Shea Stadium Countdown

[bigworm_122]

this is a list of the people the mets are having pull down each number, before the start of each game. i have found this information online, so all may not be correct

Numbers Revealed – Shea Family (Phillies, 4/8/08)
81-80 - Mr. Met (Phillies, 4/9/08)
80-79 - Peter Spina & Kenneth Toscano – Lincoln/Mercury (Phillies, 4/10/08)
79-78 - Member of New York Mets Kids Club (Brewers, 4/11/08)
78-77 - A Lucky Fan (Brewers, 4/12/08)
77-76 - Gabe Cohen & Caitlin Fichtel of SNY’s Kids Clubhouse(Brewers, 4/13/08)
76-75 - Ed Charles -1969 Met (Nationals, 4/15/08)
75-74 - Howie Rose, Mets broadcaster (Nationals, 4/16/08)
74-73 - Jack Fisher (First Pitch), Ron Hunt (First Run), Tim Harkness (First Hit) (Nationals, 4/17/07)
73-72 - Bob Mandt – Original Employee thru 2004 (Braves, 4/25/08)
72-71 - Randy Lang, Craig Lang, Brian Lang, & Victoria Lang, children of Longtime Mets beat writer Jack Lang (Braves, 4/26/08)
71-70 - Bob Reid of Bayside Little League (Braves, 4/27/08)
70-69 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Pirates, 4/29/08)
69-68 - Mr. Met and Cyber Chasers (Pirates, 4/30/08)
68-67 - Representative from Premio Italian Sausages (Reds, 5/10/08)
67-66 - 2 Lucky Fans (Reds, 5/10/08)
66-65 - Gretchen Randolph and Willie's Kids, for Mother's Day (Reds, 5/11/08)
65-64 - Dr. Ewart F. Brown, Bermuda’s Premier (Nationals ,5/12/08)
64-63 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Nationals, 5/13/08)
63-62 - Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton of WFAN morning show (Nationals, 5/14/08)
62-61 - Mr. G & a kid for Weather Appreciation Day (Nationals, 5/15/08)
61-60 - _____________ (Marlins, 5/26/08)
60-59 - Pete Flynn, original member of Mets Ground Crew (Marlins, 5/27/08)
59-58 - Rusty Staub (Marlins, 5/28/08)
58-57 - Art Shamsky (Dodgers, 5/29/08)
57-56 - Tim Robbins (Dodgers, 5/30/08)
56-55 - Luke Gasparre, Mets longtime Shea Stadium employee (Dodgers, 5/31/08)
55-54 - Ron Swoboda (Dodgers, 6/1/08)
54-53 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Diamondbacks, 6/10/08)
53-52 - Representative from the Starlight, Starbright Children's Foundation (Diamondbacks, 6/11/08)
52-51 - Bill & Jim Germanakos, Stars of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" (Diamondbacks, 6/12/08)
51-50 - George Foster (Rangers, 6/13/08)
50-49 - The Alomar Family, Sandy Sr., Sandy Jr., Roberto (Rangers, 6/15/08)
49-48 - Mr. Met (Rangers, 6/15/08)
48-47 - Juan Alicia, Mets Spanish Radio & Mets employee since 1969 (Mariners, 6/23/08)
47-46 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Mariners, 6/24/08)
46-45 - Mark McGraw, Tug McGraw's Son (Mariners, 6/25/08)
45-44 - _____________ (Yankees, 6/27/08)
44-43 - _____________ (Yankees, 6/28/08)
43-42 - Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars & Alumni (Yankees, 6/29/08)
42-41 - Members of the New York Jets (Giants, 7/8/08)
41-40 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Giants, 7/9/08)
40-39 - Joe Pignatano, former Mets player & coach (Giants, 7/10/08)
39-38 - Cal Lieper, original Shea season ticket holder (Rockies, 7/11/08)
38-37 - Gary Cohen, SNY Broadcaster (Rockies, 7/12/08)
37-36 - Mike McNamara, original Shea Stadium Vendor (Rockies, 7/13/08)
36-35 - Jesse Orosco (Phillies, 7/22/08)
35-34 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Phillies, 7/23/08)
34-33 - Brian McNamara, original Shea Stadium vendor (Phillies, 7/24/08)
33-32 - Steve Somers, WFAN Radio (Cardinals, 7/25/08)
32-31 - _____________ (Cardinals, 7/26/08)
31-30 - _____________ (Cardinals, 7/27/08)
30-29 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Padres, 8/5/08)
29-28 - American Heart Association Representative (Padres, 8/6/08)
28-27 - Clarence Irving (Padres, 8/7/08)
27-26 - Ralph Kiner (Marlins, 8/8/08)
26-25 - Joy Murphy, wife of Bob Murphy (Marlins, 8/9/08)
25-24 - Jane Javis, former Mets organist (Marlins, 8/10/08)
24-23 - Lincoln Mercury Representative (Pirates, 8/11/08)
23-22 - Abigail & Spencer Breslin, actors (Braves, 8/19/08)
22-21 - Mike McNamara, an original usher (Braves, 8/20/08)
21-20 - Jonathan Plummer, son of longtime Mets Employee Jim Plummer & Maxine Agee, wife of former outfielder Tommie Agee (Astros, 8/21/08)
20-19 - Bobby Ojeda (Astros, 8/22/08)
19-18 - Darryl Strawberry (Astros, 8/23/08)
18-17 - Keith Hernandez (Astros, 8/24/08)
17-16 - Lee Mazzilli (Astros, 8/25/08)
16-15 - Mets Employees w/ 25 years or more of service, Juan Alicea, Tony Carullo, Jay Horowitz, Bill Ianniciello, Roland Johnson, Charlie Samuels, Tod Tillotson, Bobby Yost (Phillies, 9/5/08)
15-14 - Joan Hodges, wife of Gil Hodges (Phillies, 9/7/08)
14-13 - Harry Minor (former scout) & Al Jackson (former player) (Phillies, 9/7/08)
13-12 - Ron Darling (Nationals, 9/9/08)
12-11 - Representatives of NYPD & FDNY (Nationals, 9/10/08)
11-10 - Military Appreciation Day Representatives (Braves, 9/13/08)
10-9 - Howard Johnson (Braves, 9/13/08)
9-8 - Sterling Award Recipients (Braves, 9/14/08)
8-7 - Ed Kranepool (Cubs, 9/22/08)
7-6 - Howard Johnson (Cubs, 9/23/08)
6-5 - Ed Charles, 1969 Met (Cubs, 9/24/08)
5-4 - Lenny Dykstra (Cubs, 9/25/08)
4-3 - Buddy Harrelson (Marlins, 9/26/08)
3-2 - Jerry Koosman (Marlins, 9/27/08)
2-1 - Tom Seaver (Marlins, 9/28/08)
1-0 - Mr. Met (Marlins, 9/28/08 post-game) revealed Citi Field Logo

