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News: Mets to Honor William A. Shea
By Matthew Cerrone - Apr 3, 2008 1:40 pm

The Mets will recognize William A. Shea in a pre-game, on-field ceremony prior to the final Opening Day at Shea Stadium, during which the Shea family will unveil the Shea name above the left-field wall.

According to a team press release, “The circular logo with the name “Shea” will be located alongside the only retired numbers in the 45 seasons of Shea Stadium,” while Bill Shea Jr. will throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season.

117 Responses to “News: Mets to Honor William A. Shea”

  1. gbaked says:

    one day, I hope to get my name on a building that is going to be torn down.

  2. dave27 says:

    Classy gesture, but only if they feature it similarly in CitiField.

    • adropofvenom says:

      I would assume that’s the plan…..putting his name up there is the equivilant of like retiring a number, except of course that Shea has no number.

    • saltzy007 says:

      No offense, but there are a few guys that kinda come before him in terms of ‘Mets Significance’ that seem to be getting el shafto at Citi Field…

      I havent seen anything specifically for Seaver, Casey, Hodges, Murph or Piazza…nothing…not even naming the luxury boxes after them….

      The good news is that it looks like the Dodgers Stadium, and has a rotunda named after a player that never played for us….although I kinda like the idea behind the rotunda….just sayin….Lets take care of Seaver before we hook up Bil Shea, who 99% of us could trip over and still not recognize…

      • saltzy007 says:

        man…having bad day….looks like Ebbets Field, not Dodgers Stadium….I need a nap…

      • batsinthepelfrey says:

        considering the man has been dead for almost 20 years I doubt there is much chance of you tripping over him or recognizing him

        • saltzy007 says:

          You’re being serious? Uhh yea….I know hes very dead…

          Do you have any idea what he looks(ed) like? Be honest….no way….

        • batsinthepelfrey says:

          i thought he looked like one of those neon baseball characters on the outside of the stadium, no?

      • mackey_sassers_arm says:

        I thought I heard something about Murph having something named after him. I am not positive and may be making this up entirely, but I thought I heard something about the press box being named after him. Can anyone help me out here?

        And Piazza will get his time… he just needs to retire first. Maybe he can even take over for Darling, once he goes national in a few years.

        • krumbledkookie says:

          Don’t count on Darling going national… there are very few nationally broadcasted games, and I would think Darling would want to work more than that.

        • harrychiti says:

          Didn’t Darling already go national, doing the nlds on tbs (d’backs/cubs)?

          I am glad he came over from the Nats, as I hope most fans are; Darling is almost always on point (funny and knowledgable).

          you’re right that not too many games are nationally broadcast. when they are, it is morgan and miller, or buck and maccarver. i would love to see darling replace one (and all) of them. but even if he does one day, don’t you think it’d be like doc emerick or john davidson when hockey used to be nationally televised (on major networks, sorry versus); that is, they have a team that they cover for most of the season, and cover a few nationally televised games when called for.

          but maybe ronny’s making enough bank with those sovereign ads that he won’t do national except in the postseason (and we can hope those’ll be mets games)

      • JefJarrett says:

        Seaver has his number retired…….and is in the Mets HOF.

        Murph has a broadcasting box named after him….I believe.

        Shea was instrumental in bringing the Mets to town….I don’t see the big deal.

        • saltzy007 says:

          What does that have to do with Citi Field specifically?

          You guys maybe right about the Press Box…

          Either way, I have no issues with them honoring him. I’m just sayin while theyre at it….

        • DjDeF says:

          You gotta learn the history my friend. Shea is the ONLY reason we have the Mets in NY. He was the one who got the MLB to consider NY.

        • saltzy007 says:

          I know my history. Man, I cannot say boo without people tearing in. For the THIRD TIME…Go ahead and Honor him….sheesh….Im just sayin a statue of Seaver would be a nice touch too….

          BTW….to all of you that are saying he was the ‘Saving Grace of all things Mets’…..do you really think we wouldnt have had a NL team in this city by now? Rrrrright…..Im certain they would have left this huge vaccuum open forever with our 3.8 Mil tix sold last year…

          He may have been behind the ‘Mets’ specifiically….but one way or another there would be a NL team in this city playing in 2008 with or without Bill Shea….dont be ridiculous….

