A little history behind this post. Here at Mets Police we have what are called “draft” posts. Those are posts that are either unfinished or just unscheduled. Sometimes one falls off the table.
Last night I was under time pressure to get a post for this morning and decided to see what was sitting in drafts that I could spin up and I found this unfinished post from 2011!
It’s a link to Dave Howard talking about “the Piazza home run”
“It was probably the most special night I’ve spent at a ballpark, with the Mets,” Mets executive vice president David Howard said. “Piazza’s homer, it was magical.”
Originally this would have been a post about Dave with the title “Dave Howard’s most special night at a ballpark was…” WhWbut I have decided to take it in another direction and ask you what your favorite day/night at the ballpark was.
For me it is April 5, 1983 and the return of Seaver. I will get into my experience on the anniversary – or you can just buy my eBook for $3.99 where I wrote about it. Others that pop in my brain are Opening Day 1987, Pendleton, Scioscia and the Seaver 41 retirement ceremony…and I happened to be at Yankee Stadium for Game 5 of the 2001 World Series and I must admit that was a wild ride that night.
What’s your favorite night in the ballpark?
Gosh, there are so many Shannon…
I would rank a 1979 doubleheader in Memorial Stadium very high, even though I was just 11 at the time. The O’s came from behind to win both games, the first on a dramatic walk-off by Eddie Murray that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Still miss Memorial Stadium, and I understand why Mets fans miss Shea.
June 21, 1964, Fathers Day at Shea Stadium. It was a doubleheader and I was with my dad.
Jim Bunning pitched a perfect game against the Mets. I can still remember John Stevenson of the Mets making last out by striking out.
Non – Mets game. Game seven of the Marlins and Indians World Series going into extra innings. I have been to a few World Series games, but never an extra innings game seven.
October 8,2000. Bobby Jones 1 Hitter to clinch the NLDS.
Was running late but got to my seats behind the Giants dugout just in time to see Ventura crush a Homerun.
I say that I was right behind the dugout for a reason. I remember seeing Kent’s hit go over Ventura’s glove so vividly. Little did we all know we were a matter of inches away from a no hitter. Still an awesome night and celebration.
Easy – and it was a day game – July 12, 2008 at Shea, Rockies vs Mets. I don’t really remember the game details other than the Mets winning. This was my Mom’s 71st birthday and what would turn out to be her last baseball game. The memories of that day have been recounted on MetsPolice previously.
A few others that come to mind (all in chronological order):
April 28, 1985 at Shea, Pirates vs Mets. It went 18 innings and featured Daryl’s first career grand slam, and Rusty Staub playing the outfield (and running from left to right depending on who was at bat).
September 17, 1986 at Shea, Cubs vs Mets. The NL East clincher. And yes, as I have admitted on here previously, I was one of the fans that ran on to the field.
August 4, 1985 at Yankee Stadium, White Sox vs Yankees. Tom Seaver’s 300th win. The best part was the sound of “Let’s Go Mets” echoing across the ballpark.
June 30, 2000 at Shea, Braves vs Mets. This was the 10-run comeback game capped by Piazza’s 3-run blast, all in the bottom of the 8th inning
That’s easy…Game 7, 1986. Out of all the big games I’ve been to Shea, and all the games with sell-out crowds, nothing compared to this game.
I’ve never been to a game with the crowd so electric and hyped up.
It was the first time I thought the stadium was bouncing up and down.
While there have been many memorable plays and games at both Shea Stadium and Citi Field, without a doubt, one stands out above all the rest, ahead of seeing Dwight Gooden whiffing almost every batter he face, etc, etc. That night was June 1, 2012 at Citi Field when I saw — in person — Johan Santana’s no-hitter. It was beyond incredible — it was magical, because you can’t plan for something like that. It’s about being in the right place at the right time. I hope my brain doesn’t eventually turn to mush and that I remember it way into old age!