[bigworm_122]

added 2 more.

really not that great of a list of people getting the honor

would appreciate input on missing dates

[JeepingBaseball]

the list so far seems like anyone with money can get their photo taken

[nymdan]

Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3489/metsvsnationals20080514ff4.jpg

[alpineinc]

really not that great of a list of people getting the honor



Two dates for Lincoln/Mercury already...they have to try a little harder than that.

[CitiFieldIsNoShea]

The Mets could've made this special, bringing in former Mets and really make this about the team, but this is just cheezed-up and corporately whored-out for publicity shills...oh, I unfortunately see this as a big part of the Mets future.

[Jim Vaz]

The Mets could've made this special, bringing in former Mets and really make this about the team, but this is just cheezed-up and corporately whored-out for publicity shills...oh, I unfortunately see this as a big part of the Mets future.

Well thats just it, get used to it. And its not just the Mets, its everyone else as well. Thats just sports and the world we live in today.

I do though like how yesterday the broadcast team did their broadcast from the upper deck and brough in a few of the 69 Mets. All 3 of them said they liked the set up and will probably broadcast more games from the upper deck with the fans around them.

[piazza3142]

The Mets could've made this special, bringing in former Mets and really make this about the team, but this is just cheezed-up and corporately whored-out for publicity shills...oh, I unfortunately see this as a big part of the Mets future.

