A New York City landmark of 45 years welcomed fans for the first time 56 years ago today.
On April 17, 1964, the legacy of Shea Stadium began when the New York Mets first took the field on a warm Friday afternoon. A nearly full-capacity crowd of 50,312 saw the home team fall 4-3 to a Pittsburgh Pirates team that recorded 16 hits and scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning.
It was a landmark day for the Metropolitans, who spent the previous two seasons playing at the Polo Grounds. The team was brought to New York after the city was awarded a second franchise by Major League Baseball.