April 17, 1964 –
The New York Mets played their first game at Shea Stadium on this date, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3. The five tiered stadium seated 55,601 fans. For previous two years, the Mets had played their home games at the Polo Grounds, previously the home of the New York Giants.
It was the first stadium of its size to have an extensive escalator system, being able to convert from a football gridiron to a baseball diamond by two motor operated stands, not having light towers and in which every seat was directed at the center of the field.
The Haus of Dcaligari 