Shea Stadium

[vertigone]

[QUOTE=vertigone;1418939]A week or two after the season ended, I was out there, and there was a fence surrounding the entire perimeter of the property, with security guards stationed at the entrance to the parking lot. I believe this was still within the 15 days that Meigray had to strip everything out of the stadium, so the intent was probably to discourage looters or something.QUOTE]

- to add - I figured it was going to stay that way to the end, so i was happily surprised when the security let up, the fence came down (and then partially went up again?!), and they allowed people to get as close as that blue fence without issue.

[BillDuff]

We had a Wetsons in Norwalk, CT. back in the 60s and 70s

I believe it was "Wessons"

[BillDuff]

Thread is dead so I added old video to bring it back to life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwS0l_7XRp0

[Oct251986]

Great video Bill!

[nymdan]

Anyway, I asked the two guards if I could just take one step inside the fence so i could get a quick unobstructed shot of the stadium. The urgency with which they told me "no" was unbelievable. It was as if they'd waited their entire lives to have authority over anything, that they could barely contain themselves when the moment came. In fact it was so over the top ridiculous, that one of the guards then offered to take the picture for me - which misses the point entirely.

If these guys' jobs are to keep people from coming inside the fence, why should they let you in? It's not fair to expect them to put their jobs in jeopardy, which is probably what would happen if their supervisor walked by if they let you in, even if it was directly inside the fence. In fact, that was pretty nice of him to offer to take the shot for you.

[NeoExelor]

If these guys' jobs are to keep people from coming inside the fence, why should they let you in? It's not fair to expect them to put their jobs in jeopardy, which is probably what would happen if their supervisor walked by if they let you in, even if it was directly inside the fence. In fact, that was pretty nice of him to offer to take the shot for you.

Just the code of culture today. Authority figures, police, guards, and the like are not seen as there to help anybody, but seen just as an obstruction.

[vertigone]

If these guys' jobs are to keep people from coming inside the fence, why should they let you in? It's not fair to expect them to put their jobs in jeopardy, which is probably what would happen if their supervisor walked by if they let you in, even if it was directly inside the fence. In fact, that was pretty nice of him to offer to take the shot for you.

Fair point, but if you were there that cold, desolate Sunday afternoon, at the very corner of the parking lot, you would know that nobody's job would be in jeopardy had they allowed me a quick courtesy 12" of space to take a photo - and I did ask politely.

But you're absolutely right, they were within their right to tell me no, in the same way that an usher has the right to see my ticket with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th of a rainy, blowout when i move down a few rows - but sometimes reason can enter the equation.

I guess I'd make a bad security guard.

[mattygnym]

Just the code of culture today. Authority figures, police, guards, and the like are not seen as there to help anybody, but seen just as an obstruction.

Security guards are schmucks for the most part. Especially at Shea. I remember once during a rain delay when I was 17 me and a bunch of my friends were walking around the concourse, not doing anything at all, just talking and he goes "Just reminding you guys this isn't a playground". I then pointed to an old guy and said "if it was him walking would of you said it to him? I bet not" and demanded to see his supervisor. He apologized to me and I went on with my day, but that incident I will never forget. Power hungry people who like to label people.

[bluenautica]

Security guards are schmucks for the most part. Especially at Shea. I remember once during a rain delay when I was 17 me and a bunch of my friends were walking around the concourse, not doing anything at all, just talking and he goes "Just reminding you guys this isn't a playground". I then pointed to an old guy and said "if it was him walking would of you said it to him? I bet not" and demanded to see his supervisor. He apologized to me and I went on with my day, but that incident I will never forget. Power hungry people who like to label people.

hahaha, good one, at least you got him to apologize

[tugger]

I remember once during a rain delay when I was 17 me and a bunch of my friends were walking around the concourse, not doing anything at all, just talking and he goes "Just reminding you guys this isn't a playground".

Yeah, I remember when I was 17 and me and my friends were "not doing anything at all." It always meant we were up to something.

[OffTheTable65]

In general, it's pretty risky naming something (even a website) for something named by a corporate sponsor. too many moving parts, even without the bad economy we face. the signs should say "Willets Point - Stadium" for the subway, and on the highway, have something removable to make an easy change.

