How important is this three-game series at Shea between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies? By late Sunday, the Mets could find themselves sitting pretty with a six-game N.L. East lead, tied for the division or anywhere in between. In other words … HUGE!
The Shea Stadium countdown on Friday night drops to 15, which means we’re beginning to cement the likelihood that fans filling the Flushing Meadows ballpark might never witness a Mets’ no-hitter. Shea, which accepted the Mets NoNoHitters torch from the Polo Grounds in 1964, would then have to pass it on to Citi Field.
I’d like to see the 7,460-game curse broken at at Shea, even if it means the obsolescence of this Web site.
The grass sod that will eventually surround the new mound at Citi Field might be beautiful and well-groomed, but it won’t be the place where Jerry Koosman jumped into the arms of Jerry Grote in 1969, or where Jesse Orosco in 1986 tossed up his glove, dropped to his knees and raised his arms in celebration.
A streak with this longevity needs to be broken at home, and for 15 more regular-season games (and God-willing some additional postseason contests) Shea is home.
Mike Pelfrey, Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana all take the Shea mound this weekend, and all have the ability to make it happen. The accomplishment would honor an Aase-to-Zachary cadre of pitchers that includes such greats as Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Jon Matlack and Koosman.
It’s time.