        • JefJarrett says:

          Look, I wasn’t jumping all over you – I was just trying to have some sort of discussion with you about what you had brought up. Although, perhaps your comment was meant for someone else.

          I agree with you 100000000% on honoring one of our OWN players before we go off and have a Jackie Robinson rotunda…….I don’t mind having the rotunda, as it is a part of NY history……..but call it something else. Anything from the Polo Grounds where we actually played? And you’re right……The statue of Jackie Robinson is way overboard…IMO

          But to say that nothing has been done for the other guys when there has been, and mentioning that all of those guys should have additional things before Shea is honored……is where I disagree with you.

        • gomets6091 says:

          well, technically Walter O’Malley and Horace Stoneham are the only reason we have the Mets in NY :)

        • yeeaa says:

          I don’t understand why the United States puts so much energy into honoring our Founding Fathers, wasn’t it inevitable that we would earn our independence at some point anyway?

        • saltzy007 says:

          I kiiiiinda see your point. But its not the same. Im saying there is an enormous appitite for baseball in this city, and with or without him there would be an NL team here, if not the ‘Mets’ specifically…

          Cant compare that with the establishment of a government….

        • gipper913 says:

          Look, they should honor Bill Shea – he was the catalyst for even having teh Mets in the first place.

          ALSO, at Citi, they should do more to recognize Mets history and less to recognize NY 9baseball) Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers history. I have no issue with teh Jackie rotunda – he transcends team uniforms and is particularly appropriate for the home of the NYC NL club.

          But, why not name things at Citi after Mets names and history? Why all the “Ebbets Club” and “The Orchard” an “Coogan’s Landing” stuff? Why noit name stuff after Seaver, Agee, Koos, Tug, Keith, Mookie, Bill freakin Shea, and so forth.

          To somebody’s question: yes, the radio booth is called the Bob Murphy Radio Broadcast Booth. As it ought to be called

        • m29w_12789 says:

          The TV Booth is named for Ralph Kiner. Yes Shea had the stadium named for him, because of his efforts to bring national league baseball back to NYC.
          I think the Mets should have the ring of honor that many teams in different sports have around the stadium- example Pittsburgh Pirates, Dallas Cowboys. They could do that at Citi-Field- have Shea’s name their with retired player like Seaver etc. I think Jerry Koosman should have his number retired as well.

      • adropofvenom says:

        Sorry, but that’s an extremely ignorant comment.

        There wouldn’t be a Mets Franchise if not for William A. Shea. Thus, it’s impossible for anybody to be more significant to this franchise’s history, as there wouldn’t be a franchise without him.

        • wilson1 says:

          Exactly. The new stadium should also be called Shea. Instead it will be named after a bank. Completely soulless.

        • dave27 says:

          Still, that extra $20MM a year can buy some very effective middle relief.

        • saltzy007 says:

          Or a #1 lock down Left Handed SP for the next 5 years…

          Name the thing C*ck Licker Stadium for all I care. Thats for the Mets to decide. Not us. Just win. Who CARES what the name of the stadium is so long as they keep getting quality players and having good teams year in year out…

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          I have been to a ton of baseball games in 12-15 different big league stadiums. I can not remember one time where the name of the stadium I was sitting in effected my enjoyment in any way, shape, or form. If the name of the stadium can help put $20 into the payroll, why on earth would anyone care?

      • Roach2 says:

        Umm, Seaver, Casey and Gil have their numbers retired…

      • Ferraro41 says:

        Considering there may not even *be* a Mets without Bill Shea, I’d say he’s pretty darn significant in the grand scheme of things.

      • jamie says:

        Bill Shea is basically responsible for the Mets existence…not really anyone who should come before him in terms of Mets signifigance.

      • Tidewater says:

        I agree. It’s weird how much of an homage this new stadium is to another team’s history.

        • gipper913 says:

          Very weird – they even snuick some Ny 9baseball) Giants names in there for some of Citi field’s features/amenities. What the heck? The mets have nearly a half century of history now – and the franchise should honor it!

