Loge13 reader Bob sent us this great artifact from his archives.
Going through my stuff I came upon this ticket stub, which told a melancholy tale.
June 7, 1977 was the day I graduated from Queens College, and as part of the celebration I went to Shea with a friend to see the Mets play the Reds. Tom Seaver was the starter, and he was throwing bullets - the Reds couldn't touch him. The final score was 8-0.
But a dark cloud was hanging over Shea.....
For some weeks, Seaver and the Mets management - mainly M. Donald Grant - were feuding over Seaver's salary. Just eight days after this game was played, Seaver was traded to the Reds. I didn't know it that night, but I had seen Seaver's last game as a Met in Shea Stadium.
The Mets finished a dismal 64-98 that season, and wouldn't begin to recover until the team was sold in the 1980s. Seaver did return to the Mets for just one season - 1983 - but then went to the White Sox.
He was the greatest Met of all, but his era was over. My graduation day was a milestone in more ways than one. No wonder Mr. Met was crying.....
Note: $1.50 to sit in the “upper unreserved” area.
Thanks Bob!
