kid.
-The Orioles/Mets interleague game when I scored sweet seats from work and was close enough to first base to see the eye black on Brian Roberts.
-Running into Cole Hamels on the subway after the Mets/Phillies games in July.
-Taking the LIRR to the game and laughing so hard because the train was packed and we were trying to drink our beers while pressed into some random guys’ back.
I also won’t forget the corn dogs, Miller Lite’s, the cowbell man or the 7 train home. Shea, according to the city of New York, you’re not as nostalgic as the House that Ruth built, but I sure will miss you.