      • cpai76 says:

        Seaver, Hodges, and Stengel all ahd their #s retired, they were taken Care of, and who care if anyone knows what Bill Shea Looked like, he is one of the Big Reason the Mets became a team he was put in charge of Bringing a National League Team Back to NY after the Dodgers and Giants left for Sunny California. The recognition is well deserved and should carry over to Citi Field.

        If your going to make a statement know what you are talking about.

      • hsimms says:

        No Bill Shea – No Mets. Simple.

        If you don’t believe Bill Shea was the single most important mover in getting us the Mets, except maybe Joan Payson who put up the dinero, spill it.

    • Charlie says:

      they have to…don’t forget, if they were going to only honor him at shea, they could just have left things along. it is called WILLIAM A. SHEA Stadium, afterall.

  3. telljimmyrollins says:

    This makes no sense….they should place the name at Citifield

  4. DaWrightStuff says:

    Jamie Moyer just got knocked around in the first inning… Nats up 5 – 0

  5. RomanWarHelmet says:

    Saltzy…The TV Booth will be named after Ralph Kiner, the Radio after Bob Murphy, Seaver, Hodges and Stengel will still have their numbers retired and will still be placed in plain sight to the playing field…Piazza has not retired yet so let’s wait until that happens before we erect a statue…Why recognize Bill Shea…if it was not for him there would be no Mets…so that is pretty important to me..hence the Stadium being named after him…As for the Jackie Robinson rotunda…it’s a museum about an American War Hero and the man who broke the racial line in baseball…to name a piece of a stadium after him does not bother me..I understand that point slightly but the rest of your complaint is off base.

    • saltzy007 says:

      If I was wrong on the press booth…again, I apoligize. Understand, I have no issues with the honoring Shea(both the man and the stadium)…just sayin shouldnt the greatest player in the history of the team get some love too? Retiring his # and having him in the Mets HOF have zero do to with Citi Field. Are you guys saying any retired # for a team that gets moved to the new place ‘honors’ the player? What was the team suppsed to do? Not carry over the retired numbers?

      • DaveMagadanFan says:

        What do you suggest they do? Re-retire the numbers? Send Seaver a case of booze?

        • saltzy007 says:

          Statue would be nice…

          Naming a Luxury Box…

          You havent been to any stadiums that honor greats in other ways than retiring numbers? The Cubs just gave Banks a statue….

        • DaveMagadanFan says:

          statues of all of them? seems a bit excessive. most teams, in sports in general, have multiple retired numbers and maybe one statue, which is what the mets will have. plus maybe the mets hall of fame will be a bit more expansive than a few pictures outside the restaurant? not sure of that, has anyone head about plans for this?

        • harrychiti says:

          maybe when they move, they could send the number to Great American Ballpark, and put up zachry’s number 40 instead. retire grant’s name while their at it.

        • saltzy007 says:

          Nah….If Murph and the crew will have the booth named after them then just a statue of Seaver would suffice…Piazza will have his # retired….and honestly…..as long as the ‘other guys’ are recognized somehere in the place thats fine. My point is I dont think Seaver is getting enough love more than anythig else….

          Ill bet he gets one within 10-20 years one way or another….(or more to point when he kicks el bucket……)

      • Charlie says:

        you mean they should retire #5 even before Wright retires?

  6. jamie says:

    When word came out they were tearing down Shea, we renamed our (then) new kitten Little Bill Shea in his honor. True story.

  7. plasto says:

    Nice gesture for Shea, and musch deserved.

    Can we retire 17 now?

  8. jcervone7 says:

    I don’t know, a statues isn’t just something you put up. To deserve that honor you have to be truly great both on and off the field. I’m too young to judge if some of the older guys from the ’60s and ’70s have reached that point; but I wouldn’t say anyone from recent times has.

    • jcervone7 says:

      Well, maybe Benny Agbayani.

      • gomets6091 says:

        hahahaha I literally laughed out loud at that. I love Benny.

        but seriously, I’d give one to Seaver. The Phillies have one for Robin Roberts, who was great, but no Tom Seaver, and Seaver was the guy who gave credibility to the franchise pretty much single-handedly.

