Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By: Tessa Perry Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: There's nothing like walking out of
that tunnel and seeing the green grass and lights of the ballpark!
Shea is great, I've been to 18 ballparks in my travels and seen some
classics (Wrigley, Fenway,) as well as some new stadiums (pnc park,
citizens bank ballpark,) but nothing comes close to Shea, home to my
METS and pretty much my second home for the past 20 years. I've
spent many days and nights at the ballpark and love the familiar
sounds of the jets flying overhead and cowbell man ringing his
cowbell! There is always something going on between innings,
(learning Spanish with professor reyes, t-shirt launch, kiss-cam and
a bunch of contests for the fans.) I love how they have a fan fest
before every weekend game for the kids and how if you get to the
ballpark early enough you can get a spot behind the dugout and get
some autographs, (or even David Wright's batting glove!) They are an
extremely fan friendly organization, Mr. Met is the 2nd best mascot
(sorry, the Phanatic is awesome,) and it's a historical stadium.
Long after Shea is gone we'll still be able to hear that fateful
Buckner call and the roar of 55,000 elated fans!
Cons of the ballpark: The food isn't great, the lines are
long for concessions and bathrooms and the back row mezzanine seats
have a terrible view of the field. Also, (this just started to be a
problem this year with the start of construction to the new
ballpark,) parking and traffic are a mess. you have to get there
really early to be able to get a free spot, or any spot at all, for
that matter.
Additional Comments: Shea will forever be a part of Mets
history and we'll never forget it even after they knock it down (I
will cry that day!) It's been such a big part of my life that I plan
on naming my first daughter Shea. LETS GO METS!!!!!!
Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By:
Gary Grade:
B
Pros of the ballpark: All seats (except for the field level)
are designed along radial lines, facing second base.
Cons of the ballpark: The official club policy of not
allowing fans onto the Field Level unless you have a ticket for a
Field Level seat. With the increased interest in ballparks these
days, there are many fans such as myself who would like to be able
to walk around the Field Level and take pictures. Front row seats in
the Loge Reserve and the 200-numbered Outer Field Boxes have an
aisle in front of them, so fans in those seats have to deal with
other fans, vendors, security, &c. walking in front of them
throughout the game.
Additional Comments: I am a Mets fan and Shea is the ballpark
I'm most familiar with; that's part of the reason for my grade. To
the fans who complain about the obstructed views from the back rows
of the Loge and Mezzanine levels, the Mets advertise these seats as
obstructed view and sell them for a reduced price. The reason the
Mets Apple beyond the centerfield wall comes out of a top hat is
because, when it was first installed in 1982, the Mets' advertising
campaign was "The magic is real," so it was supposed to be a big
apple (for NY, The Big Apple) instead of a rabbit coming out of a
magician's hat. (The panel that says "HOME RUN" used to say "Mets
Magic.")
Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By: Jorge
Assante Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: Shea is easily accessible by train, car, or
boat! The staff is quite helpful and courteous which is more than I
can say about the staff at the park across town. The park is a
classic cookie cutter so there are really no bad seats, I mean you'd
have to be sitting on top of the lights to complain. The food is
amazing especially Mama's of Corona's turkey sandwiches with fresh
mozzarella cheese on field level behind 3rd plate. Concession stand
lines are a bit long but the staff moves you along surprisingly
fast! And the food is a tad pricey but well worth it, portions are
good and the food is wonderful! Mr. Met - best darn mascot EVER!! He
needs to wrestle with the Philly Phanatic! The MAGIC TOP HAT with
the Apple - CLASSIC!!! I want one in my house but I don't really hit
home runs out of my apartment :) Finally - The Fans - we're louder
than the jets flying over our heads departing from nearby LaGuardia
Airport, you're SUPPOSED to be loud at a game, and if you have to yell over airplanes, then you just have to get MORE
into the game. The most unique experience in all of the parks in the
majors!