Correct my if I'm wrong, but aren't there 62ish games left. I think we may see some Mets greats before this is all said in done. For example, 41 Tom Seaver, 17 Keith Hernandez, 8 Carter..., I think we need to wait out the season before we say the Mets aren't making this special. I think common sense says we will see some great people from this organizations history pulling down numbers.
But like I said I could be wrong. I doubt it though.

[whoisonit]

I do though like how yesterday the broadcast team did their broadcast from the upper deck and brough in a few of the 69 Mets. All 3 of them said they liked the set up and will probably broadcast more games from the upper deck with the fans around them.

That was alot of fun. I love that Cohen is just one of us, he brings a great perspective to the broadcasts. I hope they do it his way next time & put them way, way up in the nosebleeds.

[bleacherbum73]

Correct my if I'm wrong, but aren't there 62ish games left. I think we may see some Mets greats before this is all said in done. For example, 41 Tom Seaver, 17 Keith Hernandez, 8 Carter..., I think we need to wait out the season before we say the Mets aren't making this special. I think common sense says we will see some great people from this organizations history pulling down numbers.
But like I said I could be wrong. I doubt it though.

When the Cards did it for their last year at old Busch they used a variety of people, including all their living Hall of Famer's, past fan favorites, ex-football Cardinals and current Rams and Blues players. They usually pulled off the number that they wore as a player. For Opening Day during that last year Jackie Smith, Hall of Famer for the old St.Louis Football Cardinals pulled the 81 off the wall, which was his old number. Also, Keith Hernandez pulled down his old number 31. The Cards kept it very traditional with very few corporate people or "no-names" involved that I can remember. Hopefully for Mets fans it will get better as you near the half way mark.

[alpineinc]

I loved Keith complaining about the $5 hot dogs.

[whoisonit]

I loved Keith complaining about the $5 hot dogs.

Yea. I liked too that he actually pulled out his wad & paid for them. It kept it from feeling like it was contrived. I wish he bought a beer too !

[Candlestick60]

I Hope that a number of Mets players from the Past will be there for the Last Regular season Game Sept 28th. I will be there the day before on the 27th I cant wait. C60 P.S. I coulnt get a ticket for the last game they were all sold out. :baseball::atthepc

[Aviator_Frank]

It was great listening to Krane talk about playing for Hodges, etc. Why they never retired number 7 is beyond me.

I hope the Mets do things like this more often, bringing in oldtimers.

[Jim Vaz]

Agreed. Mets should and I think will do this more and more.

As long as they don't do it like the Yankees and try to make old players look really bad by trying to play a silly old timers game, thats fine by me.

[bigworm_122]

filled in a few more

[bigworm_122]

added a few more

[JeepingBaseball]

lots of folks from Lincoln Mercury

They whole thing has no meaning like it should. It's a pure marketing gimmick.

[bleacherbum73]