  9. GeorgeThomas says:

    Of course the retired numbers will be brought over to Citi Field. They’re NY Mets retired numbers, not Shea Stadium retired numbers. As for Piazza, let’s not get crazy. No way should he get any kind of honor before Carter and/or Hernandez. What would we honor Piazza for anyway? Running away from Clemens? Or how about making the last out of the 2000 World Series?

    • jamie says:

    • DaWrightStuff says:

      wow…

    • saltzy007 says:

      Ill be the first to admit that its hard forme to really be attached to Piazza(for me just cause we didnt win the whole thing with him, and thats all I care about)…

      But retiring #’s(and that sorta thing) are reserved for players that had legendary individual seaons for a team. I love the ‘86 team more than any other in history, but there is NO WAY that Kid or Keith had better ‘careers’ as Mets players. NOT EVEN CLOSE Piazza put up the greatest numbers in the history of the position while with the Mets. He’ll go into the HOF as a Met.

      • gomets6091 says:

        I agree about Piazza, but what about Darryl? I know he left a bitter taste in a lot of mouths, but the fact is he’s still #1 in every power category in the Mets record books, and will be for at least the next few years, and is arguably the best offensive player in team history (consider that what he did came in a bad offensive era vs. Piazza at the height of the “live-ball”/steroid era.)

        • saltzy007 says:

          I’ll post this twice(one for you one for the Doc suggestion below)….and I’m no saint. Do you REALLY think a statue to one (or 2) ENORMOUS Cokeheads is a good idea? I know it should be about on field, and Ty Cobb was bastard and yadda yadda..

          But when your son askes why we let them both go if they were so great you wanna tell em it was cause they let their lives completely fall apart, basically ruining their careers? Ummm…nah…

          I cant honor that. Sorry. At least Seaver we can just say the Organization was ran by morons…

        • gomets6091 says:

          WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA slow down there cowboy. I wasn’t talking about a statue, I was just talking about retiring their numbers. Yikes…..I’d hate to see what that statue would look like (maybe Doc and Darryl leaning over a mirror with a straw in their hands?)

        • saltzy007 says:

          LOL….Fabulous….

          How about a few posters and murals or something…

          Outside of their off field…umm…’indiscretions’….I just dont consider either to be ‘great’….

          Im just sayin in 100 years if Citi is still kicking, you dont think we would have had 10 Doc’s and 10 Strawesque type players…

          I dont wanna become The Rangers who retire popcorn vendor numbers. It should be reserved for ALL ALL Time Greats. Not guys that were good on championship teams, or guys that were just the best guy on a meh team(Piazza excluded. Hes the greatest catcher ever)….

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          If we are not going to retire doc and darryl’s numbers because of thir cocaine issues (which we shouldn’t) we should also remember keith’s cocaine issues from the same time. He was no saint.

        • saltzy007 says:

          I’m saying its gotta be one or the other. Not both.

          Either a ‘Casey Stangel’ type who gave the team an identity…

          Or an All-Time Great….

          I’m willing to overlook the off field stuff if your other contributions outweigh them(Mickey Mantle)….

          I dont think either make the cut in either area, PLUS they had big time issues…

        • saltzy007 says:

          Well….Both are great too…we just dont have one of those…

          Like a Babe Ruth type….

        • gomets6091 says:

          I see your point, and I go back and forth on the issue a lot. In a lot of ways, I think the only time we should retire numbers should be if the guy makes the hall-of-fame and if he was a great player for the Mets (i.e., no Spahn or Mays retired numbers). That takes care of Seaver, and will take care of Piazza in a few years. No argument there. But what about Carter? He was an integral part of the best team in Mets history, and is in the HOF. Should his # be retired? And if it is, you almost have to retire Straw and Gooden and Tex, because they were just as integral and in ‘86 were all better players. And if we retire their numbers, how can we not retire Koosman’s number? And then next thing you know, we’re gonna be like the Yankees, issuing guys numbers in the 50s and 60s.

