Hi all. My first post here(I'm always reading though). Besides being a big Beatles fan I am also a big NY Mets fan.
I've been going to Shea for Mets games since 1976, so it became like a "summer home" to put it one way. Since I was a kid, I always tried to envision what it must have been like when the Beatles took the field. I work with 2 women who were at the concerts at Shea and I love hearing their stories. As reported, they could barely hear anything and couldn't stop screaming either. lol
I was lucky enough to be at Billy Joel's concerts at Shea. He played a few Beatles songs and on the final night(I'm sure most you've probably read about it) Paul McCartney joined him on stage for the finale. Played "I Saw Her Standing There". Came back out and closed the night with "Let it Be". That was the last song played by a live band at Shea. I couldn't help but feel that John and George were right next to him on that stage. It was fantastic and the place was actually shaking.
Anyway, Shea's last day of activity was the last Mets home game on Sunday, September 28th 2008. I was at that game and there were closing ceremonies after, reviewing the life of the ol' girl and for all to say a final goodbye. They called it "Shea Goodbye". Old Mets players were on hand, saying a final farewell by touching home plate and looking at the crowd, waving goodbye. It was very moving. At the very end, two prominent retired Mets players, Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza were part of the 'final pitch' at Shea. After the pitch the two walked off from the pitchers mound to centerfield through the open gates. As they were walking out "In My Life" was playing. Needles to say, I lost it and just cried. As they walked through the gates, they turned around looked at the crowd and waved, closing the center field gates for the final time. It was very moving and there couldn't have been a more perfect and appropriate song to play. I still get choked up just thinking about it. I have so many memories of times spent with my father, cousins and friends at Shea..... Shea was not in good condition but she was beautiful to me and always will be.
The new Mets stadium was built directly next to Shea in the parking lot. The plan is for Shea's site to be turned into a parking lot but with markers of the infield and locations of historical events. I'm sure there will be a marker of where the Beatles stage was. There better be! I also remember reading somewhere that The Beatles Museum (I think) bought two seats from Shea to display. So, Shea will always live on especially being a big part in the history of the Greatest band ever!
If interested, here is a link to a youtube clip capturing the last pitch and walking out. Someone filmed it from the stands off the Shea's video screen. Quality is not the best but the sentiment is there.