lots of folks from Lincoln Mercury

They whole thing has no meaning like it should. It's a pure marketing gimmick.
here are the names of the people who pulled down the number durin the final year at Busch. Just gives you an idea of how the Cards ran it. Very classy and non-commercial. I feel for Mets fans who basically have to watch an advertisment for Lincoln Mercury dealerships. :dismay:
Number Pulled -- Date (Opponent) -- Name
#81 -- 04/08/2005 (PHI) -- Jackie Smith, former football Cardinals star
#80 -- 04/09/2005 (PHI) -- Isaac Bruce, Rams wide receiver
#79 -- 04/10/2005 (PHI) -- Fredbird
#78 -- 04/12/2005 (CIN) -- Rick Hummel, Post-Dispatch baseball writer
#77 -- 04/13/2005 (CIN) -- Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati Reds outfielderwho hit his 500th homer at Busch
#76 -- 04/20/2005 (CHI) -- Ted Simmons, former Cardinal All-Star catcher
#75 -- 04/21/2005 (CHI) -- Jay Randolph Sr., former Cardinals broadcaster
#74 -- 04/22/2005 (HOU) -- Gary Gaetti, former Cardinals’ third baseman
#73 -- 04/23/2005 (HOU) -- Harry Keough, soccer Hall of Famer and former SLU soccer coach
#72 -- 04/24/2005 (HOU) -- Walt Jocketty, Cardinals general manager
#71 -- 04/26/2005 (MIL) -- Bob Uecker, actor, former Cardinal catcher, current Milwaukee broadcaster
#70 -- 04/27/2005 (MIL) -- Ken Dayley, former Cardinals relief pitcher
#69 -- 04/28/2005 (MIL) -- Marine Corporal Eric Shelvy, a graduate of DeSmet High School
#68 -- 05/05/2005 (SD) -- Jason Isringhausen / Ray King
#67 -- 05/06/2005 (SD) -- Andy Benes, former Cardinal
#66 -- 05/07/2005 (SD) -- Bob Pettit, former St. Louis Hawks NBA Great
#65 -- 05/08/2005 (SD) -- Fredbird's mom (Mother's Day)
#64 -- 05/09/2005 (LA) -- The family of Ken Boyer, former Cardinal
#63 -- 05/10/2005 (LA) -- Bing Devine
#62 -- 05/11/2005 (LA) -- Tim Forneris, groundskeeper who caught BigMac's 62nd HR Ball
#61 -- 05/12/2005 (LA) -- The sons of August Busch Jr.
#60 -- 05/23/2005 (PIT) -- Matt Browning, police officer who lost his legs in a vehicle accident while working under cover
#59 -- 05/24/2005 (PIT) -- Joe Cunningham, former Cardinal
#58 -- 05/25/2005 (PIT) -- Dr. Stan London, longtime Cardinals' doctor
#57 -- 05/27/2005 (WAS) -- Flynn, Kannon, Sierra Kile, widow and children of late Darryl Kile, ex Cardinal
#56 -- 05/28/2005 (WAS) -- Frank Robinson, Washington Nationals Manager
#55 -- 05/29/2005 (WAS) -- Jose Cardenal, former Cardinal
#54 -- 06/06/2005 (BOS) -- Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Driver
#53 -- 06/07/2005 (BOS) -- Andy VanSlike, former Cardinal
#52 -- 06/08/2005 (BOS) -- Lt. Col. Todd Robbins, Armed Forces
#51 -- 06/10/2005 (NYY) -- Ted Sizemore, former Cardinal
#50 -- 06/11/2005 (NYY) -- Joe Torre, Yankees Manager
#49 -- 06/12/2005 (NYY) -- Rick Horton, TV commentator and former Cardinal pitcher
#48 -- 06/23/2005 (PIT) -- Brandon Bernstein, NHRA Driver
#47 -- 06/24/2005 (PIT) -- John Mabry, Cardinal utility man
#46 -- 06/25/2005 (PIT) -- Jerry Buchek, former Cardinal
#45 -- 06/26/2005 (PIT) -- Bob Gibson, Cardinal Hall of Famer
#44 -- 06/28/2005 (CIN) -- Kenny Reitz, former Cardinal
#43 -- 06/29/2005 (CIN) -- George Grande, Reds broadcaster
#42 -- 06/30/2005 (COL) -- Bruce Sutter, former Cardinal pitcher
#41 -- 07/01/2005 (COL) -- Ernie Hayes, Busch Stadium organist
#40 -- 07/02/2005 (COL) -- Amadee, cartoonist
#39 -- 07/03/2005 (COL) -- Al Harbosky, TV commentator and former Cardinal pitcher
#38 -- 07/15/2005 (HOU) -- John Stiles, grandson of Rollie Stiles -- one of the oldest living MLB players
#37 -- 07/16/2005 (HOU) -- Kent Bottenfield & Scott Terry
#36 -- 07/17/2005 (HOU) -- Keith Hernandez
#35 -- 07/18/2005 (MIL) -- Jim Otis
#34 -- 07/19/2005 (MIL) -- Danny Cox
#33 -- 07/20/2005 (MIL) -- Larry Walker
#32 -- 07/21/2005 (MIL) -- Mark Lamping
#31 -- 07/22/2005 (CHI) -- Bob Forsch
#30 -- 07/23/2005 (CHI) -- Tim McCarver
#29 -- 07/24/2005 (CHI) -- Vince Coleman
#28 -- 08/01/2005 (FLA) -- Dick Renna
#27 -- 08/02/2005 (FLA) -- Scott Rolen
#26 -- 08/03/2005 (FLA) -- Jack McKeon
#25 -- 08/04/2005 (FLA) -- Tony Perez
#24 -- 08/05/2005 (ATL) -- Whitey Herzog
#23 -- 08/06/2005 (ATL) -- Buck O'Neal & Terry Pendleton
#22 -- 08/07/2005 (ATL) -- Jack Clark & Roger Wehrli
#21 -- 08/16/2005 (ARI) -- Todd Worrell
#20 -- 08/17/2005 (ARI) -- Lou Brock
#19 -- 08/18/2005 (ARI) -- Tom Pagnozzi
#18 -- 08/19/2005 (SFN) -- Mike Shannon
#17 -- 08/20/2005 (SFN) -- Jim Hart
#16 -- 08/21/2005 (SFN) -- Ray Lankford
#15 -- 09/05/2005 (CHI) -- Jim Edmonds
#14 -- 09/06/2005 (CHI) -- Jack Buck family: Carol, Joe & Julie Buck
#13 -- 09/07/2005 (CHI) -- Jim Hanifan, former Big Red coach
#12 -- 09/08/2005 (NYM) -- Tom Lawless
#11 -- 09/09/2005 (NYM) -- Jose Oquendo, the "Secret Weapon"
#10 -- 09/10/2005 (NYM) -- Tony LaRussa
#9 -- 09/11/2005 (NYM) -- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
#8 -- 09/12/2005 (PIT) -- Larry Wilson, football Cardinals
#7 -- 09/13/2005 (PIT) -- Dave Ricketts
#6 -- 09/14/2005 (PIT) -- Stan "The Man" Musial
#5 -- 09/27/2005 (HOU) -- Albert Pujols
#4 -- 09/28/2005 (HOU) -- Marty Marion
#3 -- 09/30/2005 (CIN) -- Mark McGwire
#2 -- 10/01/2005 (CIN) -- Red Schoendienst
#1 -- 10/02/2005 (CIN) -- Ozzie Smith

