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The New York Mets, a Baseball Club in the National League East

The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club has reined as one of New York's shining moments since 1959 when William Shea, Esq., announced the formation of a third major league. The Continental League disbanded in 1960 and the Mets were four of the franchises which were accepted to the National and American leagues as expansion franchises. The shortening of the team's name to Mets was gladly accepted by the press and the public. In the first expansion draft in the history of the National League, the Mets spent $1.8 million to draft 22 players.

New York Mets Official Logo

Sports cartoonist, Ray Gatto designed the Mets circular logo in 1961 and this logo has remained unchanged from day one. The orange stitching and shape represent a baseball, the bridge in the foreground represents all five of New York's boroughs. The skyline in the background shows a church spire on the left which is symbolic of the Brooklyn borough churches. The second building from the left is the Williamsburg Savings Bank which is the tallest building in Brooklyn. The Woolworth Building, the

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Empire State Building and at the far right is the United Nations Building. The official colors of the NY Mets are blue and orange, which are also the official colors of New York State.

Tom Seaver "The Franchise" of the New York Mets

Tom Seaver became known as "The Franchise". Seaver helped turn Casey Stengel's lovable losing Mets of the 1960s into World Champions. In 12 seasons, Seaver compiled a record of 198-124 with a 2.57 ERA, for the Mets. This lead the Mets to a World Championship and two National League Pennants. Seavers holds the Mets' career marks for wins, ERA, starts, complete games, strikeouts and shutouts. He won 311 games in his career.

First National League East Champions for the Met

In 1969, the Mets were first place for the first time in franchise history. They won the first National League East Championship in franchise history with a 6-0 victory over the Cardinals and played in their first World Series game. The Mets then won their first World Championship over the Orioles with Donn Clendenon, Al Weis and Jerry Koosman. Willie Mays joined the Mets in 1972 and in 1973 Tom Seaver and Tug McGraw combined on a seven-hitter and

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the Mets won their second National League Pennant.

The 1986 World Series

In 1986 the Mets won the National League East with a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. In one of the greatest games in post-season history, the Mets went on to defeat the Houston Astros 7-6 in a 16 inning game to win the third National League Championship in franchise history. In Game Six of the World Series, the Mets performed a miracle for a 6-5 victory. The Mets then defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-5 in Game Seven of the World Series to become World Champions for the second time in franchise history.

Shea Stadium in Queens New York

Opening day of Shea Stadium

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was April 17, 1964 to a crowd of some 48,736 fans. This $25.5 million stadium was named after William A. Shea who was credited with bringing National League Baseball back to New York. Shea stadium was designed to be the first all-purpose facility capable of hosting baseball and football games with a seating capacity of 55,300 for baseball and 60,000 for the New York Jets football team. Shea Stadium has hosted college and pro football, soccer, boxing, religious conventions, a visit from Pope John Paul II, Ice Capades and a crowd of 60,000 Beatles fans in 1965.

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Shea Stadium served as a relief center after September 11, 2001. Just ten days later, on September 21, the Mets played against the Atlanta Braves, symbolizing the comeback for New York.

Through 2004 the American Baseball League has won fifty-eight World Championships, the National League has won forty-two World Championships, there have been three tie games, one-hundred seven shutouts, one perfect game and eleven instances where a team lost the first two games yet rallied to win the world Championship.