I’m Calling it Shea
(No Mas has partnered with Paul Lukas of Uni Watch and the inimitable Reverend Vince Anderson on a campaign to call the new ballpark in Flushing, like the old one, Shea Stadium. As you may have surmised, there will be t-shirts, but our more glorious purpose is here explained by Reverend Vince, who will be performing his singular version of Meet the Mets before my interview with David Wright Tuesday night at 21 Mercer.)
I moved to Queens from California in 1994. I lived in a little apartment right off the 7 train, minutes from Shea Stadium. As a kid in California, I was raised believing that the American League was the league of the Devil, so there was never much of choice for me when deciding which New York team I would root for. I did give Yankee stadium a try and was not impressed. When I ascended the mighty escalator at Shea, to my seats in the Upper Deck for the first time, I felt like I was home.
As I got to know the history of Shea, the immediate connection I had grew deeper. I read about the baptizing of home plate with water from the the Hudson and East rivers, representing the Giants and the Dodgers, the legacy of the National League in New York City. I grew to admire the renegade spirit of Bill Shea, and his several attempts to bring real baseball back to the city.
My memories run deep. Not as deep as the folks that were there since the first opening day, but to me just as valid. Since my first opening day in 1996 I have not missed one. I have attended an average of 40 games a season, always in the upper deck, always with my scorecard and always with my trusty transistor radio, just in case the wind blew in such away, as it often did, that the sound of the public address system would some how bypass theus folks in the cheap seats. Not that I would need it, because the gigantic scoreboard always kept me abreast of the batting order and pitching changes, as well as updates of scores of the dreaded Yankees, Braves, and Phillies.
I remember so vividly the first game back after 9/11 and watching the Piazza moon shot fly across the 1st base line night into the parking lot, taking the care of the city with it, if but for a moment. I remember the sprinklers going off in the middle of a game, and Pedro later calling it a blessing. I remember countless fourth of July’s, soaked in sun and too expensive beer. I remember the triumphs and disappointments, both those of my team, and of me personally, as I used Shea as my cathedral, my place to connect with God, my place to reflect.
It was a dump. But it was our dump. I knew the time had come too say goodbye, but I never truly believed that the name would be sold to the highest bidder. When the name Citifield was announced I cried a little. When I drove by the other day and saw that name in lights, I cried a little more.
So here we are in the great depression of 2009, Citibank has been bailed out. At that time several people wanted to call it Taxpayer Field. I heard this while listening to the FAN, and I remember commenting to my self, “I’m calling it Shea.”
And that’s what I’m calling it. It will never be Citifield in my mind. It will always be Shea. Join us, as we attempt to take back the real name of the park at Flushing Meadows back form those that stole it from us. Join us in always calling it Shea to your friends and loved ones. “Popcorn, peanuts all down at Shea, guaranteed to have a heck of a day.”
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Reverend Vince Anderson is an avid Mets fan, musician, and actual minister who spreads the good word both at his weekly residency at the Black Betty in Brooklyn (Monday Nights), occasional Sunday Morning services at the Pete’s Candy Store and frequent weddings in and around the city, including No Mas’s own Buddy Schmeling’s at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We are proud to have him on the site and in the extended No Mas family.
For co-conspirator Paul Lukas’s eloquent goodbye column and video tribute to Shea click here, and for a shorter bit on the Stadium’s name and namesake, click here and search for “Shea”.
April 13th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Great!
I’m with ya!
April 13th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Yeah, my kids have been forced to endure many a dinner time lecture from me about the stunning regression to mediocrity of our once great society. I tell them about the grand old days when stadiums and arenas were named after people or things of great importance. Joe Louis Areana here in the Motor City is a fine example of this “better world”. An arena in major city named after a fighter….that is beauty. CitiField?…..sad.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
They couldn’t get away with this in the Bronx.
April 13th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I don’t think it should be called shea or citifield.
I think a new name should go with this new field.
I’m not much of a mets fan but i’m sure there’s a deseving member of mets folklore or of the queens community to name it after.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Large, you got a few thoughts on Harry Kalas?
April 14th, 2009 at 8:46 am
THIS IS GREAT! THANKS FOR SHARING! It’s funny I feel as though you took the thoughts right out of my head…the transistor radio, the “real fans” seats in the “nosebleed” section, the 7… I’ve been going to Shea for longer than I can remember, my Pop used to take us there on the weekends with our paper bag full of peanuts. When my kids asked me when my first Shea trip was, I honestly can’t say. It certainly WAS a cathedral and never got the recognition it truly deserved. I was disturbed by the Citifield name, but accepted it, in some way of thinking Shea would always be the ONLY Shea, and could never be replaced…but I think you are right; Shea has been the home of the Mets and all the memories that those years have brought… and should yesterdays opening day be an indicator of things to come? What a disappointing loss. The name is cursed…if not Shea – something else…
April 14th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Great site! I’m sick of good traditions being ruined. The more people complain, maybe idiots like the Wilpons will start to listen!