Cons of the ballpark: Eh, Shea is getting old, it happens,
but they do their best to keep it in top notch shape for the fans,
you don't feel like the place is going to crumble if you do The
Wave. The infamous bathroom shortage is annoying at times. The seats
are a bit old as well but hey, we didn't come to sit in comfy seats,
we're here for BASEBALL!!!
Additional Comments: Cow-Bell Man is the best fan in all of
Baseball - he is there every home game at Shea pumping up the crowd
with his famous cow-bell - complete with an array of NY METS Jerseys
that say COWBELL MAN. You can even hear him on TV Broadcasts from
Shea.
Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By:
Chris Swann Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: Going to multiple games a year at Shea
is nothing to be upset about. Given its age, it still remains as one
of the most unique ballpark experiences; while a relic of YESERDAY,
it does not, however, fail to live up to the demands commanded by
the baseball fan of TODAY. There is the infamous Mr. Met, baseball's
sole owner of the biggest following, biggest heart, and of course,
biggest head; The Cow-Bell Man, complete with his bell and
assortment of personalized "COWBELL MAN" jerseys (I stood and talked
to him for 15 minutes at a recent game while waiting to get an
autograph from Joe Ganoscoli (Vito from the Sopranos)...One of the
single-nicest fans you can meet); There is of course the home run
apple, the mammoth 75-foot tall scoreboard in right, the Tommy Agee
marker in the upper deck (only home run ever hit into the upper deck
at Shea,) the "picnic area," though no-longer the widely known and
loved "PEPSI Picnic Area." Shea is of course old, and its tradition
is limited to events such as the '69 Mets, the '73 Ya Gotta Believe
Mets, and the '86 Mets. It has hosted the Mets, Jets, Beatles, a
Subway Series, the Pope, Billy Graham, The Stones, Elton John,
Springsteen, Bill Buckner, AND even the Yankees called it home from
1974-75 and for a game in 1998. Let's not forget, in September 2001,
it was used as a staging area by the Red Cross as well as Bobby
Valentine and Mets players/coaches aiding in the aftermath of 9/11.
Shea doesn't exactly command the history of that "other" stadium in
the Boogie-Down Bronx, but any New Yorker, baseball fan or not, from
the past 44 years can appreciate what Shea has meant to the team and
the town.
Cons of the ballpark: Obviously, with a stadium built in 1962
will come complaints from a person living in 2006. In 44 years, the
stadium has shown its age. Its bathroom situation is totally
inadequate, the concessions areas are lacking, and the concourses
are tight and narrow, easily crowded at the end of a game and
especially behind home plate on the field level. Even walking
through the main entrances into the stadium, one has to look up at
the cavernous concrete shell of the building and wonder what god is
smiling down on the Mets and keeping the building standing. The
sightlines are poor near the foul poles, specifically in the
Mezzanine (3rd) and Upper (4th) Decks of the staggered-tier stadium.
If you sit in the outfield in these decks, sit as far down in the
row as you can, otherwise your only indication of a play made near
the wall below you will be from the fans reactions (the video board
doesn't show live footage.)
Additional Comments: Shea is a part of New York baseball
lore, in a way not seen since the last National League parks were
here (Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field.) It has its moments, for the
most part positive. There is nothing better than a packed house of
55,000+ fans screaming over the sound of planes flying on approach
to LaGuardia, while the Mets take on the Yankees in a May/June
Subway Series. There is also nothing like the suspense of a late
September series against the Braves, fighting to finally beat their
nemesis. The stadium has been through a lot, and its tombstone
already has a date on it. However, the only thing missing is what
other history can be packed into its obituary before the wrecking
ball comes to make way for the parking lot of the new ballpark in
2009. Will the new stadium live up to the legacy of Shea? Maybe. And
with its complete list of amenities, it will probably surpass Shea
in terms of "fan experience and comfort." However, there is no
comparing what this stadium has seen, hosted, and survived through,
all during the golden age of baseball. LET'S GO METS!!!
Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By:
Mike Grade:
B
Pros of the ballpark: I'm a huge Mets fan, and I love Shea.
