The Sounds of Shea
We all know that our days at Shea Stadium are now numbered. I remember this past season, being asked to take a survey on the music played throughout the stadium. I received a light-up Mets pin for participating.
So speaking of music, I decided to reflect on some of the sounds and songs played during the games at Shea in 2007. Some songs are player-related, and we may not hear them again if the player is not back for the 2008 season. But here is a sample of the sounds I am missing during this long offseason we have ahead of us...
Bon Jovi’s, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” when a Mets runner scores from third on a base hit. “I Don’t Wanna Be a Playa No More,” when David Wright steps up to the plate. (The sounds of Cassie’s “Me and U” can also be heard then.) Don’t forget the disco beat of the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive” when Paul LoDuca comes up to bat. (As well as the Beastie Boys and the Italian, “Volare!”)
Forgive me if I butcher the spelling on this one, but I am going to miss hearing “El Esta Aqui” every time Carlos Beltran steps in the batter’s box.
The seventh inning stretch would consist of the traditional “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” followed by Lou Monte’s “Lazy Mary.” During the months following 9/11, “God Bless America” would fill in.
The words of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” can be heard between the top and bottom of the eighth inning, and man, did the crowd get involved!
“Why …Don’t…You…Steal Away…” can be heard whenever one of our many speedy runners steals a base! I have also heard Chris Brown’s “Run It”, when Jose swipes one!
And speaking of Jose…we Mets fans have turned “Ole’, Ole’, Ole’ ” into the infamous “Jose, Jose, Jose” and are darn proud of it too!
As far as I am concerned, Billy Wagner is the original owner of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, not Mariano Rivera.
"Every-body-clap your hands!" (clap, clap, clap, clap) seemed to be a favorite throughout many ballparks ths year.
"Taking Care of Business" was the sure way of knowing that the Mets won!
Other songs, such as Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" were also heard at Shea in 2007, as well as many others, but too many to think of or mention.
To think the sounds of Shea...will soon be the sounds of Citi Field...not quite the same, huh?
On another note, I wonder if the Mets would have made an offer to JoeTorre had they not already guaranteed Willie Randolph's return next year? Let us know what you think....
Comments
I love how the last sentence had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the piece lol
Citi Field will be a welcome addition. I bet they'll have an equally good speaker system, ad Lord knows the amazins need a new field. Citi Field can't get here soon enough, I say.
Posted by: Milo | October 23, 2007 10:01 PM
I will make the cross counrty trip to Shea at least twice next year, but I am really looking forward to the opening of CitiField even though I will still call it Shea 2.
I dont want Torre.
Posted by: Vegas Chris | October 23, 2007 11:16 PM
As much as I want a new stadium, I am going to miss Shea a lot. I'm still not set on the name 'Citi Field', some say once I see the name on the stadium I will feel different. Only time will tell, though it will always be Shea to me. And I'm sure the sights and sounds there will be equally as impressive.
P.S. Wright needs to bring back Brass Monkey!
Posted by: Metdevil | October 24, 2007 12:43 AM
Where ever the Mets play home games, it will always be Shea to me. :D
Posted by: Johnny | October 24, 2007 06:06 AM
I regretably have only been to Shea the past 2 seasons and i'm 27. One of the negatives of growing up in a family of Yankee fans... no one ever wanted to bring me to Shea as a child.
The 7 times i've been there in the past 2 seasons however have been great. When I looked out upon the stadium I could just envision all the history. '86, Buckner, Doc, '69, The Beatles (yes that's a big part of Shea's history), Piazza's HR after 9/11, Stengel, Koosman, Seaver, Endy, Double Tag @ Home... Those are just some of the memories that I witnessed on TV or in archived footage.
Myself... I was there for a piece of Mets history. During the Phillies Rout of the Mets 10-5 I got to witness my favorite player join an exclusive club not only for the Mets but for the entire MLB. David Wright joined the 30/30 club. I hope that later in my life I can go to a Citifield game w/ any kids/grandkids I may have and say "See that guy Wright? He's a future hall of famer and I was there early on in his career when he became a part of this game's history."