April 16th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I’m with you, but never want to hear that awful ’80s version of “Meet the Mets” ever again. Ever.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Just pretty much going to echo everyone’s sentiment here. Shea was fantastic, as many people said, it may have been a dump, but it was OUR dump. There is nothing about citi field that is distinctively Mets, it looks like the new parks in philadelphia, washington, baltimore or any number of places. What’s with the green seats? When did green become part of the Mets color scheme? Good old Shea though, had seats that were blue and orange.
April 17th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I always thought it should be Bob Murphy Park — where it’s aways a beautiful dayyy for Mets baseball.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:21 am
went to my first game at NOT SHEA last night, and it is incredible structurally, but doesn’t feel any different than any other new stadium in the league. the visuals are either generic or insane advertising slamming you in the head.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I’ve been calling it NewShea since the name-change was announced.
http://leastlikelytoblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/opening-day-at-newshea/
April 17th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I grew up with the METS, and though I never went to alot of games at Shea, I could never dream of the METS playing anywhere else. I haven’t lived in NYC for over twenty years, but never stopped rooting for the Mets, it’s a shame they didn’t keep the name, and I hope this movement catches fire. If I ever get to ‘NewShea’, I’ll be wearing one of your shirts.
April 18th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Chipper Jones named his daughter Shea because he loved to his in the park. I named my daughter Shea as well (although I’m no hitter).
April 20th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
First, the lyrics go:
“Hot Dogs, green grass, all out at Shea ….”
Second, you are entitled to feel how you feel — an no one stole anything … the Mets are getting $20M a year for Citi to place a name on a stadium …. a name that, quite frankly, is not offensive. For the record, I am OK with it.
But really, does it matter? By your thinking, why wasn’t the new stadium in 1964 out at Flushing Meadows named “The Polo Grounds” or “Ebbetts Field” or something similar to keeps those names alive? It was originally planned to be called Corona Park at Flushing Meadows (or something like that.
After re-reading your post, let me get this straight.
After shedding all those tears over seeing the name CitiField and not Shea Stadium, you regained your composure, designed a T-Shirt and are now trying to make money off it?
Just curious.
What an absolutely ridiculous post ….
April 20th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Quote: from Bryan …
There is nothing about citi field that is distinctively Mets, it looks like the new parks in philadelphia, washington, baltimore or any number of places. ==> really? have you ever been in there? asymmetrical outfield dimensions, various outfield wall heights, 8′RF stands overhang the playing surface …
What’s with the green seats? When did green become part of the Mets color scheme? Good old Shea though, had seats that were blue and orange. ==> right, the Mets had orange and blue seats …. and red and green … and yellow at one point. Green provides a much classier look …. by your thinking, shouldn’t the Mets paint all the outside brick that putrid blueish/purple color that Shea Stadium was painted?
Shea Stadium is gone. The Shea Stadium name is no more. You still have the memories.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:48 am
No stadium should be named after any corporation. The Cardinal’s shouldn’t be proud of themselves either naming their stadium after a corporation that promotes alcohol. Bill Shea worked tirelessly to bring National League baseball back to NY…He deserves the honor.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
[...] guys at No Mas are still calling Citi Field Shea, and have shirts to promote their [...]
April 21st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
How about Chez Les Mets or Chez Nous?
April 21st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I’m still a young Mets fan, but I still can’t imagine the Mets playing anywhere else but Shea… watching the games at Citi Field doesn’t feel right… I’m in the upper left field sections and I can only see half the field…
It’s not a baseball stadium. It’s a freakin’ shopping mall. All this yuppie food? SUSHI? At a BALLPARK? Who the heck do the Wilpons think they are? This isn’t home, and it never will be home, and I am very proud to say: I’M STILL CALLING IT SHEA!
April 21st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I’m in.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
You do a disservice to Shea Stadium by calling Citi Field Shea. Let it rest in piece. Life moves on. Sure, Shea brought NL baseball back, but we’re beyond that. (Isn’t that why so many people are upset that there is anything Dodgers in the park?)
April 21st, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I think Ralph Lauren should have ponied up… and named it the “POLO GROUNDS”
And I really hope what I heard is true.. someone told me they’re going to paint the bases of shea in the parking lot which will replace it….
now that would make for a great tailgate party!!
“THE BALL GETS BY BUCKNER!”
April 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Great piece, couldn’ agree more. I was twittering from my first game last night, that it’s an incredible structure, but has no ‘mets’ feel, could be ANYTEAM USA, STADIUM. As I always said as well, shea was dump, but OUR dump.
My first game was 1978 Jerry Koosman vs. Vida Blue , have the ticket still, signed by Koosman (my dad was a Mets reporter at Newsday at the time). I was four, and is actually one of my first memories that I can vividly remember in LIFE.
