The 2017 New York Mets started filled with high expectations. After reaching the postseason for two consecutive seasons, the team expected to continue the trend with the healthy young arms from the starting rotation that the general manager boasted about for years. With the exception of Jacob deGrom, each of the young Mets starters missed multiple starts, misdiagnosed injuries and later found themselves on the disabled list.
The New York Mets opened the 2016 season as the defending National League champions at home with a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The season started slowly, but the Mets picked up momentum in late April and early May, going 17-6 in one stretch with the offense clicking on all cylinders. But injuries to key starting players David Wright and Lucas Duda caught up with the team in June, and the Mets found themselves hovering six games above .500 at the All-Star break as the offense struggled.
Matt Harvey’s inconsistencies were a big question from the beginning of season. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder pain on July 4 and later opted to have season-ending surgery to resolve a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome. He finished the year 4-10, with a 4.86 ERA.
The Mets acquired Reds slugger Jay Bruce at the trade deadline for top 2B prospect Dilson Herrera. But the Bruce pickup was not quite as impactful as the Yoenis Céspedes acquisition the year before: Bruce totaled just eight home runs and 19 RBI in 50 games as a Met. The Mets did get a spark out of former star José Reyes, who was brought in to fill the void at 3B and in the leadoff spot. But in late August, they fell two games under .500, third place in the division and 2 1/2 games out of the wildcard.
The Mets finished the last 40 games 27-13 despite losing 2B Neil Walker and starting pitchers Jacob DeGrom and Steven Matz to the injury bug. They clinched the first wildcard spot on the second-to-last game of the season only to lose the wildcard game at Citi Field to the Giants and Madison Bumgarner.
When photographing an event, you wait for that one great moment to capture on the camera. Whether it be a second baseman going airborne in an amazing double play or a player hitting a game winning home run and being mobbed at home plate at teammates. Then it happens and you get a clear shot, suddenly somebody on the field walks right in front of your line of sight destroying that moment. Read more
Coming to a major league ball park near you very soon. The top prospects of the New York Mets for 2014 according MLB and photographed by Gordon Donovan. I visited the Las Vegas 51's for four games and then Savannah for a few games in cold and wet Lakewood. Binghamton is a frequent destination as well as Brooklyn.
To be eligible for a list, a player must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.
Las Vegas 51s starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (50) throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Fresno Grizzlies at Chukchansi Park, Monday, April 14, 2014, in Fresno. (Gordon Donovan)
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Every year I enjoy traveling on vacation to see a ballpark I never visited. Due to the economy, my distaste for flying and rental car costs, gas prices and sleeping in strange places (I can never sleep on the road). I decided to stay local and visit some ballparks only a short bus ride away so I could be home that same day.
My trip started with a visit to Citi Field for a concert by Paul McCartney. To Citizens Bank Park on Monday to see the Cubs play the Phillies followed by Nationals Park on Tuesday to see the Mets and Nats. Wednesday I was at Yankee Stadium where the Orioles took on the Bronx Bombers. On Friday I made it to Fenway Park with a stadium tour and to see the Red Sox play the Orioles.
As a die-hard Mets fan it pains me to say that Paul McCartney was the best performance at Citi Field so far this season.
The first time I went to Citi Field after the Mets installed the fan walk, I looked at this new beautiful park. I saw a couple in their early 50's checking out the new park. The man's father who was near 80 years old sat there teary eyed. The new ballpark awoke memories of a field and team that picked up left Brooklyn after the 1957 season.
Unfortunately that is one of biggest problems with Citi Field. It honors the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, not the New York Mets. On Opening Day, the ballpark was sterile, no memories of the Mets' 47-year history and two world championship teams. The Dodgers won only one championship while in Brooklyn.
As you enter the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, old images of Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field are on display. The rotunda is beautiful, but where is the Mets stuff? How about the Giants? Aren't the Mets the team that replaced and the Giants and Dodgers and took their colors and logo? The Mets played their first seasons at the Polo Grounds and then Shea Stadium. I don't see images of those parks, just Ebbets Field and a big number 42.
The ballpark is great, except I wouldn't know you were in New York. It feels like you're at a Met fan on the road. The outfield area is filled with food vendors and areas to eat. Shake Shack is a must. An hour before game time the line is 45 minutes long. I was there at 5:30 and got a burger hot off the grill in a minute with a shake. I went back for seconds and waited one minute.
