A team wins a championship, cops on horseback circle the field, and the fans applaud politely in the stands. At least that’s the process now.
25 years ago it was a little different, at least for one night.
When the Mets clinched the NL East the fans (admittedly yours truly among them) swarmed on to the field and proceeded to tear it apart. When the police finally forced people off the field it was a disaster. (I saw one guy who had literally rolled up several feet of turf and was carrying it on the 7 train).
Pete Flynn, who recently retired as the Mets head groundskeeper, was a miracle man, as portrayed by Bill Gallo.
Pete Flynn – MVP – Most Valuable Planter!
that “day after” was my first game. it was complete patchwork in the outfield grass
A few weeks ago Shannon had a 1986 highlight video…in it, Pete was seen being furious that day, saying the fans didn’t deserve a championship. It was funny…I bet Pete would laugh if he saw it.
when the fans went crazy that night, that waws the end of the fans ‘storming the field after the game” that was lets act stupid take the field. for many years in base ball fans have celebrated by taking the field. i was at shea in 1969 when the mets won the world series nothing but love. in 1973 after game 5 vs. the reds …that was a riot. i was at yankee stadium for the chambliss walk off homer and tried to take a piece of the fence home.!!
cop-where are you going with that?
me-home
Wow…you were at all the big ones.
I was at the last Jet home game at Shea…fans were taking the outfield benches and it was scary.
when the mets clinched the division title in 1969,first base was the only base the fans could not pull up.2nd base,third base and home were taken…just goes to show ya…you can’t steal first base.