Shea Stadium facts for kids

William A. Shea Municipal Stadium
Shea Stadium, Shea
Location	123-01 Roosevelt Avenue; Flushing, New York 11368-1699
Broke ground	October 28, 1961
Opened	April 17, 1964
Closed	September 28, 2008 (Final game)
Demolished	October 14, 2008 - February 18, 2009
Owner	City of New York
Operator	New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	US $28.5 million
Architect	Praeger-Kavanaugh-Waterbury
Capacity	57,333
Tenants
	New York Mets (MLB) (1964-2008); New York Jets (AFL/NFL) (1964-1983); New York Yankees (MLB) (1974-1975); New York Giants (NFL) (1975)

William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, or more commonly Shea Stadium (often referred to in short as Shea), was a major league ballpark that was the home for the New York Mets 1964 to 2008 when the Mets left for their new home Citi Field. Shea was also the home of the New York Yankees while Yankee Stadium was being renovated for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. It was demolished between October 14, 2008 and February 18, 2009.

Images for kids

A game at Shea during the 1964 season
Plaque commemorating the location of Shea Stadium's home plate, now in Citi Field's parking lot.
Shea Stadium prior to a game in September 1969.
A baseball game at Shea Stadium in 2007. The construction of Citi Field is visible beyond left field.
Shea Stadium prior to the start of a New York Mets game in 2008. Shea had the best attendance in the National League that year, averaging over 51,000 fans per game.
A concept drawing of Shea Stadium in football configuration
Shea Stadium and vicinity, with the Manhattan skyline in the distance, 1981
One of the neon players on the outside of Shea Stadium.
Shea's exterior, pictured here in 1964, was decorated with blue and orange panels from 1964 until their removal in 1980.
Shea Stadium from the air, 2005. Citi Field was later built in the parking area to the right (east) of the stadium.
The skyline from Shea's scoreboard, now on top of the Shake Shack in Citi Field.
Shea's home run apple