Where's Shea's Scoreboard?

[Swoboda4]

I just called Breeze Demolition and Anthony stated that Shea's Scoreboard was carted to three different locations and dumped. We have napkins holders but the scoreboard was thrown into the garbage! Isn't that the mistake we promised ourselves wouldn't happen again after seing a black and white movie of Ebbets Field being hit by a baseball painted wrecking ball? And,today is the 47th Anniversary of Shea Stadium's groundbeaking ceremony. Where did the scoreboard(which announced Hank Aaron,Willie Mays, Robert Clemente,Joe Namath,etc)get dumped? And who wants to go get it?

[Swoboda4]

[metsbats]

Count me in Robert!

[TNTtoys]

I'm in too. I'll worry about where to put it later.

[BarryMeisel]

Hi Swoboda4,

As you probably know, MeiGray has partnered with the Mets to sell Shea Stadium Memorabilia.

As a business owner, a collector, an avid Mets fan, and someone who is very respectful of the hobby and baseball history, I can assure you that the procurement of memorabilia from Shea was carefully planned.

So there are a few things you need to know:

1) The scoreboard was actually a huge collection of components, many of which would not have translated into memorabilia. It was not one large entity, but circuit boards and pogs and metal boards from which canvas advertisements were attached.

2) MeiGray has preserved pieces of the scoreboard, some of which we have made available and other of which we will make available in the future.

3) When we planned the memorabilia collection operation, many things were taken into account, including the practicality of dismantling the scoreboard elements. Some of the elements of the scoreboard were too old to preserve, and some were too dangerous or expensive to preserve.

I know it is romantic and interesting to think the scoreboard could have been donated, or preserved, or whatever. But the truth is, the structure that stood in right-center field had parts that would not have withstood moving it five feet, and other parts that would have cost a fortune to move without risking likely damage or destruction.

I wish that wasn't the truth. But the sad reality is that like the stadium itself, the main scoreboard structure had run its course.

Hope this helps,
Barry

[metsbats]

Hi Swoboda4,

As you probably know, MeiGray has partnered with the Mets to sell Shea Stadium Memorabilia.

As a business owner, a collector, an avid Mets fan, and someone who is very respectful of the hobby and baseball history, I can assure you that the procurement of memorabilia from Shea was carefully planned.

So there are a few things you need to know:

1) The scoreboard was actually a huge collection of components, many of which would not have translated into memorabilia. It was not one large entity, but circuit boards and pogs and metal boards from which canvas advertisements were attached.

2) MeiGray has preserved pieces of the scoreboard, some of which we have made available and other of which we will make available in the future.

3) When we planned the memorabilia collection operation, many things were taken into account, including the practicality of dismantling the scoreboard elements. Some of the elements of the scoreboard were too old to preserve, and some were too dangerous or expensive to preserve.

I know it is romantic and interesting to think the scoreboard could have been donated, or preserved, or whatever. But the truth is, the structure that stood in right-center field had parts that would not have withstood moving it five feet, and other parts that would have cost a fortune to move without risking likely damage or destruction.

I wish that wasn't the truth. But the sad reality is that like the stadium itself, the main scoreboard structure had run its course.

Hope this helps,
Barry

Hi Barry,

Considering the limited amount of time you were given to procure the memorabilia (2 weeks) I think you guys did a great job. However judging from looking at some of the demolition photos there were still items which if MeiGray had been given more time could have been taken out before the wreaking ball has it's way with Shea.

For example there are still many of the graphic facades along the press boxes, Restroom, exit, and No Smoking signs visible in the demo photos.

Given that Yankee Stadium is still intact 4 weeks after end of the season can you comment on what the rush was for Shea to be demolished?

David

[Swoboda4]

I'm not suggesting the whole scoreboard should be salvaged but rather certain parts of the scoreboard's original "blackboard" front(horizontal innings line score, the "American" and "National" heading to the out of town line scores ,at least cut those away. The 6' x7' umpires line up on the bottom right with its overconfident playoff "RF" and "LF". They were easily cut to dump they could have been cut to save.

[Swoboda4]

How do you like your scoreboard crushed or schreded?

[Vintagedeputy]

I would have liked "the 10 minute head" portion of that sign.

It would look great in my bedroom