Holy Water from the Gowanus Canal, which passes near Ebbets Field, the Dodgers’ old home, and Holy Water from the Harlem River where it flows past the Polo Grounds, the former longtime ballpark of the Giants and the Mets’ home for the past two seasons is used to christened Shea Stadium. The ballpark’s namesake, Bill Shea, credited with bringing the National League back to New York, pours the water from two bottles, blessing the Flushing Meadow structure on the eve of its debut.
On April 16, 1964 — Holy Water from the Gowanus Canal, which passes near Ebbets Field, the Dodgers’ old home, and Holy Water from the Harlem River where it flows past the Polo Grounds, the former longtime ballpark of the Giants and the Mets’ home for the past two seasons is used to christened Shea Stadium. The ballpark’s namesake, Bill Shea, credited with bringing the National League back to New York, pours the water from two bottles, blessing the Flushing Meadow structure on the eve of its debut.
Source:
National Pastime