[alpineinc]

Last night.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/rustyshea.jpg

[The Fonz]

believe me...the mets will be getting better people...i can't see them not getting Piazza for 31, strawberry for 18, Keith for 17, Gary for 8, Seaver for 41, etc...i am hoping they do get doc for 16..that might be a stretch though

[Gary Dunaier]

Here's a photo from last night (June 1, v. Los Angeles). Ron Swoboda had the honor of unveiling the new number.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2544545412_b519088e8e_b.jpg
(Photo taken June 1, 2008. © Gary Dunaier)

The Diamond Vision must be on some kind of delay. On Diamond Vision, Ron and Mr. Met are removing the "55" placard to reveal the number "54," but on the field you can clearly see that the "54" has already been revealed, and the "55" placard is just seconds away from being placed (face down) onto the field!

[Gary Dunaier]

Here are some of the more recent unveilers. Information was taken from the daily Mets Notes, which are handed out to the press and posted in the Press Pass section of the Mets' website.

58-57 - Art Shamsky (Dodgers, 5/29/08)

57-56 - the individual currently identified as just "A Lucky Fan" is actually "Mets fan and movie star" Tim Robbins (Dodgers, 5/30/08)

56-55 - "Mets longtime Shea Stadium employee" Luke Gasparre (Dodgers, 5/31/08)

55-54 - Ron Swoboda (Dodgers, 6/1/08)

[Swoboda4]

Swoboda in the house!

They should have had him dive for the number in right center field.

[SteveJRogers]

Anyone have the Phillies' Vet countdown? I've heard that was top notch as well.

I actually started a countdown thread on a Met message board but got fed up with all the Lincoln-Mercury BS. Well, it has been pretty indicitive of what the Met marketing staff has become over the last ten or so years;

Pandering more and more to corporate marketing gimmicks and comeons, following the crowd (adding black to the uniform and the different uni combos), having way too many "EVERYBODY CLAP YOUR HANDS" sort of hijinks, etc.