        • saltzy007 says:

          Unless I’m wrong, your just restating my point…

          Yea…ONLY the best. The Yankees happen to have a boat load of them, so they have retired their #’s….

          I have an issue with retiring Carter(and I love the Kid) if only cause we are gonna have a stadium modeled after another teams old stadium, a rotunda named after a non-former player…and THEN a retired number for a guy thats in the HOF on another team. C’mon already…Its just too much. We all remember ‘86. We all will, Its the TEAM that was great as a unit. I dont think we have to honor every great player from it.

          I wouldnt protest if they retired Mex(im guessing thats what you meant, unless the 1st baseman for the Braves is getting his # retired) or Kid, just saying I wouldnt if it was up to me…

        • gomets6091 says:

          haha I can’t believe I wrote Tex….of course, I wouldn’t complain if we were retiring his number in 25 years after he replaces Delgado next year!

          I mostly agree with you about the number retirement issue: the only people I am conflicted about are Straw, Gooden, and Koos, because they were all extremely good ballplayers who had their best seasons as Mets, and were essential elements to the 2 WS teams. For example, nobody is debating Seaver, but what if he got injured his first year in Cincy and his career fell apart, and he never got close to 300 wins. Would he be retired. Just compare what Seaver and Gooden did as Mets:

          Seaver – 182-107, .630%, 2.47, 2334 K, 2718 IP
          Gooden – 154-81, .655%, 3.04, 1835 K, 2128 IP

          Seaver’s better, but not by THAT much.

    • jcervone7 says:

      What a hater! Did you forget how good he was in his time with the Mets? His 220 HR and 655 RBI didn’t help the team? What about his .542 Slugging Pct? I won’t argue whether or not he should have his number retired but you make sound like he just wasted 8 years of our time. On offense, he was the best catcher of all time.

      • GeorgeThomas says:

        In the same amount of years as a Met Strawberry had 252 homerst, 733 RBI, and a .520 Slugging % and HE WON A WORLD SERIES, but I don’t think his # should be retired either. Retiring #’s should be reserved for players who had an impact on their team beyond what stats they put up. No one had more of that kind of impact on the Mets than Carter did (aside from Seaver). He made them into winners by the sheer force of his hard-nosed play and positive, winning attitude. Half the time Piazza had that blank stare on his face like he didn’t even know or care what was happening around him.

        • zen says:

          carter had two good years with the mets. he was known as a primadonna who showed up the other team. he was the father of the curtain calls. he was also on a great team that should have won a lot more: 1987 and 1988 come to mind.

          piazza had 5 hall of fame years with the mets and led a pretty good team to the playoffs twice and a world series in a classy manner.

        • saltzy007 says:

          Great…just give me an objective way to measure ‘an impact on a team outside of their stats’ and we can get right on that for ya….

          I can already see the #44 Milledge number in LF. Ahhh….MAN did he have an impact beyond his numbers on last years team….

    • Frank Taveras says:

      Wow

      Sorry, but Piazza was better than Keith and Gary. It wasn’t his fault that the starting outfield for the Mets was Benny Agbayani, Jay Payton and Timo Perez.

      And I am old enough to remember all of them play and 86.

      • gipper913 says:

        LOL – I don’t think so. Gary and Keith were both better defensively, better leaders, and Keith was a better pure hitter.

        • zen says:

          keith was not a better hitter than piazza.

        • GeorgeThomas says:

          Not to mention, Gary and Keith both won.

        • gipper913 says:

          Zen – Keith was a better hitter. Not a better bopper, but a better hitter.

          Hey, I’d retire both of their numbers.

        • zen says:

          ketih best avg years were .344, .321, .310, .309, 306

          piazza: .362, .346, .336, .328, .324

          that doesn’t even consider power or rbi’s which isn’t close.

        • saltzy007 says:

          Gipper….baby….you know I love you….

          ARE YOU NUTS?!?….

          The Greatest Hitting Catcher EVER….its not even debatable…

          Vs. a nice contact hitting always will be known for his incredible defensive ability 1st baseman….

