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The Mets will host the final Opening Day at Shea Stadium today when they play the Phillies at 1 pm.
For complete coverage, read the Bergen Record, New York Post, Daily News, Newsday, New York Times, again Newsday, and the Star-Ledger, in which Dan Graziano talks with Howie Rose, Howard Johnson, David Wright and quotes me as saying:
“There are some nook-and-cranny things that make it your home, but those things will always exist in my mind.”
…i hear a lot from the press about how the press box is too small, among a variety of other complaints, so i continued on to explain to graziano, speaking about things that may bother fans, .e., things that will not be missed, saying…
“From the fan’s point of view, it’s a place where the seats are really small, it’s tough to get around, you’re waiting three innings to go to the bathroom or grab a hot dog … those kinds of things are really irritating.”
…which is why i am sad to see the historical landmark go, the place where such special memories occurred…however, i am not all too sad to see the physical building be replaced by a new building, which will begin a series of new memories in a place that will be much more comfortable to watch them from…
…to me, it’s like saying goodbye to an old friend who served a wonderful yet specific role in my life for a specific set of time, yet i know it’s time to move on…and while i am excited for what is next, i’m still sad to see the old friend go away…it’s sort of like graduating high school, or college, in that way, if that makes any sense…all the while, i know the future calls…
Speaking of the future, in the Daily News, Adam Rubin talks architecture and wind patterns while looking at whether Citi Field will truly be a pitcher’s park.
Woody Williams still available?
I’d compare it to your parents deciding to move out of the house you grew up in. All your memories are there, you know every inch of the place and probably have a different fond memory in every room, and you’re really sad to see it go, but at the same time your parents are moving from a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house that was built in the 50’s with poor plumbing, creaky doors, no central-air, and some chipping paint into a brand-new 6 bedroom-5 bathroom house with all the modern amenities.
What a perfect analogy. Like many of us, I’ll miss Shea for the memories I have of going there since I was 4, and I’ll be sad to see it knocked down, but I’m looking forward to making all new memories with my own kids at Citi Field.
this post title made me wish the beatles “hello goodbye” was one of the song choices
you’re waiting three innings to go to the bathroom or grab a hot dog
This always gets mentioned and I don’t get it!
I’ve NEVER EVER had a problem with the problems. Its get in, get out, and done! Sure there’s a line sometimes and you might have to wait, what? like 2 minutes but lets not exaggerate here.
The only that nasty about the bathroom is that everything is always wet, that’s just gross. It’s the tidyness of that’s the problem.
And the food stand, c’mon, the longest part is thinking about what you want not standing on the line.
I can’t be the only one in the Candy Land world of Shea Stadium being a quick place to eat and pee.
Yeah and the problem with this is that the same folks who maintain the internals and concessions at Shea are the same folks who will do it at Citi next year…
I agree completely. And just because it’s a new stadium, doesn’t mean it will be fixed. I’ll give you a real-life example.
So Iive in the DC area, and was lucky enough to attend opening night of the Nationals new ball park. I won’t bore you with all of my observations, but here are a few of interest:
- The men’s rooms had *literally* seven urinals per facility. It was the only public event I’ve ever been to where there was no line for the ladies room, yet an 8 minute line to lose your beer.
- The concessions stands had 45 minute lines, all around the stadium. Keep in mind that this is a 45K seat stadium and regardless of how it was listed, the stadium was *not* full.
- For all seats other than the sections directly around home plate, they were shockingly small. Using my size 12 shoe, we estimated the seats to be roughly 18 inches wide, maybe even a tad less. I’m not a small person, but I’m not a fat ass either, and I literally had to sit sideways in my seat to be comfortable. It was like they bought these seats from Old Comiskey park and painted them blue. Just awful.
The moral of the story is, just because it’s new, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be better. I hope the Mets don’t make these same mistakes. I’m excited about the new ballpark, but I will miss Shea.
To me, Shea is like the ‘Summer House’… Open all summer and closes for the Spring… Next year, we move into the McMansion…
Whenever I hear people complain about Shea (and rightfully so), I can’t help but reply with a classic Clark Griswold response…..
Clark Griswold: ” It’s all part of the experience honey”
I’ll miss the old place–have a lot of wonderful memories, and connections to my late grandparents. I think it’s a little more nostalgic for those of us who don’t live in NY anymore. My annual trips to Shea really are the only time I have a sense of place that connects me with my childhood in NY. As cruddy as Shea is, it is replete with those memories, and bringing my kids to Shea was a wonderful “link-in-a-chain” feeling.
Frankly, I wish they had found a way to refurbish/expand the Polo Grounds rather than building Shea in the first place. We could all have a Wrigley Field like connection with that park and from what I understand it may have just been able to stand the test of time.
That said, time does march on. Citi Field will never feel like my ballpark, but I don’t blame a single person who gets giddy over the thought of Shea coming down.
Oh, other note, how sweet was it to see the Braves blow it for Glavine last night? The ump had a HUGE strike zone, which, at this point is what Glavine must have to be effective–his fastballs were zipping in at 82mph consistently. Tommy is going to KILL what is a weak Braves bullpen this year.
if the Mets had stayed at the Polo Grounds, and refurbished it in such a way that it was still nominally the same ballpark (i.e. more in line with Fenway and Wrigley than Yankee), I would be sadder about this move. We’d all have the same memories as we do at Shea (well, slightly different, but you get the point…Mets history would be there), plus it would have the extra 50 years of baseball history behind it. And it was a much more interesting stadium architecturally. Of course, if the Mets had stayed at the Polo Grounds I probably would have gone to half as many games since Manhattan is harder to get to for me than Queens, so maybe it’s a wash.
Lets all hope that with these ridiculous ticket prices, that the mets put a port a jon in the parking lots. Hard to tailgate without anywhere to take a leek.
Memories, yes, but we will have new memories at Citi.
I am dissappointed that the same crappy concessionaire will run Citi. This is a trememdous missed opportunity, the newer parks I visit have the most amazin’ food – Citi will have the same Aramark garbage in a different wrapper for 25% more $.
Sad, but maybe most people don’t care. I love to eat…
wow, that sucks….I didn’t realize they were using the same concessions. Ugh.
Will they at least be bringing over some of the pretty decent newer additions like Mama’s of Corona to CitiField?
Well, some stands won’t be the same ol’ food… Just the same ol’ friendly staff…
It’s like saying goodbye to a really, really old friend who smells like urine.
Matt:
My friend Dan said it best I think…
When I see Shea Stadium, I see Ron Swoboda’s great catch in 1969.
I see the that ball going through Buckner’s legs in ‘86.
I see Robin Ventura’s Grand Slam Single in ‘99
I see Endy’s catch in 2006.
People say that Shea Stadium is old and ugly. I guess they don’t see what I see.