The Mets sign former slugger Ralph Kiner, who joins Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy in the announcing booth.
The Mets sign former slugger Ralph Kiner, who joins Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy in the announcing booth.
1962 – The New York Mets sign Gil Hodges for $33,000. The veteran first baseman had been languishing on the Dodgers’ bench for the past two seasons.
1962 – The New York Mets sign Gil Hodges for $33,000. The veteran first baseman had been languishing on the Dodgers’ bench for the past two seasons.
The Milwaukee Braves trade slugger Frank Thomas to the New York Mets for a player to be named later (Gus Bell) and a reported $125,000.
The Milwaukee Braves trade slugger Frank Thomas to the New York Mets for a player to be named later (Gus Bell) and a reported $125,000.
The Rheingold Brewery, in addition to purchasing 100,000 tickets to the new National League’s team games, agrees to pay six million dollars for the radio and television rights to 126 Mets games per year for five years. The deal, the largest of its kind, is approximately double the cost of the franchise and all its first-season players.
The Rheingold Brewery, in addition to purchasing 100,000 tickets to the new National League’s team games, agrees to pay six million dollars for the radio and television rights to 126 Mets games per year for five years. The deal, the largest of its kind, is approximately double the cost of the franchise and all its first-season players.
Ground-breaking ceremony for Shea Stadium
Three thousand spectators witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for the $18,000,000 Municipal Stadium in the Queen’s Flushing Meadow Park. The future home of the Mets, as well as the NFL’s Titans, is expected to ready for Opening Day in 1963, will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, the lawyer who helped to bring back the National League to the Big Apple.
The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft
1961 – The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft. Among the Colt selections are Bob Aspromonte and Dick Farrell (both from L.A.), Hal Smith and Roman Mejias (Pit.), Ken Johnson (Cin.), Al Spangler(Mil.) and Bob Lillis (St.L.). Houston’s first pick is infielder Eddie Bressoud but he is traded before the inaugural season begins.
New York announces that it will be known as the Mets, short for Metropolitans
On May 8, 1961, The new National League entry in New York is officially named the “Mets.” Not Metropolitans, just Mets. At a ceremony at the Savoy Hilton, owner Joan Payson swings a bottle of champagne and, after three unsuccessful whacks, turns the job over to a waiter who uses a bottle opener. The “Mets” was the choice among the 10…
The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets.
The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets. Other names considered included the Avengers, Burros (a play on the word boroughs), Continentals, Islanders, Jets, Rebels, Skyliners, and the Meadowlarks, which was the first choice of owner Joan Payson.
The NY State Senate approves $55 million in funding to build a new stadium in Flushing Meadows Park for the new National League’s expansion team. Until the Queens’ ballpark is completed, which will become known as Shea Stadium, the Mets will play in the Polo Grounds during the first two years of their existence.
The NY State Senate approves $55 million in funding to build a new stadium in Flushing Meadows Park for the new National League’s expansion team. Until the Queens’ ballpark is completed, which will become known as Shea Stadium, the Mets will play in the Polo Grounds during the first two years of their existence.
New York Yankees announce the team will oppose any plan that would enable the new National League expansion franchise in New York, NY to use Yankee Stadium
1961 – The New York Yankees of the American League announce the team will oppose any plan that would enable the new National League expansion franchise in New York, NY to use Yankee Stadium. This decision leaves the old Polo Grounds as the only viable option for the NL’s new team, the New York Mets, who will begin play in a year’s time.
