SHEA GOODBYE....ALL TIME METS MAKE THE DAY

I had to put aside the 2008 Mets and not them ruin the closing ceromonies for me. It was one of my greatest moments at Shea to see so many Met greats of the past assemble on the field for the last time. I shed a tear when Tom Seaver threw out the last pitch to Mike Piazza, and the two walked off into centerfield & closed the gates to the Beatles "In My Life".

So many players from the 1969, 1973 & 1986 teams were present and some newer guys from the 2000 team. Its about time we all put aside the hard feelings we had for Dwight Gooden & remember how great he was in his prime. It was very emotional to see him at Shea again.

For me it was the 1969/1973 Mets that made the day. Besides my favorite of all time Tom Seaver, there were legends Willie Mays, & Yogi Berra. Another Met whos number should be retired Jerry Koosman, the great shortstop Bud Harrelson, The longest career Met Ed Kranepool, the man who hit .340 in 1969 Cleon Jones, one of the most under rated players of all time and such a key player in the 1973 team-Rusty Staub, the Glider Ed Charles, the 3rd baseman on both 69/73 teams Wayne Garrett, the 69 right field platoon of Swoboda/Shamsky. A great singles hitter second baseman Felix Millan, and how the hell did they pull "the Stork" George Theodore out!!!! Wow.

Then the 1986 bad boys, Hernandez, Carter, Staw, Doctor K, Ron Darling, HoJo, Bobby O, Jesse Orosco, Nails, Mazzilli, El Sid, Tim Tueful, Wally Backman.
It was great to see other Mets from various points in history: Dave Kingman was awesome, Ron Hunt, John Stearns, Doug Flynn, Craig Swan, Jack Fisher, Frank Thomas, Al Jackson, Jim McAndrew.

And somehow its been 8 years since the last Pennant and great to see Alfonzo, Ventura, Ziele, Franco, Leiter, and one of my other favorites of all time the next Met Hall of Famer Mike Piazza.

I enjoyed the tributes & honors given to Ralph Kiner, Pete Flynn (groundskeeper), The Shea family, Bobs wife Joy Murphy, Tommie Agee's wife & daughter, Tugs kids, & Gil Hodges wife & son.

It was a great way to close out Sheas history. It was awesome for me. The future entries on this blog will continue to honor the Mets that were present. All in all I will miss Shea and have alot of memories that will forever be in my heart.....................................................