I had been to Yankee, Fenway, Citizens Bank, and AT&T, and none of
them allow the family-friendly atmosphere as well as Shea. Also,
there are many great seats, and the scoreboards and the events
in-between innings are great. Spanish with professor Reyes! Ha! I
go to a lot of games, and the seats are roomy, comfortable, and
spacious. We fans are fair, and enthusiastic. My favorite part is
during the seventh inning, when Omar Minaya and the owner Fred
Wilpon sometimes throw crackerjacks and popcorn out of their box
down to the stands.
Cons of the ballpark: From a good seat, Shea is great, with a
nice field and scoreboard. Unfortunately, the outside of Shea is a
bit bland, and the symmetrical design is a little boring. Finally,
although there are good views, the seats are less-vertical then
other stadiums, resulting in seats farther away from the field.
Additional Comments: Shea gives a great baseball experience.
I attended my first game when I was 3, and I've loved it ever
since. I'm looking forward to the new stadium in 2009, but I'll
keep loving Shea until then. Lets go Mets!
Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By: Greg Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: Shea is an incredible ballpark. Most people
don't like it just because its an old fashioned cookie cutter, but
there more to Shea than that. It's one of the loudest and most fan
enthusiastic parks in all of baseball, (and I don't mean the Jets
flying overhead) and the fans tell it like it is. If your doing
something wrong they'll let you know, but they are very loud and
support the Mets till the end. The airplanes going overhead are
great addition to the Shea atmosphere.
Cons of the ballpark: The only con I have is getting out of
the parking lot, but that's it. It's one of the nicest fields in
baseball!
Additional Comments: If you don't like Shea because it looks
a little dirty, fans actually boo the home team, and its a cookie
cutter, than you are not a baseball fan. If you don't like it go to
Citizens bank park, you can feel like your at a billionaire party.
They won the game with a walkoff, gave a clap and left. Nothing like
Shea, period.
Ballpark Visited: Shea Stadium Submitted By:
Charlie Grade:
C
Pros of the ballpark: In essence it's a historical stadium.
Some of the most underrated greats have played here as well as some
players who weren't recognized until later in their carreer. (Nolan
Ryan, Tommy Agee, Tom Seaver) Shea has been a landmark for Queens,
NY for almost four decades, despite their more popular neighbors
(whether you love 'em or hate 'em) in the Bronx. It's subtle changes
over the years have been welcome rather than a full new stadium.
Cons of the ballpark: In all, it's old. New York is trying
to hold on to it's 3/4 cookie-cutter stadium and just build on to
it. The decks seem mashed together, and the upper deck is too
steep. The old Jets game seats are sitting on a rusty foundation
and, even as a child, going to Met games I wondered "What is that
thing in right field, behind the scoreboard?!"
Additional Comments: Even though I love the Yanks, My dad's
company used to give him company box tickets at least three times a
summer. I used to love going, because we sat front row, right
behind First base. It was there, I caught balls from Keith
Hernandez, John Kruk, Bill Robinson and Randy Meyers. It was also
where my dad taught me how to keep score, and heckle players. Above
all it's, where we bonded, Father and son, sharing America's
pastime. I hope that one day I can share that same bond with my own
kids.
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: John Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: I absolutely love Shea Stadium. Mostly
because it is my home town park and where my favorite team resides.
But there are a lot of objective reasons also. One of the biggest
attractions to me are the jets that fly overhead throughout the
game. They fly so close you can almost see your reflection in
them. It adds a great deal of mystique to the park and is the most
unique feature of any park in baseball. No one else has it. They
aren't too loud that you can't continue to enjoy the game, nor so
frequent that it gets old. I've been to dozens of games at Shea and
I've never felt it was a bad thing. After all, it's a ball park,
not a library! Another pro is the variety of fan appreciation
events they have: cap nights, Italian, Irish, Asian, Merengue
nights, bobbleheads, fireworks. It's really fun to go to the park
on those nights. There is extremely easy access by car and subway
and if you don't want to pay, you can see the park from the
footbridge access to the subway station. The hot dogs are great.