I have seats in the front row of the Pepsi Porch in right field. Great seats, great view, the porch hangs 8 feet over the field of play. The only problem is when a ball is hit into right field beneath you, you lose the action. People in the third row or further back lose more of the playing field and need assistance from people in front to learn what happened.
Citi Field is a much better and larger facility than Shea Stadium, which you can walk around the entire park at the field level.
The porch was a 20-minute exit to the field, because there's one way up and out. The staircases get cramped and crowded. Security will not let you pass through the Caesars Club to exit down that staircase.
Things move very slowly when you hit the 7 trains, because there's one staircase there with five openings, two of them taped off by the MTA and causing congestion. Maybe the MTA will add an additional entrance/exit near 126th Street and perhaps add a handicap accessible elevator.
A welcome to Citi Field sign featuring Mr. Mets in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Did not know Jackie played with the Mets? (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
One of the few things the Mets have added since the season started to honor their past. In the bullpen gate you will find the Mets championship and pennant markers near the home run apple. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A fan holds a baseball autographed by a Mets player before the baseball game at Citi Field in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets, glows at night while fans exit the park following the Mets 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. As a life-long Mets fan, it pains me to say that Paul McCartney was the best performance at Citi Field so far this season. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The Pepsi Cola sign above the Pepsi Porch. The porch reminds people of the one at Tiger Stadium. Great seats, great view, the porch hangs 8 feet over the field of play. The only problem is when a ball is hit into right field beneath you, you lose the action. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Opening Day at Citi Field between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets on April 13, 2009. Citi Field is the third home for the Mets since 1962. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A fan holds up a sign in the Pepsi Porch displaying his disappointment over the team's poor play in the inaugural season at Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Fans walk across the Shea Bridge in centerfield. Unlike Shea Stadium, fans can walk around the concourse on the main field level. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets catcher Omir Santos enjoys a day off on a beautiful day at Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The seats are mirrored off the windows of the Mets offices past the Shea Bridge in the outfield at Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A vendor looks for a customer to purchase one of his overpriced hot dogs. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A photographer for the New York Mets searches the seats for a happy face during a disappointing first season at Citi Field. Many believe the ballpark was built on an old burial grounds and is responsible for all the team's woes and injuries. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The rotunda is beautiful, but where is the Mets stuff? Aren't the Mets the team that replaced and the Giants and Dodgers and took their colors and logo? The Mets played their first seasons at the Polo Grounds and then Shea Stadium. I don't see any images of those parks, just a big number 42. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Cinncinnati Reds All-Star Joey Votto gets ejected by home plate umpire Bill Welke for arguing balls and strikes in the 4th inning against the Mets. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The sneakers of Mets outfielder Gary Sheffield sit on the outfield grass at Citi Field during batting practice, Tuesday, July 29, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Mets mascot Mr. Met shoots t-shirts during the crowd with the Pepsi Party Patrol during the seventh inning stretch. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
One of the few things the Mets have added since the season started to honor their past. In the bullpen gate you will find the Mets championship and pennant markers near the home run apple. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The seldom used new Home Run Apple in center field. The new ballpark with larger dimensions has made it harder for teams to blast home runs at Ciit Field. (Gordon Donovan)
Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with Citi Field is that it honors the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, not the New York Mets. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets David Wright stands on deck during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets bench coach Sandy Alomar brings out the line up card before the game against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
No tributes to the New York Giants, although Jeff Wilpon said the seats match the color of the seats at the Polo Grounds. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The center field area is filled with food vendors and areas to eat, including the Shake Shack. Behind the center field scoreboard is the 2K Sports FanFest area, an expanded family entertainment area that includes a miniature wiffleball field replica of Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The beautful front entrance of Citi Field features a rotunda named after Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson and honors his life and accomplishments. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Markers in place where the bases and home plate were located in Shea Stadium in the parking lot. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The beautiful brick facade of Citi Field that is reminiscent of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, former home of the Dodgers. The Mets played in Shea Stadium for 44 seasons, the Dodgers played at Ebbets Field for 45 seasons. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Retired numbers of the Met managers Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, Hall of Fame Mets pitcher Tom Seaver, Brooklyn Dodger great Jackie Robinson and Bill Shea, who brought National League baseball back to New York. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Directional markers outside of Citi Field to help fans get lost at new ballpark. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
On Opening Day, the ballpark was sterile, with no memories of the Mets' 47-year history and two world championship teams. The Dodgers won only one championship while in Brooklyn. As you enter the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, images of Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field are on display. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The first time I went to Citi Field after the Mets installed the fan walk, I looked at this new beautiful park I saw a couple in their early 50's checking out the new park. The man's father, who was near 80 years, old sat there teary-eyed. The new ballpark awoke memories of a field and team that picked up and left Brooklyn after the 1957 season. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The New York Mets, founded in 1962, returned National League baseball to New York following the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles and the New York Giants to San Francisco. The Mets' uniform was designed to incorporate elements of both departed clubs, with the Dodgers' royal blue becoming the Mets' primary color and the Giants' orange the trim color, along with the Giants' "NY" crest adopted as the new team's cap logo. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Ballpark: B – New ballpark, upgrade from Shea Stadium. More bathrooms, elevators and restaurants. Some bad sight lines and seating. Lose plays down the line from some seats. Can’t see the field from the main concourse behind home plate or food court in centerfield. Seats are more cramped with long rows and so called extended leg room. No more box seats. No more great firework nights since the stadium is enclosed. Lovely view of chop shops now.
