It may not have the history and prestige of its elder brother in the Bronx, but Shea Stadium in Queens is still a special place. The Mets as a franchise represent the scrappy overlooked guy who never gives up and always has hope. "Ya Gotta Believe!" That was the slogan for which they were known.
They started out as laughingstocks in 1962 and produced a World Series championship miracle in 1969. Fans fell in love with them. Even when they fell short in 1973, people still had hope. That hope was rewarded when they rose like a powerful phoenix in 1986 and produced a baseball juggernaut for the ages. They came back again in 2000 to take part in the World Series of my heart: The New York Yankees vs. The New York Mets. My two favorite teams. They fell short to their elder brethren, but they played hard and they played proud.
Shea Stadium gave us special memories in New York. Not everyone thought it was pretty, but we New Yorkers saw it as beautiful.
And it was ours.
We'll miss you, Shea Stadium. Here's to new, glorious memories in the 21st century for the Mets in their new home.
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