Shea Stadium
The New Shea Stadium Goes Green; What Does It Mean?
A strong and fond memory of being a kid and growing up in New York City was my first trip to Yankee Stadium. You came out of the tunnel that led to the stands and you looked up to see the beautiful blue sky standing in contrast to the white façade above the upper deck. Then your eyes focused downward and the field came into view—and it was the deepest green you could ever imagine. The Stadium really was an urban field of dreams. Recently, major league baseball decided that more than the field should be green.
Baseball is, in many ways, a preindustrial 19th-century sport. Its pace is slow, leaving lots of time for beer and relaxed conversation between pitches and between innings. This week baseball came full circle. Billy Crystal may have stuck out, but he was a Yankee for a day. And this week both the Mets and Major league baseball went green.
The Met’s new stadium, Citi Field, will be built using recycled steel, water efficient plumbing and other green principles. read more »
Shea Gets Another Joel Date, Revisits Clash Concert
Billy Joel just added another concert date to close out Shea Stadium. He'll play another final show on Friday, July 18. The July 16 date was the fastest sell out in Shea history, with than 50,000 tickets sold on www.507TIXX.com in 48 minutes. Tickets for the second go on sale this Saturday, Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. at www.507TIXX.com and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX.
In more Shea-related rock news, a new documentary called The Clash Live: Revolution Rock will air on PBS March 1 at 11 p.m. and March 5 at 2 a.m. It'll be a preview of the April 15 DVD release which will include clips from The Clash's famous 1982 performance at Shea. read more »
Movin' Out! Billy Joel to Play Shea's Last Show
Billy Joel will have those Mets fans feelin' alright at Shea Stadium the night before the all-star game. On July 16th, "The Last Play at Shea," starring the Top 40 star, will be the final concert at the stadium before the Mets move to their new digs at Citi Field.
"Shea Stadium is one of the most hallowed venues in rock and roll history and it's an honor to help throw Shea the ultimate concert farewell party," Mr. Joel said in a statement obtained by the Czar. "As a sports fan and a music lover, I will always have a place for Shea Stadium in my heart. I thank the Mets for giving me and my fans a chance to rock Shea Stadium one last time for the ages." read more »
In the Shadow of Shea
We'll have some Day Two news for you in a moment. In the meantime, here's a shot from yesterday of a couple of fans taking a break from the tennis to listen to Chris "Mad Dog" Russo talking Mets-Phillies.
My Success in Shaping a Baseball Fan
Finding a middle ground involves compromise. For example, I'll need to be updated by a groomsman on the night of our wedding. (Mets vs. Nationals starts 7:10, my wedding starts 7:30.)
Since becoming engaged, I've realized that developing Rachel into a passionate baseball fan might make everyone's life easier. In an effort to familiarize Rachel with our team, the two of us created a chart in the shape of a Shea Stadium. The players (represented by pictures, names, numbers) are positioned on the field on post-it notes. We change the starting pitcher daily.
Now, it's becoming a joy to watch baseball with Rachel because I'm watching with an insightful fan. For example, we braved the cold and wind to see the Mets take the Subway Series from the Yankees. In the eighth inning, down 4-2, the Yankees loaded the bases with nobody out. Derek Jeter hit a sacrifice fly to the right fielder Xavier Nady. With no chance to get the runner at home, Nady's throw to third kept the runner at second base.
As I started to explain she cut me off: "That's huge," said Rachel, already ahead of me, "a fly ball won't tie the game now."
An ex-girlfriend of mine once asked me, "What do you love more, me or baseball?" read more »
Rachel doesn't even have to ask.