Fans & Atmosphere: B – Great new ballpark and baseball scene despite Mets fans whining and wanting to fire or trade everybody. Great for families but overpriced. Tickets in Pepsi Porch Gold (front row) - $60.00 a ticket and you can't see right field beneath you. One fan with a big mouth called Mr. Bingo abused Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran the entire game.
Food: A – Shake Shack burgers and shakes are a must. Great fries across the way at Box Frites. Sausage and pepper hero sandwiches are excellent. Food Cost - $30.50. Not enough tables to eat.
Mascot: A – Mr. Met, its Mr. Met. He should abuse a Phillie Phanatic stuffed doll.
Staff: B – Great friendly staff, a few in a bad mood or think they own the park, it's New York after all. Ushers always have a hand out and security is a bunch of what-to-be cops.
Team Tradition: D – Mets history is all but absent, you feel like you're at a Mets game on the road. Brooklyn Dodgers are represented in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Nothing about New York Giants, although Jeff Wilpon said the seats match the color of Polo Grounds. Slowly they have been elements, pennants and banners. Plans are being made for a Hall of Fame in the Bullpen Gate area. They laid bases and home plate from Shea in the actual spot where the parking lot is now. They did bring the Home Run Apple and old scoreboard's NYC skyline over from Shea.
Location: B – The ballpark is in the old parking lot next to where Shea Stadium stood in Corona, Queens. Lots of parking, 7 trains is the best way in and out. Train station needs to be renovated and handicap accessible.
Photos taken July 11-12 and 28, 2009 using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.
Shea Stadium formerly known as William A. Shea Municipal Stadium was a stadium in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City. Built as a multi-purpose stadium, it was the home park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets for 45 seasons (1964–2008), as well as the New York Jets football team from 1964 to 1983.
The venue was named in honor of William Shea, the man who was most responsible for bringing National League baseball back to New York after the Dodgers and Giants left for California in 1957. It was demolished in 2009 to create additional parking for the adjacent Citi Field, Shea's replacement and the current home of the Mets.
It was originally to be called "Flushing Meadow Park Municipal Stadium" – the name of the public park within which it was built – but an ultimately successful movement was launched to name it in honor of William Shea, the New York attorney who brought National League baseball back to New York.
After 29 months of construction and $28.5 million spent, Shea Stadium opened on April 17, 1964, with the Pittsburgh Pirates beating the Mets 4–3 before a crowd of 50,312. There were no prior exhibition games or events, and the stadium was barely finished in time for the home opener.
The stadium opened five days before the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, across Roosevelt Avenue. Although not officially part of the fair grounds, the stadium sported steel panels on its exterior in the blue-and-orange colors of the Fair, the same team colors of the Mets. The panels were removed in 1980.
Shea Stadium was the home of the New York Mets starting in 1964, and it hosted what would be its only All-Star Game that first year, with Johnny Callison of the Philadelphia Phillies hitting a home run in the ninth inning to win the only Mid-Summer Classic held in the Queens ballpark. A month earlier, on Father's Day, Callison's teammate, future Hall of Fame member and U.S. Senator Jim Bunning, pitched a perfect game against the Mets.
The stadium was often criticized by baseball purists for many reasons, even though it was retrofitted to be a baseball-only stadium after the Jets left. The upper deck was one of the highest in the majors.
The lower boxes were farther from the field than similar seats in other parks because they were still on the rails that had swiveled them into position for football. Outfield seating was sparse, in part because the stadium was designed to be fully enclosed.