Was there for game one of WS in ‘86, Bobby Jones one hitter vs. Giants in playoffs, Pratt’s home run, Yanks/Mets series, a few of the 1985, 1986 and 1987 end of season Cardinals battles and one… For about 250 plus games I’d figure (my dad acutally has every single game we went to in a crazy old school scorebook)…
April 21st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I love this and I’m getting me one of those shirts. This is in the true stubborn, loving, improvisational spirit of Mets fandom as it has existed since 1962. This is the spirit that used to make the banners and saved the home run apple. How can they expect us to love a stadium that has no sign of our past, or our identity, a stadium that insults us every step of the way with un-Metsian exclusivity. Right on, guys, and I’m adding a link to your site from my blog and book sites and I’ll put up a blog piece about you very soon.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 am
I’m a lifelong Yankee fan and lifelong Met hater, but CitiField makes me puke. The corporatization of our ballparks takes away from the charm of going to a game (among other reasons). Count me in your crusade: I’m calling it Shea.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’m calling it NOT DODGER STADIUM.
Seriously, my friends and I call it “The City”.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
Lets get some bumper stickers going too! Way more reach than t shirts
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
I owe the good people at NoMas a favor, so I-Berg if you need me to print stickers, e-mail me. I’ll get it done. Like I said before I’m a sucker for a good cause.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
[...] Paul Lukas on Shea, go here. For more on the shirt, go here or [...]
April 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Could not agree with your movement more… I’m a huge Mets fan, and not a fan of CitiBank using bailout money, layoffs, etc., but then still paying to advertise. It makes me sick. A few days ago, as I was putting on my Mets paraphernalia to attend my first Mets game at their new home, I declared to my boyfriend that I’m only calling it Mets Stadium or Mets Field. He laughed, but saw my point. When I saw your ad in New York Magazine last night, my face perked up, and I knew where my next purchase was going. So thankful for this!
April 29th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
When one says Mets, one says Shea! Oh Shea can you see, it will always be Shea! PS I also bought the shirt because people should know it IS Shea.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
may shea rest in peace there could never be another shea.
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 am
Before I knew it was a charitable effort, I bought four. Now I’ll buy for every Mets (AND YANKEES) fan I know.
The shirt was good enough. You benefit NY-ers with it, you win the World Series, my babies. You win.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
“Catch the Rising Stars!”
May 16th, 2009 at 12:30 am
I ain’t calling Citi Field and I can’t call it Shea.
Let’s call it what it is: “Shea Nouveau”
May 18th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Do you write the articles yourself or do you get somebody to write out your ideas for me? As when i tried blogging I was nowhere near this good!
June 1st, 2009 at 6:40 pm
It’ll always be Shea to me.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
The new name is TWO-SHEA!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:44 am
My parents had their first date at Shea, where my dad kicked a security guard in the chest to catch a foul ball. My dad dragged her to so many games that she even went into labor at the stadium. My grandfather grew up in Brooklyn and was a Dodgers fan until the Mets came around. He’s probably rolling over in his grave right now knowing that a name like Citi is plastered all over the stadium…
I’m heading to my first game Thursday night. I live in Philadelphia and I see the Mets every time they come to town. I wear my Mets hat proudly, even though Philly fans are less than nice, but I do it for the memories… for my first game with my dad and grandpa. My first hot dog, my first Mets hat, the first time I saw a homerun.
Mets fans know loyalty… and it’s time someone stepped up and recognized that.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
being a “former” yanks fan myself – I had my first kiss with my now husband at a Mets preseason practice a few years ago. Love the shirt and had to buy it as one of his birthday presents – though I’ll wind up taking it, I’m sure!
August 11th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Went to the game on 7/30/09, took my 90year old mom. My son bought us all new mets shirts. His wife wore I’m calling it shea. She was quite a hit with that shirt. My sister named her bird Shea and has gone on the web site to get her I’m calling it Shea shirt also. Great job with the shirts, they made a tremendous hit at the game..Thank you
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
My wife and I went to a game in June 1986 and we conceived our son on that trip back home. 9 months later, we named our son Shea in honor of the 86 year and that true underdog spirit!
I said it all along, and now it’s here “I’m calling it Shea!”
January 8th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
On the two times I wore my shirt to “Shea” in 2009, I was stopped by multiple people asking where I got mine. This included a Mets employee in the main store at the entrance telling me that he gets multiple requests every game for the Shea shirts.
February 28th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Got mine from a buddy,(a Yankee fan,)It always gets a reaction, from upstate NY to Atlantic City. I strikes a chord with fans of any team. I remember when the citi logos first began to appear at Shea. There were 2 or 3 years of exposure before the new ballpark. I had thought that citi field was going to be the name of the complex…and that the Shea name would go on to designate the stadium within the “Citi Field” complex. I thought it would be like Giants Stadium within the Meadowlands Sports complex. I was very disappointed to learn that the Shea name would be abandoned. I haven’t had tix since I got the shirt late last summer. I am looking forward to wearing the shirt in Flushing, and being asked about it.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Great idea and project. With my surname, you understand well why I agree.
I had always been led to believe that Shea Stadium was christened with water from the Hrlem River and the Gowanus Canal.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
I hate the name citi field, I want Shea back
July 1st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
[...] PS: The “I’m Calling It Shea” shirts were made by another Rooftop Films alum, the producer of Dock Ellis and the LSD No-No. The shirt is available at http://www.nomas-nyc.com and the wonderful backstory behind it is here. [...]