          NO WAY….Piazza hit for avg AND power…

          Mind you, Im not even a Piazza guy, but the bottom line is at one of 9 positions he had the greatest seasons anyone has EVER been played in that position, all in our colors. Keith never did anything remotely close to that….

        • gipper913 says:

          Alright, alright… it’s probably just a generational thing and I just feel more attachment to the 80s teams than the Piazza era.

          Like I said, I’d retire both guys’ numbers. I’d do Keith first since he is older…

        • saltzy007 says:

          So you like doing the older guys before you move on to the younger ones….

          Gotcha…

          Ever take on both at the same time…..

        • GeorgeThomas says:

          Saltzy, check your facts. Piazza’s best year “in our colors” was 2000 when he hit .324 with 38 HR and 113 RBI. After that his averages were .300, .280, .286, .266, and .251. Piazza had “the greatest seasons anyone ever had” as a catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

        • zen says:

          so we should skip piazza’s

          1998: .348 23hr 76rbi and 1999: .303 40hr 124rbi

        • saltzy007 says:

          I actually lauged out loud here…

          His best season with us was .324 38HR 113RBI….man, why did we keep this bum?

          THANK GOD he improved on his .303, 40HR 124RBI CRAPFEST from ‘99!!!

          You are a MOOOORRRRONNN!!!!

        • GeorgeThomas says:

          Again, Saltzberg. Check your stats. 2000 was his best overall year for us with his .398 OBP and .614 SLG.

          You tried to make the point that he had the best years of any catcher in history while on the Mets, when that’s just not true. His best years by far were on the Dodgers.

          You, sir, are a moron.

    • zen says:

      gooden is more deserving than any of those guys. piazza is more deserving than carter or hernandez. the latter two only had 3 or 4 good seasons and were on great teams. piazza was a great player on okay team that over-achieved.

  10. Wheelhouse19 says:

    Phillies are pathetic. That pitching staff has more holes than Seals face.

    We’re supposed to be worried about Pedro? The Phillies have literally one pitcher thats worth taking the mound.

    • backinbusiness says:

      amusingly, as pointed out on beerleaguer, gameday was calling moyer’s 79mph “fastball” a change.

  11. dancran says:

    when are we going to find out how the rotation shapes up? I want to know who is pitching opening day and when Santana will start at shea.

    • RomanWarHelmet says:

      It was announced yesterday…its Ollie Perez

    • Wheelhouse19 says:

      Perez is throwing opening day.

      Santana will throw Friday or Saturday vs Milwaukee, barring any rain outs.

  12. jaxson says:

    Leave it to Mike & The Dog to spend 2 days talking about Joba’s fist pump. I’m really done this time.

    Yes – The Phillies have bigger concerns than the Mets. I’m just not sure when I should start rooting against the Nationals.

    • backinbusiness says:

      here come the phils, oh well.

      • Jaded1983 says:

        Nats need to get out of this inning with the score tied at least….

      • gomets6091 says:

        This game is giving me Vietnam-like flashbacks of all the times last year the Mets couldn’t hold a big lead against either of these teams…

  13. randytate says:

    I think I will go seek out my 11 year old son so I can have a less juvenile conversation than what’s going on here.

  14. dave27 says:

    The Mets Hall of Fame will be nothing but a joke to me until Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Howard Johnson, John Franco and many others who are long retired are inducted. Literally everyone associateed with the 69 Mets is in there – about 8 players, the owner, GM, manager, announcers, grounds crew…and yet 3 only players from 86 – Mookie, Carter, and Keith. It’s like the Mets themselves have forgotten they even have it.

  15. wolverine193 says:

    The Nats don’t deserve to win between blowing their lead and not scoring with the bases loaded and no out against Old Man River

  16. MDMetfan says:

    I think 1969 is recognized so much because it really came out of nowhere. The underdog, laughing stock team…the misfits…all that stuff. Probably most of you weren’t around back then to realize what a big deal it really was. 86 was great but also I think a bit tainted (only in terms of “feel good” public relations) with what happened to Doc and Straw, the idea that the Mets were cocky, etc. Not a lot of underdog related to that team. Not that it matters to me. A win is a win and we surely are due for another.

