Is Shea Stadium closing down?

[Get Back]

I read somewhere in wikipedia the other day, that Shea Stadium, one of the Beatles more famous venues, is planned for demolition next year. I haven't seen anything about it here, but does anyone know if that's true? If so, is it a re-development project, or is this the end of Shea as we know it?

[lennongirl]

It's true.
And article from the New York ZTImes about ti can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/sports/baseball/24mets.html

[Get Back]

Thanks lennongirl. That is sad news. :cry3:

[lennongirl]

You're welcome.

And it is very sad.

=(

[lennonluvr9]

Yep the Mets are getting a new stadium. Just like the Yankees are getting a new stadium. And it is disapointting, especially for me since I've been to NYC twice and have never been to Shea. Come to think of it, I've never been to the Plaza either...

[peacewithlennon]

Nothing willbe left at the rate things are going! Whats next?

[Wild Eagle]

Shea is completely gone. It went down February 18, 2009 at 11:24 am.

It was brought down in pieces.

[Zimmerman The Gnome]

It was a crumbling old stadium to be fair...All Things Must Pass as someone once said.

[hibgal]

It was brought down in pieces.

Thank goodness!

[lennonluvr9]

Yeah I saw pics of what's left in the paper a couple weeks ago. Kinda sad, but nothing you can do about it now...

[beatlebangs1964]

Another Beatles' venue becomes history.

[erinluv182]

Quite sad. I think America has a problem with not appreciating our past enough. I know we're a "new" country, so it's not a very big deal to us to get rid of places that are 80 years old or so. But if we keep getting rid of these places, there will be no physical history to hold on to.

I'm a Cleveland Indians fan, so I hate the Yankees, and am kind of indifferent about the Mets, but these two stadiums being torn down is wrong to me. For Yankees stadium: holy cow. Some of the true legends of baseball called this place their home. Players who played in a time where there was much more honor in the sport. And we just tear it down for something new.

All I can say is, thank God for Wrigley in Chicago. I hope it is always there.

[beatlebangs1964]

I'm a Boston Red Sox fan and I always hope the Red Sox will eat those Yanks up with some Boston Baked Beans followed up with some Boston Cream Pie.

While I'm not as avid a fan for the Mets, these two stadia are staples of history and major NY landmarks. Sad to see these stadia go. Talk about bittersweet events.

[bobdude]

Time marches on. It's sad to see the old stadiums being torn down. They have a real feel for the history of the game. But there have been stadiums demolished already with less service time than Shea had. Look at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati and Veterans Field in Philadelphia. Those were all state of the art parks when they opened in the early 1970's. Now they all have been replaced by more modern ball parks. One that really hurt was when they tore down Tiger Stadium in Detroit. That was a venue that was every bit as historic as the 'relics' Fenway and Wrigley in Boston and Chicago respectively. Who will ever forget the home run Reggie Jackson hit in the 1971 All Star game?
Here's good luck to both of the New York teams in this their inaugural seasons. Not to rile all you Yankee haters but I am a Yankees fan and have been since I was old enough to realize what baseball was back in the late 50's early 60's when I was a wee lad! As for the Mets, after folding in September the last 2 seasons, they have a lot to prove this year. Only 33 days until opening day!

[markc]

Crikey - thought these big stadia would last forever! I bought a postcard on e-bay earlier this year of an aerial view of Shea Stadium for my Beatles postcard collection, not realising the place was about to disappear! I guess after Shea, the most famous Beatles-associated stadium is Candlestick Park in San Francisco where the last concert proper with an audience took place on 29 August 1966. As they flew out, George famously remarked "Well that's it, I'm not a Beatle anymore!" The concert was taped by Tony Barrow - wonder if that will ever make it to a legitimate release one day! Has anybody got any news about this stadium? Is there any commemorative plaque there of its special place in the Beatles story?
Mark C

[BeatleJim]

I'm a Boston Red Sox fan and I always hope the Red Sox will eat those Yanks up with some Boston Baked Beans followed up with some Boston Cream Pie.

While I'm not as avid a fan for the Mets, these two stadia are staples of history and major NY landmarks. Sad to see these stadia go. Talk about bittersweet events.


I live about 25 miles from Fenway Park. Do you live in the area?

[El Gos Coix]

Quite sad. I think America has a problem with not appreciating our past enough.


America's not the only place where these things happen. Some time ago I bought the book "The Beatles' London", by Piet Schreuders, Mark Lewisohn and Adam Smith, and I was surprised to know how little of the Beatles' London does exist today.

I'm sad to learn those news about Shea Stadium. I've never been to the U.S., but that was one of the places I wanted to see, owing to its Beatle connection. I'll have to travel to the West Coast, instead, and make do with the Hollywood Bowl and Candlestick Park, for example. Those two are standing, aren't they?

[PepperlandFrog]

I'm sad to learn those news about Shea Stadium. I've never been to the U.S., but that was one of the places I wanted to see, owing to its Beatle connection. I'll have to travel to the West Coast, instead, and make do with the Hollywood Bowl and Candlestick Park, for example. Those two are standing, aren't they?Candlestick Park is still there, and is still used for football. How long it will remain standing is anyone's guess.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlestick_Park#The_Beatles_final_concert

[BeatleJim]

America's not the only place where these things happen. Some time ago I bought the book "The Beatles' London", by Piet Schreuders, Mark Lewisohn and Adam Smith, and I was surprised to know how little of the Beatles' London does exist today.

I'm sad to learn those news about Shea Stadium. I've never been to the U.S., but that was one of the places I wanted to see, owing to its Beatle connection. I'll have to travel to the West Coast, instead, and make do with the Hollywood Bowl and Candlestick Park, for example. Those two are standing, aren't they?
Here's a Beatles venue that's still there and it's real easy to get inside. Anyone want to guess?
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/jcfraser/BeatleStage7.jpg

[El Gos Coix]

Well, all I can say is it looks more like a ballroom than like a football stadium! :teeth1: Is it the UK or the US?

[El Gos Coix]

Candlestick Park is still there, and is still used for football. How long it will remain standing is anyone's guess.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlestick_Park#The_Beatles_final_concert

Oh, let's hope it's for long enough. There are a number of things I'd like to see in LA, so if ever go there, I'd try to get to San Francisco to see Candlestick Park. But it doesn't look as if I'll make that trip soon!

[heyjude]

Quite sad. I think America has a problem with not appreciating our past enough.
America's not the only place where these things happen.

Hah, no kidding. Canada is losing a lot of it's history to the US.
Hudson's Bay Company (One of the oldest surviving company in the world) originally was a fur-trading company in Canada, and shaped the way Canada developed as a country. Sadly, I've heard that it is now owned by American Partners.

[mluque125]

I found it extremely sad when this happened. I never got to visit the place. It's depressing how many Beatles landmarks are now history. Not only Beatles landmarks, but historic places in general. I just wonder how long Candlestick Park will last, hopefully long enough so I can visit.

[beatlebangs1964]

And Suffolk Downs in beautiful Boston. The Beatles played Boston in 1964 AND 1966.

I love Boston. :thumbu2: