Shea Stadium: 1964 - 2008
Hammerhead Snark | September 30, 2008
Shea... because being a fan should hurt
Following Sunday’s loss to the Florida Marlins that eliminated the New York Mets from the postseason Shea Stadium began its deconstruction and going with it are some timeless memories. Shea was no charming living room, it was Flushing Queens in all it’s ugly concrete glory, with constant jet flyovers, outfield view of nothing and bleachers that shook when the Jets or Mets would set their fans up for inevitable disappointment. But every now and then Shea would channel the rude, unforgiving and cold heart of the city and capture the essence of New York.
October 25, 1986: Mets 6 Red Sox 5
It speaks for itself
All Shea stories begin and end with the Mookie Wilson soft dribbler through the legs of a hobbled Bill Buckner to steal the game and ultimately the ’86 World Series. It’s a moment that will forever define the Mets and Shea Stadium, damn lucky to be here. After climbing back from a 5-3 10th inning deficit the Mets won it all when Wilson swatted the 10th pitch of the Mets last at bat and somehow singled to right field to score Ray Knight and crush Boston’s hearts. The stadium erupted with 50,000+ New Yawka’s reveling in one of sports’ most improbable and memorable moments ever.
December 27th, 1981: Bills 31 Jets 27
Richard Todd, he tried
The Bills ran out to a 24-0 2nd quarter lead in this AFC Playoff game on Joe Ferguson to Frank Lewis touchdown passes and a Charles Romes 26-yard fumble return. But the Jets fought back behind Richard Todd touchdown throws to Mickey Shuler and Bobby Jones. This was the best Jet era since 1969 and featured Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Mark Gastineau forming the Sack Exchange and Wesley Walker, Freeman McNeil and Jerome Barkum pacing a steady offense. After Kevin Long ran in from a yard out to bring the Jets within 4 the crowd began to bounce so hard the outfield bleachers shook in rhythm with their pumping hearts. With 2:36 remaining the Jets drove 69 yards to the Bills 11 yard line. With two seconds left Todd threw one more time but Bill (not OJ) Simpson leapt up at the 1-yard line and intercepted it. The Bills had two interceptions wiped out by penalties but this one stuck. And so did the pain.
October 13, 1982: The Clash Crash Shea
Strummer at Shea
Sure the Beatles rocked the house in 1965 but it was the Clash performance in 1982 as the opening act for the last leg of The Who’s farewell tour that brought punk to the masses and then killed it right there in the rain. The Clash had just released Combat Rock, a commercial success that alienated their more hardcore fans, and the band was at its zenith. Before 72,000 mostly wet Who fans the Clash bit punk’s jugular but in a manner that reverberated with all their anger, humor and passion. This was Queens, the borough before Manhattan, and this was the Clash, working-class blokes with a guerilla spirit. Jeers taunted the band from the start but the mates played a classic set that featured Clampdown, Should I Stay or Should I Go and Tommy Gun. The band split up shortly after.
September 28, 2008: Marlins 4 Mets 2
Fitting. Typical. Perfect. The Mets collapse in September for the second consecutive year and again lose to the Florida Marlins to end it. After swearing repeatedly that they would never repeat the disaster of 2007 the Mets went ahead and did just that. A bullpen imploded, an offense sputtered and Ryan Church flied out to officially close the Shea Stadium era. Stunned fans, tearful children and sullen Mets are mocked by bright fireworks send off… good night Shea.
Playing with the black joojoo
Playing with the black joojoo
Chomp chum Reeftard... Shea had magic but it was an
Chomp chum Reeftard… Shea had magic but it was an ugly black magic.
Fuck you dildo head...... Shea will always have
Fuck you dildo head…… Shea will always have a special place in my heart!