July 27, 1959 – The game of baseball in New York City had somewhat of an empty spot as just before the 1958 season both the Dodgers and the Giants left the area for greener pastures in California. Though the very popular Yankees organization remained there were still those that enjoyed the National League game.
To help fill the void, lawyer William Shea, announced his plans to have a baseball team in 1961. Shea was best known for his part in The Continental League, it’s part in breaking down the Major League Baseball expansion barrier, and the expansion era of baseball. For the 1962 season, the New York Mets were added to the NL and on April 17, 1964, they played their first game in Shea Stadium, named for their founder, William.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Chuck Bednarik: The Legacy of NFL’s Last Two-Way Player
Just say the name Chuck Bednarik (bed-nare-ick) and you can be certain you’re not talking

Mark Morthier’s Favorite Sport Cards (1972 – 1989)
Although I was never a big hockey fan, I would consider myself a NY

NFL Over/Under Lines: What Past Scoring Trends Could Mean for 2026
NFL scoring patterns rarely stay the same from one season to the next. Offensive

THE NFL’S WACKY, PECULIAR, AND CONFUSING EARLY SCHEDULING PRACTICES!
In the modern world of today’s National Football League, schedules are carefully constructed to

The Kings of Monday Night Football (1970s)
During the 1970s, there was no better team in the NFL at winning Monday

Best Young Australian Footballers to Watch in 2026/27
Saturday afternoons in Australia have a certain rhythm: footy on, maybe some online pokies

5 Best Golf Simulator Designers in 2026: The Definitive Buyer’s Guide
Photo by Will Porada on Unsplash Trying to build your own golf simulator from

ACC Basketball’s Four-Way Tie
In my last article, I made a case for the 1988-89 season being the