New York Mets Baseball
The New York Mets were founded in 1962. The Mets began their on-field play in 1962, losing their first nine games en route to a 40-120 record. Their .250 winning percentage was the third worst by any team since the beginning of the 20th Century.
The Mets began their 1969 season with an average start of 21-23. By August, it looked like the Chicago Cubs were going to secure the pennant. The New York Mets were in third place and 10 games out. The Mets caught fire winning 38 of their last 49 games and the Cubs fizzled. The Mets finished 100-62 and became known as the “Miracle Mets” as they battled their way to the World Series. They bowled over the Baltimore Orioles to grab the World Series. Soon after the season ended, Tom Seaver lent his name to a commercial saying "If the Mets can win the World Series, America can get out of Vietnam."
The New York Mets appeared in the World Series again in 1973, 1986 and 2000. They won the 1986 World Series by defeating the Boston Red Sox. The 1986 team had a lot of controversy off the field. Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden had substance abuse and personal problems. Keith Hernandez was battling a cocaine addiction and Lenny Dykstra was recently tainted by allegations of steroid and gambling problems. Even though Strawberry had off-the-field problems, he still remains the Mets’ all-time leader in home runs and RBI’s.
Shea Stadium
Opening Day for Shea Stadium came on April 17, 1964. Shea Stadium is named after William Alfred Shea, an attorney who was instrumental in acquiring the team. The five-tiered stadium seated 55,601. It was the first stadium of its size to have an extensive escalator system, being able to convert from a football gridiron to a baseball diamond by two motor operated stands and every seat was directed at the center of the field.
Shea Stadium is the noisiest outdoor ballpark in the majors because it is in the flight path of La Guardia Airport. Despite that fact, it is a very nice place to watch a ball game. The Mets Magic Hat is located behind the center field fence. When a Mets’ player homers, an apple rises out of the hat. The right-center scoreboard is one of largest in the majors, 175 feet long and 86 feet high with a Bulova clock on top, about 25 feet behind the outfield fence.