At one time, Shea's foul territory was one of the most spacious in baseball. This was very common for ballparks built during the 1960s, in part due to the need to accommodate the larger football field This was also because the stadium was designed to be fully enclosed. However, seats added over the years in the lower level greatly reduced the size of foul territory by the dawn of the 21st century.
On the plus side, Shea always used a natural grass surface, in contrast to other multi-purpose stadiums such as Three Rivers Stadium, Veterans Stadium, and Riverfront Stadium, which were built in the same era and style and had artificial turf.
Shea Stadium hosted postseason baseball in 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2000, and 2006; it hosted the World Series in 1969, 1973, 1986, and 2000. It had the distinction of being the home of the 1969 "Miracle Mets"— led by former Brooklyn Dodger Gil Hodges that defied 100–1 odds and won the World Series, after seven straight seasons in last or next-to-last place.
Shea became famous for the bedlam that took place after the Mets won the decisive Game 5 of the World Series, as fans stormed the field in celebration. Similar scenes took place a few weeks earlier after the Mets clinched the National League East title, and then defeated the Atlanta Braves in the first National League Championship Series to win the pennant.
Tommie Agee, Lenny Dykstra, Todd Pratt, Robin Ventura, and Benny Agbayani hit postseason, walk-off home runs at Shea (although, while the ball hit by Ventura over the fence may have been the most famous of the postseason walk off hits, it was famously called "the Grand Slam Single", because when he hit the game winning ball over the fence, he was mobbed by his teammates before he could reach second base, and never wound up touching second base, third base and home plate. It was not ruled a home run as he never circled the bases completely. It probably made Ventura, known for his penchant for hitting grand slams, even more famous, and the hit itself more famous, because of the very fact that he never circled the bases fully, technically not making it a homer).
On October 3, 2004, it was the venue for the last game in the history of the Montreal Expos, and the Mets won 8–1. Montreal's major league story ended where it had started 35 years earlier: at Shea Stadium.The following year, the Expos relocated to Washington, D.C. and became the Nationals.
The last game played at Shea Stadium was a loss to the Florida Marlins on September 28, 2008. However, the Mets were in the thick of the playoff chase until the last day. A win would have meant another game for Shea as the Mets were scheduled to play the Milwaukee Brewers in a one-game playoff for the National League Wild Card berth.
Following the game, there was a "Shea Goodbye" tribute in which many players from the Mets' glory years entered the stadium and touched home plate one final time so that fans could pay their last respects to the players and the stadium the Mets called home for 45 years.
The ceremony ended with Tom Seaver throwing a final pitch to Mike Piazza, then, as the Beatles' "In My Life" played on the stadium speakers the two former Met stars walked out of the centerfield gate and closed it behind them, followed by a display of blue and orange fireworks.
A fan wears a Shea tribute jersey in the box seats on the field level as the Philadelphia Phillies play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in Corona Queens, New York, September 9. 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The Home Run Apple beyond the outfield wall at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 7, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The neon sign of a player on the side of Shea Stadium in New York City before the NLCS on Oct. 19, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Two Mets fans pose for a photo with Yankees fan Freddie Sez before a playoff game against the Cardinals at Shea Stadium in New York City on Oct. 19, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A view of a nice crowd from the upper level behind home plate as the Florida Marlins play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on Sept. 21, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The Florida Marlins play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on Sept. 21, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A view of Shea Stadium from upper level before the baseball game between the Dodgers and the Mets in New York City, September 9. 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
World Championship banners wave in the wind in center field during the baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Mets at Shea Stadium in Corona Queens, New York, September 9. 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Looking out from the loge level before the Florida Marlins play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on August 8, 2008. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Fans watch from the box seats on the field level as the Los Angeles Dodgers play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in Corona Queens, New York, September 9. 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A marker where Tommie Agee hit a ball that traveled an estimated 505 feet and was the only fair ball ever to make it to the top deck at Shea Stadium in Corona Queens, New York, Aug. 5, 2008. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A father and son sit in the upper level before the San Diego Padres play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on August 5, 2008. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The Pittsburgh Pirates play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 26, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Cotton candy colors fill the skies just after sunset during the baseball between the San Francisco Giants and the Mets at Shea Stadium in Corona Queens, New York, July 11, 2008. