Shea's Swan Song

Tom Seaver, all-time winning pitcher, tosses ceremonial closing pitch to Mike Piazza at Shea Stadium. The New York Metropolitans (Mets) held their "Shea Goodbye" ceremony following their absolute last regular season game at Shea which was a 4-2 loss to the Florida Marlins, ending their playoff hopes. The Mets ended the season three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the Eastern Division and one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the Wild Card spot.

Previous team members including 1969 and 1986 World Series Champions returned to Shea Stadium for the very last time to thank the fans for the support they received when they had worn Mets uniforms.

The day began with a celebration in which 45 former Mets stars walked a rain soaked red carpet in a downpour. Hundreds of fans lined up on either side of the red carpet that began at the sidewalk next to the parking lot and led to Gate A where SNY hosts and analysts taped interviews for a later broadcast with many of the returning Mets.

As the former Mets stars were escorted into the stadium, rounds of applause greeted them. Many of them stopped to sign autographs and speak with their fans. The loudest shouts came when fans recognized Yogi Berra, Darryl Strawberry, Ron Darling and Mets favorite Keith Hernandez.

Photo Vinny DuPre Fans "Shea-ing" goodbye to the stadium. The former Mets stars and their families, were guided to the Terrace in left field for a buffet luncheon. The "old timers" gave interviews and posed for photos with the press.

Following the game SNY Mets announcer Howie Rose announced the names of the former Mets and described some of the highlights of their careers while a video of their heroics was broadcast on the Jumbotron in centerfield.

The capacity crowd was treated to a look at some of their favorites, such as former Mets manager Yogi Berra, Ron Darling (12), Keith Hernandez (17), former manager, Bud Harrelson (3) and Ed Charles, third baseman of the 1986 world championship team followed by fans' favorite Lenny Dykstra (4).

Mets longtime announcer Ralph Kiner and Mets 1969 World Series centerfielder Cleon Jones (21) and Darryl Strawberry one of the 1986 World Series champions were among the honorees as well as Jim Hickman, an original Met who was not recognized right away but got a hand when someone called out his name to welcome him back to Shea.

Mets All Star catcher Gary Carter followed, with Wally Backman and Ron Swoboda right behind. Mets former pitchers Al Leiter, John Franco, Sid Fernandez, Bobbie Ojeda and Jessie Orosco were next.

Former Mets infielders Ed Kranepool, Ron Hunt,

Doug Flynn, Tim Teufel, Robin Ventura, Edgardo Alfonzo and Felix Millan ran by in an attempt to avoid the rain.

Al Jackson, one of the earlier Mets throwers, walked the carpet as did pitchers Jim McAndrew, Jerry Koosaman, Jack Fisher, and Craig Swan. Wayne Garret, Art Shamsky, George Theodore, Rusty Staub, Lee Mazzilli, John Stearns, Tod Zielle and Howard Johnson, the Mets current batting coach, joined home run hitters Frank Thomas, Dave Kingman and George Foster.

The Mets all time winning pitcher, Tom Seaver (105 wins), and one of their most popular catchers, Mike Piazza second only to Strawberry in home runs (105) and RBIs (327) were also in attendance.

Joan Hodges, wife of Gil Hodges, former Mets first baseman and manager of the 1969 World Championship Mets, was there with her family including Gil Hodges Jr. Mrs. Joy Murphy represented her husband, Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Bob Murphy. Mrs. Maxine Agee and her daughter represented her husband Tommy Agee, the star centerfielder with the 1969 World Championship Mets team.

Each former Mets star took turns stepping on home plate for the very last time. Some jumped on it and others like Willie Mays just stood there. Strawberry and Dwight Gooden threw kisses to the fans, Piazza waved with a big smile while Seaver took bows on each side of home plate.

The ceremony included a ceremonial closing last pitch. Seaver, the Mets all-time winning pitcher, tossed the final pitch on one hop to Piazza, a fan favorite catcher.

The former Mets stars filed out through the centerfield gates heading towards CitiField as the lights dimmed at Shea Stadium. Fireworks lit up the sky as Billy Joel sang "New York State of Mind".