Sad face

Just thought I should put something new up here, you know, in light of recent developments. Plus the Phillies won Game 1 of the NLCS tonight. Christ.

Off-season commentary is forthcoming. In the meantime, feel free to peruse the following links:

-Shameless plug: Me on the Mets getting bounced (maybe you've already read it)

-For video and pictures of the dismantling of Shea, go to:

http://video.wnbc.com/player/?id=720161#videoid=720161
http://sheagoodbye.blogspot.com

It's pretty jarring, actually, to look at these pictures. I haven't spent nearly as much time at Shea as some Mets fans, but it's still where I saw my first baseball game, and it's still where I've seen the majority of baseball games I've attended over the years. I was never actually there for any of the great Mets moments in my lifetime, but it's still the location of some pretty good times connected with the Mets, and I still called it home. A seat that I probably sat in at some point has probably been taken apart by now, a urinal that I probably used removed. And by the time the Mets play another regular season game, all that will be left of Shea is a spray-painted baseline in the Citi Field parking lot.

As Mets fans, we should all take a moment to appreciate the significance of big Shea's date with the wrecking ball. It might not have been the nicest stadium in the world, but it still means something to all of us. Citi Field is going to be great, if expensive, but in the meantime let's take a look at those pictures, and the others like them that will follow, and reflect on what won't be there next season. Let's think about what it will look like the next time the Mets make the playoffs, when the backdrop for the next chapters in Mets history won't be our familiar longtime home. How weird it's going to be. I think it's especially difficult to imagine because Shea has always fit the Mets so perfectly - it's somewhat inferior, and dirty, and second-rate, but it's blue-collar, hardscrabble, definitely lovable, and it's been through a lot. The Mets basically represent that in a baseball team.

At some point I'll go up with a post about my favorite Shea moments. In the meantime, do yourselves all a favor and take a moment to reflect.

RIP, Big Shea.




(Images courtesy metstradamus.blogspot.com, sheagoodbye.blogspot.com)