The Mets Police

According to an update posted on MetsBlog, the last piece of William A. Shea Memorial Stadium came down this morning at 11:26 AM EST

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All that's left now are some ramps and a shell. Reports from several sources say that the last piece will come down today around noon.

The most interesting pictures from Tuesday are those of 2 workers high on the shell using blow torches to cut into the framework - presumably to make it easier to come down today. They are Shea's final visitors

Feb 17 Feb 17, 2009 by Mets View Album Play slideshow

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And the blue panels are no more.

The final section of blue came down Monday, leaving just ramps and the shell of 2 sections.

About a dozen people watched as the machines tore away girders, the sound of groaning made it seem like Shea's final death cry.

I would be shocked if anything was left standing by Wednesday.

Here are the pictures.

Feb 16 Feb 16, 2009 by Mets View Album Play slideshow

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No activity at the site on Sunday, but still walked around and took a few pictures.

This week I've been seeing a lot of people coming out to say good-bye to Shea. I've had some great conversations with a variety of people and their memories of Shea - not just Mets games but concerts, Jets, and the Pope.

Enjoy the pictures.

Feb 15 Feb 14, 2009 by Mets View Album Play slideshow

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People love pictures and this week we chronicled the last days of Shea Stadium with pictures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (We will continue with more pictures on Monday and Tuesday - until Shea is no more).

Of course the big story continued to focus Alex Rodriguez and the revelation of his steroid use and the collateral damage that may come from it. Of particular concern was Derek Jeter's non-emphatic denial that he could be on the list of players who tested positive.

As far as A-Rod goes, we asked the hypothetical question if you would do steroids for $27 million a year? And we offered media tips to A-Rod on how to deal with the media in spring training

Meanwhile Bud Selig continues to show his hypocrisy by suggesting he would suspend A-Rod and reinstate pre-steroid records. But if he's going to do that, then he needs to go back over 100 years to the first steroid user in baseball.

And since baseball has become so hypocritical, we here at The Mets Police offered up nominations for our Hall of Infamy.

Lastly, but not forgotten, was the announcement this week that Brett Favre was retiring (again) and that he now joins others who retired in strange uniforms.


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Well, all that is left of Shea is one lone section now. I went out Saturday afternoon and was struck by how surreal it all was. About 2 dozen people or so were out taking pictures.

Three things I noticed:

1. I found it amusing when a fellow fan noticed that the last "neon guy" was the pitcher, considering Shea was such a pitcher's park
2. You will see in the pictures that the NO SMOKING signs on the ramps are still there
3. Another sign still there is the one for the Auto Ticket Kiosk. Given they sold every other thing at Shea I'm shocked these weren't auctioned off as well

I'll be back out at Shea later today and Monday morning with more pictures. in the meantime enjoy these (30 in total this time)

Shea Feb 14 Feb 14, 2009 by Mets View Album Play slideshow

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Well, now I am hearing that the final week of Shea may be next week. Some days I really wish they allowed implosions in NY - it would have made this whole process a lot easier and less painful to watch.

So here are the latest pictures I took on Thursday morning. Come back tomorrow for more pictures taken today.

Shea Feb 12 Feb 12, 2009 by Mets View Album Play slideshow

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On Wednesday morning I drove through the city. First I came down the Deegan and saw the two Yankee Stadiums. I'm sure I'll come to love New New Yankee, but it seems completely useless right now with a perfect stadium right next to it.

Then I looped around and approached Shea from the south (heading north on the Grand Central). it's very strange to see a stadium off to the right of the unnecessary tennis stadium (the newer one being unnecessary).

Then I pulled up to poor Shea. Not much left, and I'm apparently a really lousy photographer.

Hopefully the below works. If not enjoy the one and I'll post the rest after the weekend.

You are invited to view Mets's photo album: Shea Feb 11

Shea Feb 11 Shea Stadium - Feb 11, 2009 by Mets View Album Play slideshow

Message from Mets:

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

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So it's being reported that the last parts of Shea should fall to the ground either Friday or Monday, Anyone who has seen it recently can clearly see that the end of the old broad is near (let's face it, she was never a lady).

I drive past Shea every day on my way to and from work. I have witnessed the painfully slow demolition over the last few months so much so that it has numbed me.

Until this week.

Seeing the last section standing there by itself - well, it got to me. So MetsPolice and I this week will be taking pictures of Shea almost every day, documenting her last days.

Feel free to view and comment.

Shea on Feb 9, 2009 Feb 9, 2009 by Mets Pictures from the final week of Shea's demolition View Album Play slideshow

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