I have to agree...better to keep it generic than run the risk of name changes.

Washington, DC does this for all of their sports venues, for example...and in some cases, the venue isn't even listed at all. Nationals Park is at the "Navy Yard" Metro stop...RFK Stadium is at "Stadium-Armory"...and the Verizon (formerly MCI) Center is at "Gallery Pl-Chinatown."

I don't necessarily like the idea that you kind of have to dig to find the particular venue in these instances...but if the MTA were to list it as "Willets Pt.-Stadium" or "Willets Pt.-Mets Ballpark," then I think that would properly convey the message...without finding yourself in danger of changing it down the road.

EDIT ADDITION: The caveat, of course, could be that Citi sent some of its advertising $$ to the NYC-MTA (in a deal separate from the Mets)...to ensure that its brand is placed on any new signage. That wouldn't necessarily be unheard of...as long as Citi made it worth the MTA's trouble.

[Bruce Boisclair]

its gonna be even wierder not seeing that UHAUL building when someone hits a homerun

You mean the Zerval Zipper sign. lol

[410 FT]

BronxMetFan, no longer can you drive south on the Sheridan Expressway straigtaway near Spofford and spy a quick look left,past Rikers island and see the small silhouette of Shea. Everytime I drove on that straightaway I took a quick look and saw Shea from the furthest point on land. Its barely recognizable. We will soon know what Ebbets Field and Polo Grounds fans feel.

[Jim Vaz]

BronxMetFan, no longer can you drive south on the Sheridan Expressway straigtaway near Spofford and spy a quick look left,past Rikers island and see the small silhouette of Shea. Everytime I drove on that straightaway I took a quick look and saw Shea from the furthest point on land. Its barely recognizable. We will soon know what Ebbets Field and Polo Grounds fans feel.

I don't think they feel much of anything these days...

[ubinfl]

You mean the Zerval Zipper sign. lol

A serious generation gap happening here lol. But thats a good thing in my opinion.

[410 FT]

Well, I'm willing to bet there a few still alive if that's what you're referring to. Anyway there are numerous groups on Yahoo that are devoted to each stadium and the talk is that we will soon know what the anguish was all about when their old park was brought down. Like we have to suffer in kind for some bizarre reason.

[LINYUSA]

You mean the Zerval Zipper sign. lol

Serval Zipper Blog - not online yet, but endorsed by The Ed Kranepool Society:

http://www.kranepoolsociety.com/2008...l-zipper-blog/

[mattygnym]

Yeah, I remember when I was 17 and me and my friends were "not doing anything at all." It always meant we were up to something.

Usually, yeah we were, however this time we were up to absolutely nothing. I would of never done anything risky at Shea, I valued going to games way too much to risk that.

[LINYUSA]

A serious generation gap happening here lol. But thats a good thing in my opinion.

Its called "The Circle of Life"

[ubinfl]

Well, I'm willing to bet there a few still alive if that's what you're referring to. Anyway there are numerous groups on Yahoo that are devoted to each stadium and the talk is that we will soon know what the anguish was all about when their old park was brought down. Like we have to suffer in kind for some bizarre reason.

I do find it sad whenever an old ballpark is torn down. I dont know if I'd call it suffering but to this day, even though I was very young, I feel a twang inside whenever I see photos of Ebbets Field or The Polo Grounds being ripped apart. Whenever I'm in town I try as often as possible to drive by each of those two sites recalling the great moments in Baseball History that took place at those locations. I guess it's a historical thing for me. I love the history of baseball and surely the tearing down of both Shea Stadium and eventually Yankee Stadium will leave a void as well. But for me, the demolition of Shea Stadium is the hardest of all to take.

[Jim Vaz]

Well, I'm willing to bet there a few still alive if that's what you're referring to. Anyway there are numerous groups on Yahoo that are devoted to each stadium and the talk is that we will soon know what the anguish was all about when their old park was brought down. Like we have to suffer in kind for some bizarre reason.

Hey 410, yea I was just trying to make a bad joke...


I will be honest though, while I'm sure there will be some who share that sentiment with Shea, I just don't see it as much. You have to remember when Ebbetts came down they not only lost a great park, but also a great team. Brooklyn died in many ways the day the Dodgers left town. Polo Grounds to a lesser extent with the Giants when they left, and the Mets as well in 1964.

