The Mets will recognize the legacy of William A. Shea in a pregame, on-field ceremony prior to the final Opening Day at Shea Stadium – the Mets’ home since 1964 named in his honor – Tuesday, April 8 before the Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies.
Thirty members of the Shea family spanning three generations will return the facility named after their family patriarch to unveil the Shea name above the left-field wall.
The circular logo with the name “Shea” will be located alongside the only retired numbers in the 45 seasons of Shea Stadium: Casey Stengel’s 37, Gil Hodges’ 14, Tom Seaver’s 41, and Jackie Robinson’s 42.
The recognition of all five honors will carry over to Citi Field, the Mets’ new ballpark, opening in 2009.
Bill Shea Jr. will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to 1:10 p.m. game, and William A. Shea’s grandsons will participate in the unveiling ceremony.
Other members of the Shea family will present Willie Randolph with the annual “good luck” floral horseshoe prior to the game. The Shea family has presented the floral horseshoe to the club’s manager since the team moved from the Polo Grounds into Shea in 1964.
The Mets in November unveiled the commemorative Shea Stadium logo which the team will wear for all 2008 home games.
Shea was an attorney and the driving force to bring National League baseball back to New York City after the departure of the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957. He spearheaded New York City Mayor Robert Wagner’s four-man baseball task force, which helped form the proposed rival Continental League.
Major League Baseball granted New York a National League expansion franchise in 1960 and the Continental League agreed to disband. The Mets began play in 1962, and moved to Shea Stadium two years later.
Shea was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1983. He died at age 84 on Oct. 2, 1991.