As for CitiField.... As I said i never really got to experience Shea firsthand, so I think i'm going to embrace CitiField more than I embraced Shea. CitiField will be "My" Mets Stadium. I plan on being there opening day 2009 (as I plan on being @ Shea for the final regular season game in 2008), and I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.
Also think of this... This is the "NEW" Mets with the same Magic as the old mets. Isn't it fitting that we put this combination of talent, power, charisma, and magic in a new home befitting the honor they deserve?
And by the way... NO to Torre. As a Met fan I don't care how many titles the guy has, he's a Yankee at heart and always will be. Every interview with him we'd be hearing about why he did something cause it worked on the Yankees. Last thing we need is a guy taking away press from the Mets cause he used to manage the Yanks
Posted by: Travis | October 24, 2007 08:20 AM
I think they need to get rid of "Sweet Caroline" simply because I relate to the Red Sox - lets get our own identiy.
At one game last year they actually did a montage (sp?) to music of Rocky which I flipped out on - thats friggen Philly music.
Otherwise, pretty decent job...
As far as Joe - we were the FIRST to fire him......Say NO TO JOE!!!
Posted by: Kate | October 24, 2007 11:22 AM
I will miss Shea and the 3 greatest Mike Piazza moments I witnessed there. Mike's last game as a Met, the HR after 9/11 and the 2 home run game he had as a Padre.Citi Field does not do it for me. Why couldn't Met Life be approached as a sponsor? I would have accepted that, kinda. It will always be Shea to me.
Posted by: Tracey | October 24, 2007 11:41 AM
The Mets need to bring back the Curly Shuffle. That was teh song in 1986!!!!
Posted by: gregga19 | October 24, 2007 02:21 PM
I haven't been to Shea since I was a little girl - about 5 years old - thanks to my parents moving me to South Florida against my will. But I still remember Shea, albeit not very clearly, and my boyfriend and I intend to be there for at least one game of Shea's final season. (My mom recently found my autographed baseball from the '84 season - I was thrilled, hehe.)
I think to Mets fans, Shea is one of those stadiums that is just a part of baseball's glorious history, that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime, much like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, or even Yankee Stadium. And even when the lights turn off at Shea Stadium for the last time, and Citi Field is all that remains, it'll always be Shea to the faithful, so long as the Mets call it home.
p.s. No thanks on the Torre front. :P
Posted by: Rissa | October 24, 2007 09:39 PM
Nel blu dipinto di blu (VOLARE)= Another reason to keep Lo Duca!!!!!!
I love that song!
and Lo Duca is awesome!
I wish I had a poster of him makin the "crazy eyes" face!
Posted by: Tommy G-Rubz | October 25, 2007 04:05 AM
PLEASE NO TORRE.NO MORE EX YANKEES.WE NEED MET PLAYERS ON OUR STAFF TO KNOW WHAT THE BLUE AND ORANGE STANDS FOR. TO KNOW ABOUT HOW OUR FANS LIVE AND DIE WITH OUR BOYS, AS FOR THE MUSIC ,PLEASE NO MORE DISCO .LETS REMEMBER THE BEATLES PLAYED AT SHEA.SO MORE OF THE GOOD STUFF.WE MORE OF THE DOORS ,LINKIN PARK ,STAIND,BONJOVI,LETS ON GUYS LETS NOT FORGET THE METS ARE FROM THE 60'S!!!!!!
Posted by: MARIA | October 27, 2007 02:20 AM
I'm going to miss Shea when it's gone but I am looking forward to Citi Feild. It'll always be Shea to me because of the history that the team and I have there. I may only be 21 but I've been to many games at Shea. No one likes to see the ballpark where they say their first game be taken down.
As for Torre, I say no. We don't need him on our staff. I feel we'll do better without him.
And MAria, How do you relate Linkin Park and Staind to the 60's?
Posted by: drmrby88 | October 30, 2007 11:38 AM