    With regard to Shea…. a very good move and deserved…no team without him

    The Mets need to also recognize the Giants the “other” NY team. Enough of this Dodger stuff already. I support the Jackie Robinson stuff in general principle for what he did for the sport but not as part of Mets history. He is a Dodger, let them honor him. He never played for the Mets, so I think it’s way overdone.

    And finally why is Billy Joel the last concert? Should they try to get McCartney and hook up the last of the Beatles with Shea’s farewell. A lot more nostalgia since she was the first arena sized concert and theyvwere the Beatles for goodness sake.

    • gipper913 says:

      MDMetfan:

      They ARE honoring the NY (baseball) Giants at Citi. They are calling the outfield area “Coogan’s Landing”, etc.

      They are NOT honoring Mets history, Go figure.

      • MDMetfan says:

        Thanks for the info. I didn’t realize there was any reference to the Giants. As for not honoring the Mets own history…you can only shake your head…but hey it the Mets were talking about here so maybe in a very weird way they are being consistent. lol

  17. BaltimoreMets says:

    Hahaha – are people seriously discussing the validity of Piazza’s career as a Met and having a subsequent discussion on whether his number should be retired?

    That’s crazy talk folks, the guy was the face of the franchise during one of the most successful periods in team history. He is one of the best catchers of all time and he had, as someone else said, 5 HOF seasons as a Met.

    I’m only 25, so I only saw the tailend of the 1980’s teams and therefore can’t really comment outside of the books I’ve read, stories I’ve heard, etc. However, to say that Piazza does not deserve whatever accolades that come his way is absolutely insane. Winning a championship is not necessary in order to be appreciated by a fanbase. If that was the case, then there are a lot of ballplayers who would not get the recognition that they so richly deserve.

    • GeorgeThomas says:

      I’ll always remember his “I’m not gay” press conference too. (sniff)

      • BaltimoreMets says:

        Evidently, you have no appreciation for contribution to the franchise. That’s your opinion, but I soundly disagree with you.

        • GeorgeThomas says:

          Your frame of reference is way too small to comment on my appreciation for anyone’s contribution to the franchise. I’ve got 15 years on you and have been a Mets fan since before you were even born. How do you say you saw the tail end of the 80’s teams when you were 5 years old when they lost to the Dodgers in 1988? You grew up with the lousy 90’s teams so I can understand you thinking Piazza was the greatest thing you ever saw, but when you put his Mets career in the same context as those who came before him, it pales in comparison. Carter was a much better all-around catcher than Piazza ever was. He didn’t have the average, but I’d take him in the clutch over Piazza any day. Plus Piazza coudln’t touch Carter’s defense and ability to handle a pitching staff. And most of all, Carter was a leader. Piazza was more content to sit in the background and be led.

        • saltzy007 says:

          I’ve posted plenty on this thread already so Ill make this brief…

          Outside of the pitcher position(and maybe the catcher) if you are the GREATEST at either offense or defense at your position EVER….then you get your number retired…and you make the HOF…

          Again, Im NOT a Piazza guy, but ya know what champ…neither your or my subjectivity matter one ioda…..Its not up to you to decide that hes ‘doesnt mean as much to you, therefore he shouldnt be honored’….its how his numbers stack up against history of the sport at his position(which has a wee bit more than 15 years on you) are what matter….

          You lose….

          His # gets retired….

        • GeorgeThomas says:

          Agreed, his # gets retired… by the Dodgers.

          Again, check your stats.

        • saltzy007 says:

          BTW you YUTZ…

          In all liklihood they will both retire his number…is that OK with you?

          And dont tell me its a bad idea, cause Nolan Ryan’s # is retired for all the teams he dominated with, and I’ve never heard a complaint….

        • GeorgeThomas says:

          Yutz? I knew your name was Saltzberg. Hahahaha…

          BTW, don’t be afraid to spell-check before you hit submit.

  18. metsin080910 says:

    Nice.

  19. wilson1 says:

    It’s embarrassing that the new stadium will be called citifield. The Yankees aren’t selling their rights. I’ve been a Met fan for 30 years and I’m sorry but it is just really without class.