Shea It Ain't So?

[Max Power]

I've noticed a few in other threads make mention that Shea Stadium is one of the worst in the bigs, from a fan's view.

I also have some Met fan friends who (don't post in the NDF and who) share the same view.

I don't get it?

I've been to Shea a few times in the last 30 years or so - - just a few - - - about 3 or 4 times.

One, I remember well - - OTD 1975, Billy Martin's 1st game as Yankee MGR (Yanks played at Shea then) - - pretty good seats then. And, once in 1999 and again once in 2000 (via company functions) where I sat in the LF Bleachers. Oh, yeah, one time where I went with my friend Mike (probably in the early 1990's) and we sat way up in the upper deck on the 3B side.

OK, so, it's not Wrigley, Fenway, Camden, etc.

But, what's so terrible about it?

[Gosfgiants]

These people have obviously never saw a game at Candlestick Park.

I've been to Shea a few times. I found to be alright. I found that Shea, Candlestick, and Dodger Stadium all have the same basic configuration. Sightlines are ok, but there is not alot of character in these parks.

[pwdennis]

Originally posted by Gosfgiants
These people have obviously never saw a game at Candlestick Park.

I've been to Shea a few times. I found to be alright. I found that Shea, Candlestick, and Dodger Stadium all have the same basic configuration. Sightlines are ok, but there is not alot of character in these parks.

Re: Shea - the nosebleed seats are the worst in either league and the constant roar from LaGuardia does nothing to increase your viewing pleasure either

[JamesI]

I haven't been to Shea since 1986, but I had a great time there. I think some people just want New York to get a new stadium ala Camden Yards or Pac Bell.

[VNV Nation]

I agree Max, I have no complaints about Shea. I think the planes make it sorta quirky.

[rza93]

Originally posted by Max Power
But, what's so terrible about it?

maybe the bright blue color of the stadium and bright orange seats are an eyesore to some, i mean u cant miss the stadium, i can see it from my neighborhood ( yes i live in flushing) or driving on the GCP.

[SmedIndy]

Shea's better than the generic ashtrays of the 70's to be sure.

[Skip]

I bet a lot of the reason why they don't like Shea because it isn't Yankee Stadium. They see the greater character and history of Yankee stadium, and it just adds to the little brother - big brother envy.

[sweaver]

I thought Shea was fine, not great. Of course, I had lower deck seats. I wasn't impressed with Yankee, but I was sitting six rows from the very top.

At least Shea had parking. Then again, my car didn't catch on fire.

[pathogan]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Shea's better than the generic ashtrays of the 70's to be sure.

Shea was the prototype for the neo-stalinist architecture that dominated sports in the 60's and 70s. The sight l;ines at Shea, even in the best seats, are not very good. The La guradia drone[which the reroute during the US Open, so it makes you wonder] you get used to[I grew up 10 minutes from Shea} The upper deck seats are so steep you need a sherpa to bring you there. a lack of bathroom above the Loge section makes for some interesting moments . It is not a bad stadium for football,though.{I worked there when the Jets were a NY team} Shea is not very good, not worse then Veterans or Three rivers or riverfront/cynergy.its is almost as bad.And unlike someother places, it has no charm,so when your team is in the toilet,its a depressing place.

[hugenymetsfan]

I am again a tad late on this one, but I think Shea is average. I make the trek about 5 times a year and have never had bad seats. The planes don't bother me, the fans are great, and the sight lines are ok. The worst stadium of all time is Veterans. That place is a damn cespool. There is absolutely no character or excitement in that place even when they are packed. Oh yeah, well, when they have more than 20,000 fans.

[poorme]

I don't see a stadium meaning much to hard core fans. They are going to go to the games anyway. They care about the team and the game. But a good percentage of people going to games want a Disneyland experience - easy in/easy out, innocuous food, free flowing beer, things for Jr. to do since he's not used to sitting in one place for more than 5 minutes....chain restaurants/ersatz Cheers bars for college people- ESPNZone, Hard Rock Cafe, etc. This is what people DEMAND!

If that's not what the stadium offers..."It sucks"

neo-stalinist?

Shea seems very plain to me. Not good, not bad, just plain. She'll never be the Nicole Kidman or J-Lo of stadiums. But she's there for you in an every day "mom" sort of way.

Personally, I have a soft spot for quirks, and the planes and the apple make it different - and different is good.

[poorme]

Originally posted by CpUltravox
Shea seems very plain to me. Not good, not bad, just plain. She'll never be the Nicole Kidman or J-Lo of stadiums.

Kind of an Ethyl Mertz?

Naah.. County Stadium was Ethel Mertz. Shea is more of a Mrs. Cleaver type of stadium.