The fans are great. The seats are not too cramped. The giant
scoreboard and diamond vision are fantastic and recently renovated
with new technology. The sound system is deafening. The outfield
is cavernous. The colors are bright and beautiful. Bring your
radio and listen to the game while it unfolds in front of you and
you have the two greatest broadcasters in the business painting the
word picture for you in Gary Cohen and Howie Rose (and formerly the
great Bob Murphy). Mr. Met is the man! What can I say, I'm a fan!
It's a great stadium. Just gritty enough and just pretty enough.
Cons of the ballpark: All that isn't to say that there could
be improvements. The gripe about the bathrooms is a legitimate
one. They are small and crowded and usually in pretty sorry shape.
I've been to Camden Yards (to many, the benchmark for great parks)
and it is has some amenities that Shea lacks. One great thing about
Camden Yards is that you can see the game from just about anywhere
on the grounds. What people miss, though, is that great sprawling
view of the field that opens up in front of you as you go through
the tunnel-like passages from the outer walkway/concession areas and
into the seating areas. Besides, they have the tv broadcast of the
game playing on tv sets throughout all of the concession areas. But
these are supposed to be cons. OK. Here is my biggest con: In
certain sections high up on the Mezzanine area, you don't have a
good view of the field because the upper deck hangs over top of
you. This is a big one for me and I don't sit in those areas. When
you go to Shea be sure to sit in the lower levels or the upper deck,
or the front boxes of the Mezz. and you'll see just how great a park
it is.
Additional Comments: Let's Go Mets!
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Andrew Gaines Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Shea Stadium is full of pros. It's a
nice, old-fashioned ballpark with a great history. The name "Shea"
is so original, unlike "SBC Park" or "U.S. Cellular Field". These
names mean nothing. The name is so meaningful. The ushers are very
helpful and friendly, and everything has easy-access. The parking is
very well set up and there is always a place to park. The big apple
and giant scoreboard are signature, and it's simply just a
comfortable and easy place to watch a baseball game. The loud
airplanes flying overhead is one of the coolest things about Shea
Stadium. They get so loud, that no one can hear the game. It's
great. The food is especially good, and the number one pro is that
there's not a bad seat in the house. Nothing says New York like Shea
Stadium.
Cons of the ballpark: There is nothing bad about Shea
Stadium. The only thing bad about the ballpark is the GMs inside it
that make the stupidest choices in trying to build a decent baseball
team.
Additional Comments: Those of you who don't like Shea Stadium
are ignorant. You don't know a good ballpark when you see one. You
have no sense of history and probably aren't real baseball fans
anyway. It's and old-fashioned ballpark, and an old-fashioned
ballpark is always supposed to be filthy, with peanut shells and
dirt all over the ground. I recommend Shea Stadium if you just want
to watch a good baseball game.
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Ryan McNeil Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: Shea is the antidote for Yankee
Stadium. The place is bright and open, all seats and levels are easy
to access, there is lots of variety for food- and at this park the
food is actually TASTY! The ushers are friendly and very helpful,
and the stadium is very easy to access by Subway (if you want to
drive, it's also helpful that there is a massive parking lot right
outside).
Cons of the ballpark: Unless I just didn't see it, I don't
believe there is a team store that is accessible from the outside of
the park. One thing about my ballpark experience that took some
getting used to was where I sat. The first and second tier of filed
level seats are divided by a (very handy) walkway. Unfortunately, if
you're sitting in the first row of seats behind this walkway, seeing
past the people walking back and forth can be tricky. If you're
sitting in this first row of seats, don't count on getting a good
view of the first few batters...once all the stragglers take their
seats it's not so bad.
Additional Comments: Not the prettiest ballpark I've been to,
nor the most historic. But easily the most fun. The fans here are as
passionate as it gets, and don't have the same hostility as the
Bronx Faithful uptown. The jets flying low overhead in and out of
nearby LaGuardia give Shea a lot of character, this is a New York
experience that is not to be missed.
