1964 Timeline

The New York Mets open ticket offices for advance ticket sale for the 1964 season at Shea Stadium. The New York Times reported, “Although it produced no overwhelming crush, the opening did result in an encouraging turnout. Surprisingly so considering that the Mets do not open their home season in the Stadium until April 17 when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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.

After spending the first two years of their existence at the Polo Grounds, the Mets play their first game at Shea Stadium in front of 50,312 fans in Queens. The Amazins' drop the stadium opener to Pittsburgh, 4-3, with Willie Stargell hitting the first homer in the Flushing facility.

The Mets record their first win at Shea Stadium as Al Jackson shuts out the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-0.

The Mets host their first night game at Shea Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds. Larry MacPhail, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. and Mets Board Chairman M. Donald Grant flip the switch on the new lights. The Mets fall to the Reds, 12-4.

Doubleheader vs. Giants ends with 8-6 SF win in the nightcap, in 23 innings. A few thousand from packed house of 57,037 are left at the finish, eating giveaway hot dog rolls with the concession stands long since closed.

The Mets execute an unusual two-man 6-6-3 triple play in the top of the 14th frame of the team's 23-inning marathon 8-6 loss to the Giants when shortstop Roy McMillan snares Orlando Cepeda's line drive headed for center field for the first out, tags second base to double off Jesus Alou for the second out, and then throws to first baseman Ed Kranepool to catch Willie Mays off first base for the final out. The play is the team's second triple-killing in the franchise's brief history, having pulled one off against Los Angeles in 1962, the team's inaugural season.

On Father's Day, Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning becomes the first modern pitcher to toss a no-hitter in both leagues when he throws a perfect game to beat the Mets, 6-0.

Shea Stadium plays host to the 1964 All-Star Game. It was the first (and only) midsummer classic played at the ballpark. Mets second baseman Ron Hunt makes franchise history as the first Mets starter in an All-Stare Game. He goes 1-for-3. The National League wins 7-4 on Johnny Callison's dramatic three-run walk-off home run.

Wire service reports claim Casey Stengel will be fired and replaced by San Francisco Giants manager, Alvin Dark. The Mets denied the rumors.

Yogi Berra signs a two-year contract with the Mets as a player-coach, earning $35,000 per season. Berra collects two hits in nine at-bats before retiring as a player.

The Mets purchase Warren Spahn from the Braves. Spahn pitches one-half season for the Mets, recording a 4-12 record in twenty appearances before he was traded to the San Francisco Giants.