| In the 1950s, New York lost both the Giants and the | | | | witnessed a number of great moments over the |
| Dodgers and rumors stated that the teams left, in | | | | years, including the stadium's first homerun, which |
| part, due to the fact that they wanted a new | | | | was belted by Willie Stargell in 1964. That same year, |
| stadium. This left New York with only one remaining | | | | Jim Bunning pitched the only perfect game to ever |
| baseball team. By 1960, National League owners were | | | | be thrown in Shea Stadium's history. Additionally, fans |
| ready to award new baseball franchise teams to | | | | watched in 1984 as Dwight Gooden set a Major |
| New York with one of the requirements being the | | | | League rookie record with 276 strikeouts. Another |
| construction of a new stadium. | | | | memorable moment, which occurred in 1996, was |
| True to their word, on October 28, 1961, the city of | | | | observed as Todd Hundley defeated Roy |
| New York began construction on a new facility that | | | | Campanella's 43 year Major League record, which |
| would accommodate future Major League Baseball | | | | honored the most homeruns by a catcher in a single |
| games. Originally called Flushing Meadow Park, the | | | | season. |
| facility was later named Shea Stadium and is now | | | | To this day, discussions often resurface about |
| home to the New York Mets. It's name change was | | | | renovating the home of the New York Mets. |
| inspired by William A. Shea, an attorney who was | | | | Although rich in history and in charm, thoughts of |
| instrumental in the efforts to bring National League | | | | replacing Shea Stadium to build a new home for the |
| baseball back to New York. When construction was | | | | New York Mets have been expressed. At this point, |
| complete, the stadium had cost $25 million and was | | | | nothing has been decided and fans will continue to |
| ready to open it's doors on April 17, 1964. In front of | | | | enjoy the facility that they have come to know for |
| a crowd of more than 48,000 spectators, the New | | | | more than 40 years. |
| York Mets suffered a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the | | | | Collectors who wish to request an autograph from |
| Pirates. | | | | any one of the players on the New York Mets roster |
| Through the years, few cosmetic changes have | | | | should send their letter and a SASE (self-addressed |
| occurred at Shea Stadium. New seats were installed | | | | stamped envelope) to: |
| simply because the aging ones needed replacing but, | | | | Player's Namec/o New York Mets |
| otherwise, the facility is much the same as it | | | | Shea Stadium |
| appeared on opening day more than four decades | | | | 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue |
| ago. Technological advancements made it possible for | | | | Flushing, NY 11368 |
| modern scoreboards and luxury suites, along with the | | | | Fans requesting an autograph should limit their |
| New York Mets Magic Top Hat attraction, which is | | | | request to two items per letter. Popular items to |
| designed to honor homerun hits by one of the New | | | | have signed include photos, index or trading cards, |
| York Mets players. In celebration of each homerun, | | | | baseballs, etc. Patience is key when requesting |
| spectators will see a large red apple rise from the | | | | autographs through the mail, but the best time to |
| hat. | | | | reach an athlete is often during the off-season. |
| The New York Mets and Shea Stadium have | | | | |