Anyway, this blog I know actually does a better job at this "Countdown" than the Mets could have dreamed of! Faith And Fear In Flushing's Countdown Like It Ought To Be (http://faithandfear.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/3/19/3588772.html)

[SteveJRogers]

Mr. Met did the last one.

53 was another Lincoln-Mercury person, and 52 was a representative from the Starlight, Starbright Children's Foundation.

And 67 was a rep from Premio Italian Sausages (they gave out collectible cups that day, sponsored by Premio)

[Gary Dunaier]

And 67 was a rep from Premio Italian Sausages (they gave out collectible cups that day, sponsored by Premio)

Aren't those cups just like the ones they use for the souvenir sodas, except that they've got a different design?

[SteveJRogers]

Aren't those cups just like the ones they use for the souvenir sodas, except that they've got a different design?

I believe so. These guys also have some sort of 3-D action effect going on as well.

[bigworm_122]

can anyone fill in some of the blanks?

[Gary Dunaier]

i can't see them not getting Piazza for 31

From today's New York Daily News: "Don't look for a Mike Piazza tribute in Flushing now that he's retired, such as Piazza being on hand when the countdown of games remaining at Shea turns to No. 31. Piazza's reps said they had no invitation from the orgainzation."

[Gary Dunaier]

Let's get this thread up and running again, it's been over a month since the last post.

First, since the Mets have no more home games this month, here's a complete list of everyone who did it in August. I'm getting this information from the Mets' very own press releases as posted in the Press Pass section of the Major League Baseball website. The current day's notes for all the teams can be found here (http://presspass.mlb.com/pp_teamselect.asp), and you can see older press releases by clicking on "Press Pass Archives," selecting your team, then use the drop-down menu to access the date you want.

August 5, 2008 v. San Diego (30 to 29) - identified only as "Lincoln Mercury Representative"
August 6, 2008 v. San Diego (29 to 28) - identified only as "American Heart Association Representative"
August 7, 2008 v. San Diego (28 to 27) - Clarence Irving
August 8, 2008 v. Florida (27 to 26) - Ralph Kiner
August 9, 2008 v. Florida (26 to 25) - Joye Murphy (wife of Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy)
August 10, 2008 v. Florida (25 to 24) - Jane Jarvis
August 11, 2008 v. Pittsburgh (24 to 23) - identified only as "Lincoln Mercury Representative"
August 19, 2008 v. Atlanta (23 to 22) - Abigail and Spencer Breslin
August 20, 2008 v. Atlanta (22 to 21) - Mike McNamara
August 21, 2008 v. Atlanta (21 to 20) - Jonathan Plummer (son of longtime Mets employee Jim Plummer) and Maxine Agee (wife of former Mets outfielder Tommie Agee)
August 22, 2008 v. Houston (20 to 19) - Bobby Ojeda
August 23, 2008 v. Houston (19 to 18) - Darryl Strawberry
August 24, 2008 v. Houston (18 to 17) - Keith Hernandez
August 25, 2008 v. Houston (17 to 16) - Lee Mazzilli


And now, a few photos. August 8 (Ralph Kiner), from the picnic bleachers.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2791649211_34c63fcd5c.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 8, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2791649211/in/set-72157606923057475/))

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2791651063_3f2cde0af0.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 8, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2791651063/in/set-72157606923057475/))

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2791653975_778658f955.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 8, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2791653975/in/set-72157606923057475/))


From one extreme to another... August 23 (Darryl Strawberry), I was in the very last row ("V") of the upper deck, directly across from the Diamond Vision board.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2795864890_30246b26ac.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 23, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2795864890/in/set-72157606937582750/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2795865312_92d6d6bf9a.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 23, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2795865312/in/set-72157606937582750/))

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2795018695_f2e6c984e3.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 23, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2795018695/in/set-72157606937582750/))

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2795866530_cc11da5423.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken August 23, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2795866530/in/set-72157606937582750/))

[bigworm_122]

i went through all the game notes and updated the list. i am still missing 5 names, that were not on the game notes. can anyone fill them in?

