The
New York Mets are an icon even people who don’t
follow baseball have heard of, and their home field, Shea
Stadium, has seen a great deal of baseball history. Surprisingly,
neither team nor stadium is a golden oldie in the Major
Leagues. The Mets are an expansion team that joined the
National League in 1961, two years after attorney William
Shea tried to start another baseball league, the Continental.
When his league failed, four of the franchises were accepted
into the Major Leagues.
Originally
named the New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, the name
was shortened almost immediately to New York Mets. The
team played at the storied Polo Grounds for a couple of
years, then began selling baseball tickets at their new
park, Shea Stadium, in 1964.
The
team was best known in those early years for being losers,
even if the fans did love them. However, in 1966, things
began to turn around with the acquisition of Tom Seaver.
His original draft was deemed invalid by the powers that
be, and Seaver was offered to any team willing to match
the contract amount. All the teams citing an interest
were put in a hat and those lovable losers were suddenly
winners.
In
1969 this new winning attitude was on show for all to
see. And people came to see. Mets tickets were hot as
fans clamored to see the “Miracle Mets”. Not
only did the team take first place that season, but they
took the National League pennant for their first appearance
in the World Series, where they beat the Orioles.
After
that, some sluggish years passed with several bad trades,
including trading away the great pitcher Nolan Ryan. Yet
in 1973, the team battled back to the World Series. Ultimately
losing, the Mets still made the A’s play seven games
for that win.
Despite
some standout names such as Rusty Staub and Lee Mazzilli,
the Mets finished the 1970s rather dismally. Owner Joan
Payson died, her husband left the running of the team
to others who then didn’t stay on top of things
and . . . well, at least a new decade came around. New
owners and the acquisition of Dwight Gooden and Darryl
Strawberry helped to rebuild the team, positioning the
Mets to head to, and win, the World Series in 1986.
The
team slumped a bit until 1998, when the Mets acquired
Mike Piazza. Suddenly, the Mets were on another run. In
2000, they played a “Subway Series” World
Series but ultimately lost to the Yankees.
Since
then, the team has again seen some strange trades and
some wonderful players. Currently, there is talk about
building a new ballpark to replace Shea Stadium, which
is the 6th oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. Wherever
they play, the New York Mets are sure to have a devoted
NY fan base who will demand, and receive, a team they’re
proud to call their own.
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