On This Date in 1961


Ground was broken on October 28th, 1961 for Shea Stadium in New York. It would take two-and-a-half years to complete. For 45 years, it would be home to the Mets -- spanning skippers Casey Stengel to Jerry Manuel; starting pitcher Jack Fisher to Oliver Perez and shortstops Amado Samuel to Jose Reyes. Highlights, low lights, an All Star Game and four World Series. The round, spartan multi-purpose design wouldn't place it high on any iconic list, and the wing and the ever-present airplanes overhead added a unique twist.
Never to be as beloved as Ebbets Field -- which also ironically hosted baseball for 45 seasons -- or as distinctive as the Polo Ground, the Shea story began on this date in 1961.

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