1962 – Don Buddin’s three-run blast in the 11th inning gives Houston their first road win in franchise history, a 5-2 victory over the Mets at the Polo Grounds. Norm Larker hit a two-run shot to account for the earlier runs.
At the Polo Grounds, just 12,447 Mets fans welcome the return of National League baseball to New York. The Pirates defeat the Mets, 4 – 3, behind seven solid innings of two-run pitching from Tom Sturdivant. Sherman Jones is the loser.
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.
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.
On September 29, 1957, the New York Giants played their final game at the Polo Grounds, losing to the Pirates 9-1. After the game, fans stormed the field and tore up the bases and home plate and performed other acts of vandalism as both teams retreated to the center field clubhouses for safety. The following…
At the Polo Grounds, the Giants and Phils trade shutouts. New York takes the opener, 5 – 0, behind Curt Barclay’s three-hitter. Danny O’Connell hits a three-run homer off Harvey Haddix, and Willie Mays bangs two triples. Willie has 15 so far and will top the 20 mark this year in doubles, triples and homers, just the 4th player in history to accomplish that. George Brett will join the list in 1979, the last 20th century player to do so. In the second game, Mays has two of the three hits off Jack Sanford, who stops the Giants, 2 – 0.
May 1, 1957- The Milwaukee Braves win 5-1 in 10 innings bs the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. Frank Torre and Bobby Thomson hit home runs in the 10th inning off of John (Windy) McCall. Warren Spahn pitches a complete game and raises his record to 4-0.
Robin Roberts gets his fourth victory in the past ten days when the Phillies beat New York at the Polo Grounds, 8-3. Philadelphia’s shortstop Ted Kazanski becomes just the fourth player in franchise history to hit an inside-the-park grand slam.
May 17, 1956 – In New York’s Polo Grounds, Warren Spahn outpitched Ruben Gomez for a 7-3 Braves victory. Spahn helped his cause by singling twice, scoring a run, and even stealing a base against a surprised Ruben Gomez. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories about the game, players, ballparks and the…
1956 – The New York Giants football team switches its home games to Yankee Stadium, leading to speculation that the baseball team will soon vacate the Polo Grounds as well.