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The Pittsburgh Pirates play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 26, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The empty red field level fields following the game between the Cubs and the Mets at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 7, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The championship placards are hung on the outer wall in right field near the Mets bullpen at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 7, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A view from one of few seats in fair territory in the loge section as the Pittsburgh Pirates play the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 26, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The press box above the loge level as a nice crowd attends the baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 26, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza chats with pitcher Royce Ring in a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 2, 2005. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The Cincinnati Reds play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 20, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Fans arrive by subway to watch the Philadelphia Phillies play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 7, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A plane flies over Shea Stadium in New York City as the Philadelphia Phillies play the New York Mets in a baseball game on June 7, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A young fan wears a crazy looking mask while enjoying the San Francisco Giants play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 4, 2005. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez stands on the field as the sprinkler system went on in the first inning in a baseball game between the the Arizona Diamondbacks at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 2, 2005. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A fan holds up a sign as New York Mets star Mike Piazza bats against the San Francisco Giants at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 4, 2005. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Fans in the upper level seats watch action as a full moon makes an appearance before sundown during a game between the Giants and the Mets at Shea Stadium in New York City on May 29, 2007. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Mr. Mets tosses a few t-shirts in the seats as the Atlanta Braves play the New York Mets in a baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York City on May 7, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Retired numbers on the left field wall at Shea Stadium in New York City on May 25, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets manager Willie Randolph separates catcher Paul Lo Duca from home plate umpire Angel Hernandez after a blown call in a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium in New York City on May 7, 2006. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The loge level concourse at Shea Stadium, the home of the New York Mets in New York, New York City on April 8, 2008. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets David Wright stands on 3B during the baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Shea Stadium in New York City on June 2, 2005. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
"Shea Goodbye" tribute in which many players from the Mets' glory years entered the stadium and touched home plate one final time so that fans could pay their last respects to the players and the stadium the Mets called home for 45 years. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Ballpark: D - It’s a dump, but it’s Mets fans' dump. You are so fair from the action if you are sitting along the lines because of foul territory. You cannot walk around the stadium, just to the left and right corners. Old multi purpose stadium, windy and cold in the spring and fall. Not enough bathrooms and it takes forever to leave because of packed ramps and limited access to the subway. Escalators are always off after a game and you cannot walk down. People are always blocking the action walking around, especially vendors. One concourse at Shea on the field level with the charm of a dungeon. Scoreboard sitting beyond the right field wall is amazing. If you are sitting in boxes, you will enjoy a game. You will never catch a foul ball in green and red seats.
Fans & Atmosphere: C - For Halloween, Yankee fans wear a Mets cap and say they're a dick. Real die hard fans who love the team and are passionate about the game. Many who think 1986 was last year, when the team has not won anything since then. Some like to bully fans of opposing teams. Piazza and Wright jerseys everywhere. Planes from nearby LaGuardia Airport always fly overhead during the course game.
Food: D - Leftover food from the 1964 World’s Fair is available but needs to be eaten with extreme caution. Hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, beer and soda. Some stands serving sausage and peppers with complimentary rolaids. Fresh popcorn is good before they dump pounds of salt all over it. Diamond Club is okay if you are a Season Ticket Holder. Eat before arriving or bring a sandwich and sealed bottle of water.
Mascot: A - Mr. Met, always around greeting kids and all fans. Posing for photos before the game and during the game. Then shooting t-shirts from the field during 4th and 7th innings with Pepsi Party Patrol. One of the best in baseball, fans love him.
Staff: D - Rude ushers who always have palms open for tips. Many have been there since Shea opened, they think they own the place. You can see them picking promotional items when fans leave seats. Security has a tough job dealing with fans who come to abuse booze and players. Some seedy security and some that are very professional.
Team Tradition: C - Diamond Club has a Hall of Fame, a few busts and plaques. Need a ticket to view them. Retired numbers and pennant placards in outfield corners. In ramp ways some photos are hung of classic moments at Shea. Not many of them. Great looking marker in left field where Met Tommie Agee blasted a home run in the upper level. Championship teams from 1969 and 1986 recognized but not the predecessors from Brooklyn and Coogan's Bluff.
Location: B – Stadium has a large parking lot, 15 bucks to park here. Fans tailgate before the game. The 7 trains are the best way in and out. 40 minutes from midtown Manhattan. Train station needs to be renovated and made handicap accessible. LI Railroad is accessible to the city and island.
Photos taken 2002-2008, using a Canon EOS 30D Digital Rebel, Canon EOS Digital Rebel with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard lens and 100-400mm f/4L IS USM Standard lens and a PowerShot SD970 IS Digital Camera.