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Dan Grade: C
Pros of the ballpark: Shea Stadium is a nice Stadium but it
has it faults. 1.)Great Seats from anywhere in the ballpark and the
upper levels seats are very good and has a nice view of the field
and the parking lot. 2.) Easy to find your seats.
Cons of the ballpark: 1)Is a pain to get to and getting back
on to the trains after the games and is impossible and a pain in the
neck to do. 2) The ushers are not exactly easy to deal with and are
not very helpful. 3) There are not many bathrooms and they are very
small and always packed. And last but not least, the food choices
are very limited and very expensive and so are the tickets so bring
your wallet.
Additional Comments: Shea Stadium is starting to show it's
age and I think the Mets will soon get a new one soon. I hope
anyway. Overall it's an ok stadium.
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Chris Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: The ballpark is great! The atmosphere
is very comfortable and the fans are the best fans in the world.
There hasn't been a time I've been to Shea and not met some new and
awesome people. Though the park is getting old, I love it that way.
The Home Run Apple, as well as the Cow Bell Man (guy that walks
around getting the crowd going and banging a cowbell) are the
highlights. Aside from watching those Amazin' Mets, there is so much
more to do at Shea. My friends often attend games "just for the
experience." There is so much going on at once, you could never be
bored- from the airplanes flying overhead to the little trivia's and
fan giveaways between innings, we always have a great time. The
ticket prices are much more affordable than those at Yankee Stadium,
plus you'll have much more fun at Shea anyway. Also, Shea is very
easily accessible by public transportation or by car. Once you
visit, you'll be hooked!
Cons of the ballpark: It does take a while to get out of the
stadium after the game, especially if you're in one of the upper
levels. This is because no one is in a rush to end their night and
go back home, so they buy souvenirs. Other than that, I can't think
of any cons to Shea.
Additional Comments: The atmosphere rocks!! I just had to say
that again. Take a trip to Shea!
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: JD Grade: D
Pros of the ballpark: I am a huge Mets Fan so even though I
am a teenager Mr.Met still brings joy to the ballpark. Decent ball
club on the field causes a better excitement at Shea.
Cons of the ballpark: I hate the Homerun Apple their is not a
good thing to say about it. Look at all the other ballparks they
shoot fireworks, water, etc. when their team get a Homer. But, the
Mets are pulling an apple out of a Hat?? That's stupid!!!
Additional Comments: Great seats, nothing besides Mr.Met to
get the fans pumped up.
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Peter Karalis Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: The name is very original. Shea
Stadium, unlike Citizens Bank Park or Miller Park (bad news is, when
the Mets move to their new $800 million ballpark, it will be named
after a corporate sponsor). No bad seats in the park. On Wednesday,
you can get into the picnic area with a Pepsi can. The Mets play
there. No matter what anyone says, Shea Stadium has the best history
behind it. The neon lights on the outside are beautiful. The "Big
Apple" that pops out of the "Mets Magic Top Hat" with every Mets
homerun. The planes that fly over give the ballpark a lot of
personality.
Cons of the ballpark: Here are no outfield seats. Those are
the best things to see in an outfield. Especially after a homer on a
sold out night. All the electricity comes from the outfield (lucky
Shea's in New York or you'd hear nothing out of Shea).
Additional Comments: Go Mets!
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Super Modes Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: I've always found Shea to be extremely
easy to get to. There is also a little known secret to get free
parking right next to the stadium. Food at any stadium is always
going to be expensive, but the food at Shea actually really good.
There are also some less common ballpark food stands selling Italian
sausage and even sushi. I have had seats in every section of this
park. The highest seats in the house aren't as high as they seem,
and even from the highest possible row, you won't feel like you're
that far away from the action. The fans at Shea are far friendlier
than other parks I've been to. If you see Cowbell Man, be sure to
shake his hand and get a picture with him. You can also hear his
cowbell on tv if you watch a Mets game. All ushers have towels to
clean your seat if it is dirty when you arrive.