I think in the end, after several years and a different instant gratification society today, I just think many people will eventually forget about Shea for the most part. There will be some of course who will keep the memory alive, including this site!

[bdhact1]

Where is Ken Burns when you need him ?

[ubinfl]

Hey 410, yea I was just trying to make a bad joke...


I will be honest though, while I'm sure there will be some who share that sentiment with Shea, I just don't see it as much. You have to remember when Ebbetts came down they not only lost a great park, but also a great team. Brooklyn died in many ways the day the Dodgers left town. Polo Grounds to a lesser extent with the Giants when they left, and the Mets as well in 1964.

I think in the end, after several years and a different instant gratification society today, I just think many people will eventually forget about Shea for the most part. There will be some of course who will keep the memory alive, including this site!

I agree with you about your thoughts on Ebbets Field and The Polo Grounds. Losing both the Stadiums AND the teams had to have been rediculously tough!! IM not so sure about "forget" but I know that we will all eventually move on. And yes this site has been a God send for us out of town Mets Fans!!!

[CoreyNYC]

Security guards are schmucks for the most part. Especially at Shea. I remember once during a rain delay when I was 17 me and a bunch of my friends were walking around the concourse, not doing anything at all, just talking and he goes "Just reminding you guys this isn't a playground". I then pointed to an old guy and said "if it was him walking would of you said it to him? I bet not" and demanded to see his supervisor. He apologized to me and I went on with my day, but that incident I will never forget. Power hungry people who like to label people.

Reminds me of an "incident" I had at Shea this season. I was standing just off the ramp in LF on the field level with my 2 friends watching Wagner close out the bottom of the 9th.

There was a joke of a security guard there (a dwarf, literally) who insisted that we move. There was already 1 out at this point. I said to him quite nicely & calmly, "can't we just watch the end here so then we can run right out to our car in the lot" (which was the honest truth)? I also pointed out that you are allowed to stand in RF without a hassle.

Now keep in mind, we are still not on the field level concourse, we are basically in between the ramp and the concourse.

He tells us again to move. We repeat that we are just going to watch the end of the game for a minute and we will be gone. He then walks away and comes back with 2 more guards who ask us what the problem is. By now it is 2 outs.

We calmly and nicely tell them we just want to watch the end of the game from back here so we can make a quick escape from the lot. These two guys didn't have the Napoleon complex of the dwarf and said it was OK...about :20 later, the game is over.

[bobo4444]

Reminds me of an "incident" I had at Shea this season. I was standing just off the ramp in LF on the field level with my 2 friends watching Wagner close out the bottom of the 9th.

There was a joke of a security guard there (a dwarf, literally) who insisted that we move. There was already 1 out at this point. I said to him quite nicely & calmly, "can't we just watch the end here so then we can run right out to our car in the lot" (which was the honest truth)? I also pointed out that you are allowed to stand in RF without a hassle.

Now keep in mind, we are still not on the field level concourse, we are basically in between the ramp and the concourse.

He tells us again to move. We repeat that we are just going to watch the end of the game for a minute and we will be gone. He then walks away and comes back with 2 more guards who ask us what the problem is. By now it is 2 outs.

We calmly and nicely tell them we just want to watch the end of the game from back here so we can make a quick escape from the lot. These two guys didn't have the Napoleon complex of the dwarf and said it was OK...about :20 later, the game is over.

I never had any problems with the cops/guards at Shea. In fact when I was a kid (12 to 17 or so) my friends and I would always go to Gate E offer the cops a few bucks and they would generally let the whole group of us in. We would start out in the Upper Deck (general admission before that became a nomadic section) and slowly start to work our way down, a few at a time. Most times, as long as you weren't being a pain, the ticket takers/guards would leave you alone. Especially in the 70's, the "crowds" were few and far between, even if the legitimate ticket holder came you just had to slide over.

I hated when they put the Field level gates up and parked security at the Field Level/Lodge meeting point.

They would get some real schmucks at these game though, I remember being able to go to the edge of the stadium (before they sealed it) and overlook the bull pens, and see people tossing beer and other crap on/at the visiting Pitcher and catcher while they were warming up. ahhh the good old days...