[SteveJRogers]

32-31 - _____________ (Cardinals, 7/26/08)


Apparantly a big female Met fan (ugh, big fan of the Mets, not big in looks) from Mastic, L.I.

31-30 - _____________ (Cardinals, 7/27/08)


Member of the Tropicana Mets Kids Fan Club


45-44 - _____________ (Yankees, 6/27/08)


Mr. Met


61-60 - _____________ (Marlins, 5/26/08)

A USMC lance corporal for Memorial Day

[misterbill]

The final "1" was pulled down by Mr. Met all by himself. There was no "0" underneath, but a logo of Citi Field.

I wonder if the plan had been for current player(s) to come out with him for the final number, except that none of them wanted to show their face on the field after they blew that game?

[donniebaseball23]

The final "1" was pulled down by Mr. Met all by himself. There was no "0" underneath, but a logo of Citi Field.

I wonder if the plan had been for current player(s) to come out with him for the final number, except that none of them wanted to show their face on the field after they blew that game?

Speaking of that disaster, how many of the current Mets stayed for the ceremony?

[misterbill]

Speaking of that disaster, how many of the current Mets stayed for the ceremony?
I didn't see any on the field, but I was in the picnic area and my view of the dugout was blocked. I heard there were none in the dugout. I did hear that Daniel Murphy came out to take some dirt from the pitchers mound with some of the Marlins long after it was over.

[Gary Dunaier]

The "24" is currently being auctioned off on the Mets' website. (Link: here (http://mets.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=101476525&prmenbr=33339254&aunbr=101823235).) Current high bid is $275.00 with a little over two days left.

http://akamai.edeal.com/images/catalog1012/folder93044/img7561099med.jpg

Here's the description:

This 40"x30" vinyl game countdown number sign hung on the outfield wall at Shea Stadium during the New York Mets and the New York Yankees Subway Series game on August 11, 2008. Commemorate the final season of beloved Shea Stadium with this unique piece of memorabilia. If you have any questions about this piece please contact Amazin' Memorabilia, The Official Source for New York Mets Game Used Memorabilia, by emailing gameused@nymets.com or by calling 718-559-3144. A MLB Authentication Program tamperproof hologram is affixed to each piece of Amazin' Memorabilia.

The description is incorrect. First, the Mets played Pittsburgh, not the Yankees, on August 11. It was a makeup of an earlier rainout.

Second - if the number hung on the wall "during" the game, as stated in the listing, it would have been during the August 10th game v. Florida. At Shea, the number shown on the countdown sign included the game currently being played, so in order for the "24" to have hung on the wall during the game the pre-game ceremony would have featured Mr. Met and that day's special guest removing the "25" to reveal the "24." (The special guest that day, by the way, was none other than Jane Jarvis, Shea's queen of melody.)

The Yankees played the Mets at Shea in June. The numbers that would have hung on the outfield wall during those games were 44, 43, and 42.

Someone at MeiGray, or whomever is in charge of these auctions, is not paying attention. Makes one wonder how accurate the rest of their descriptions are... :pray:

[Gary Dunaier]

Countdown sign #s 19 (http://mets.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=101772624&prmenbr=33339254&aunbr=102119334) and 23 (http://mets.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=101772626&prmenbr=33339254&aunbr=102119336) are now available on the Mets' auction website.

[Gary Dunaier]

If you were at the Thursday August 22 2009 game v. Atlanta you had the chance to take home your very own Shea Stadium Countdown sign. There was a table in the Field Level concourse near the rotunda that was selling game-used memorabilia - not a silent auction, and among the items they had were four different Countdown signs, price $100 apiece.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3844440748_207bd5f8e9_b.jpg
(Photo taken August 20, 2009. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3844440748/in/set-72157622106592590).)

In addition to #51 (removed by George Foster prior to the 6/13/08 game against the Texas Rangers), they also had #53 (removed by a representative from the Starlight, Starbright Children's Foundation, 6/11/08 v. Arizona Diamondbacks), #61 (removed by WPIX weatherman "Mr. G" and an unidentified youngster for Weather Appreciation Day, 5/15/08 v. Washington Nationals) and #72 (removed by the children of Mets beat writer Jack Lang, 4/26/08 v. Atlanta Braves).