Cons of the ballpark: It's time for new seats. They're not
in horrific shape, but they definitely show their age. They could
also stand to be cleaned from time to time, bus as stated above, all
you have to do is tell an usher and they clean it right off for
you. Traffic is always an issue, but that's NY. I come from NJ and
have to pass Yankee stadium on the way home, so I often get double
game traffic. Lucky me. As for the stadium itself, it could be a
little cleaner. That's my only real complaint.
Additional Comments: The grounds crew is fantastic, the field
is always beautiful. Shea is a perfect C shape so if your seats are
far from the plate, it's not such a bad thing and you won't leave
with a stiff neck. The farther you get from the plate, you'll
actually wind up facing it after a while. The free parking trick is
one of the best Shea secrets, and if you're lucky, you might find
Mr. Met himself wandering around the stadium.
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Mario Pardo Grade: D
Pros of the ballpark = I've been going to games at Shea for
almost 20 years now, since I was about 5 or 6. I always found it
very big & airy, especially compared to Yankees Stadium across the
TriBoro. There are seats where you can actually turn around & see
LaGuardia bay and feel the direct breeze. The lack of outfield
seating means open views, breezes, and sunshine. There is tons of
parking on anything but sold-out games (and God help you if you get
there late for a sold out game), and access from the 7 train
couldn't be easier. In recent years, the number and variety of
concession stands has increased (sushi at a baseball game??).
finding your seats is easy and logical, and there are hardly if any
obstructed views regardless of where you sit. One of my favorite
things? The backstop behind the catcher must be one of the closest
in the majors. Nothing irritates me more than a huge area behind
the catcher (I'm lookin' at you, Yankees Stadium).
Cons of the ballpark: The same open view provided by the
horseshoe shape isn't exactly lovely: parking lot, the expressway in
the distance, and not much more. If the stadium was turned about 90
degrees you'd be able to look at the city skyline (but then I'd
guess sun glare would be a problem). It also allows the roaring
planes to make their presence known coming/going from LaGuardia.
Bathroom lines seem sporadic: sometimes a few dozen people long,
sometimes none at all. On crowded days you may have to park on the
other end of Flushing Meadows park and take a bus to the train
platform, probably an overall distance of 3/4 of a mile. Sitting in
the last three rows of the Mezzanine and last two rows of the Loge
levels means your view is cut off right above the outfield fence.
Upper box sections are actually pretty good, but if you're over 6'0"
your knees will be resting against the divider rail in front of
you. Last but not least, the Ticket Nazis will prevent you from
entering the Field Level, even if it's the 8th inning on a rainy day
when there are less than a couple of thousand fans left at all.
Consequently, you miss out on some of the best concession stands in
the stadium.
Additional Comments: Shea has as much convenience/comfort as
Yankees Stadium has character. We all know about the Stadium's
Bleachers Creatures, but the view from out there in my opinion are
not worth it. Whereas Shea lacks outfield seating at all, almost as
a favor to fans. The openness of it is welcomed on gorgeous summer
days and nights. If you want to watch the game for cheap, you get a
halfway decent Loge Level view from the 7 train's platform landing,
outside of the stadium beyond right field. If a homer is smashed
far enough past the right-center field fence, there's a chance one
of the players' own cars can get hit!
Ballpark Visited:
Shea Stadium Submitted By: Anthony Lorenzo Grade: C
Pros of the ballpark: The biggest pro of Shea Stadium is the
fact that I love the team that plays in it. The Apple in the
outfield is cool and so are some of the fan friendly amenities
outside the park. Tickets are expensive compared to other parks but
for New York sports they are very reasonable. Shea was the first
ballpark I ever went. The atmosphere and fans are great. Met fans
are loyal and intelligent.
Cons of the ballpark: Some seats are blocked by upper decks.
There are not any attractions that would draw a non-Met fan to the
stadium. Parking and Traffic are ridiculous.
Additional Comments: Although Shea is a nice place to see a
game, I would not compare it to other stadiums that I have gone to.
Nothing draws a fan to Shea like the Monster does to Fenway. It is
worth going to if the Mets are playing well.
