| Today, Opening Day 2010, in the sophomore year | | | | Bill Shea was an attorney who dedicated four |
| of Citi Field, the New York Mets dedicated the | | | | years of his life working tirelessly to bring National |
| "bridge" walkway behind right-center field as Shea | | | | League baseball back to New York. It was a |
| Bridge. Prior to last season, the Mets made Shea | | | | difficult battle against powerful entrenched owners |
| Stadium their home. There can be no doubt that | | | | fighting desperately to maintain the status quo. |
| more than one inquisitive child holding a ticket for | | | | Along with the help of baseball legend Branch |
| today's game was told by their parent that the | | | | Rickey, Shea announced the formation of a |
| bridge was named after the recently dismantled | | | | competitive third major league called the |
| ballpark. An accurate response of course, but one | | | | Continental League. Conceding to pressure, the |
| that is woefully incomplete. | | | | reluctant owners agreed to the first expansion of |
| From its opening day in 1964 until the closing | | | | the Major Leagues since the acrimonious and slow |
| ceremonies following the final game of the 2008 | | | | forming recognition of the American League by |
| season, Shea Stadium, by its mere existence, | | | | the senior circuit in the early days of the 20th |
| preserved the memory of the man in whose | | | | century. |
| honor it was named. Today's gesture will assure | | | | In 1961 the American League added two teams, |
| that the name of William "Bill" Shea will continue to | | | | the Los Angeles Angels and the "new" |
| be associated with New York Mets history. | | | | Washington Senators as the Washington Senators |
| Why should New Yorkers remember Bill Shea? | | | | of 1960 moved to the Twin Cities to become the |
| After the 1957 season, both the Brooklyn | | | | Minnesota Twins. The National League followed |
| Dodgers and New York Giants deserted the city | | | | suit in 1962 with the Houston Colt.45s and the |
| for the greener pastures of California. The exodus | | | | lovably inept New York Mets. For the scarred |
| ripped the heart out of many diehard New York | | | | Dodger and Giant fans, the Mets filled a void, |
| National League sports fans and essentially stole | | | | regardless of the won-loss record between |
| the soul of Brooklyn. Decades of Yankee hating | | | | 1962-1968, and within eight seasons the 1969 |
| would not allow these fans to adopt the only | | | | Amazing Mets stunned the world with an |
| remaining New York team. | | | | improbable but glorious championship. |