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Home Run Apple History

ScarletKnight41 Sep 12 2006 07:32 PM

I'm looking for documentation about when the Home Run Apple made its Shea debut. Does anyone have that? Thanks.

KC Sep 12 2006 07:57 PM

Informatioin has it's price.

ScarletKnight41 Sep 12 2006 07:59 PM

Do tailgate party cookies count as currency?

Johnny Dickshot Sep 12 2006 08:00 PM

It was part of the 1980 "Magic is Back" campaign and originally said Mets Magic on it. I guess it debuted in 1980 tho I don't know whether it was opening day.

ScarletKnight41 Sep 12 2006 08:05 PM

Thanks JD.

SteveJRogers Sep 12 2006 08:11 PM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: It was part of the 1980 "Magic is Back" campaign and originally said Mets Magic on it. I guess it debuted in 1980 tho I don't know whether it was opening day. Wow, I bet you there is a misconception amongst those who no nothing about the Mets that it's been there since Shea was built. So it came in with the changeover from green to blue and going straight blue from the panels outside Shea. Cool. I might just check my 81-82 Met publications for some neat pics of it

metsmarathon Sep 12 2006 08:54 PM

i'll bet its something those of us who were threewhen it was installed didnt know either.

SteveJRogers Sep 12 2006 09:01 PM

="metsmarathon"]i'll bet its something those of us who were threewhen it was installed didnt know either. Good point as well. But I'm generallizing that young Met fans have been exposed to various images (films, pictures, baseball cards) depicting an Apple-less backdrop in Right-Center from 64-79 Of course it might not be in someone's nature to have it ingrained in their memory that Shea's outfield fence was green and the scoreboard back then was noticeably different

KC Sep 12 2006 09:44 PM

Weirds me out that people know what I have on that server that I'd have to take time to search for.

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2006 09:48 PM

A good way to see the pre-adorned Shea is to check out the flick 'Bang the Drum Slowly' Much of that movie was filmed there circa 1972: green plywood walls, no apple/hat, no picnic area, etc.

SteveJRogers Sep 12 2006 09:53 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: A good way to see the pre-adorned Shea is to check out the flick 'Bang the Drum Slowly' Much of that movie was filmed there circa 1972: green plywood walls, no apple/hat, no picnic area, etc. Good one! BTW, to the point MM made, a better example actually would be the banners that adorn the walkways and entrance ways of famous moments and Mets (and in the Mezz and Loge walkways you'll see banners depicting members of the All Amazin' Team from 2002). Since those are rarely, if ever shown on film or are captured in photographs, it would be easy to assume that the Mets always had them there, when in fact they started appearing IIRC sometime in the early 1990's

Valadius Sep 12 2006 09:55 PM

Are the Mets bringing the Apple into the new ballpark? They should.

SteveJRogers Sep 12 2006 09:57 PM

Valadius wrote: Are the Mets bringing the Apple into the new ballpark? They should. Yes they are. Not 100% sure if its going to be the actual Apple or a new Apple, but its featured in the back of CF in the plans of the new Ball Park

SteveJRogers Sep 12 2006 09:58 PM

Valadius Sep 12 2006 09:58 PM

Ahhhhh. Fantastic!

G-Fafif Sep 13 2006 01:05 AM

While "The Magic Is Back" was indeed 1980's call to arms (albeit a call to arms like those belonging to Mark Bomback's, John Pacella's and Roy Lee Jackson's), the home run apple didn't debut until 1981, beginning of the season. The Mets tried to keep the Magic theme going for a couple of years. The hat used to read Mets Magic in Metsian script where it now says HOME RUN in block letters. Don't remember when it was switched, but it was well after "Magic" advertising had disappeared. I do remember that in '81, the ad slogan was "The Magic Is Real. Catch It Here." Though not magical per se, the Mets affixed KINGMAN FALLOUT ZONE signs to lamp posts throughout the parking lot, warning patrons that management was not responsible for home runs that shattered windshields and such. Such a fuss to go from 67-95 to 41-62. Jerry Della Femina earned his commission.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2006 04:27 AM

After they switched the sign from "Mets Magic" to "HOME RUN", I remember seeing the actual discarded Mets Magic panel in the the parking lot at Shea just behind center field. It was cracked and in two pieces, and too big to carry, especially since it was before I had entered the stadium. But I wish I had gone back and tried to grab it and bring it home. What a great keepsake that would have been! I imagine somebody who was there with a car that day (I had taken the LIRR) ended up claiming it.

seawolf17 Sep 13 2006 05:49 AM

Boy, how times have changed. You think Fred would just throw out a sign, no matter how broken, these days? Hell no. eBay, baby!

MFS62 Sep 13 2006 06:54 AM

]While "The Magic Is Back" was indeed 1980's call to arms (albeit a call to arms like those belonging to Mark Bomback...) Bomback's nickname was "Boom Boom". He may have inspired the team to do something to celebrate a home run. Later

soupcan Sep 13 2006 07:04 AM

I hate the stupid apple. When it was installed as an accompaniment to the 'Magic is Back' campaign, well I guess it was fine, but years later...? It just makes no sense. An apple? Coming out of a top hat? WTF does that mean? It has no real link to the history or tradition of the team - it's just a relic of an old ad campaign. And what about the fact that it looks like a papier mache project a kindergarten class made? I do like the neon skyline on top of the scoreboard and I really do dig when it lights up after a homerun. Wish they'd remove the Twin Towers from it though. It takes away a small bit of the joy I feel when I look at the sign and see the red, white and blue ribbon surrounding the blacked out towers.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2006 07:07 AM

That's why I like the apple, because it's so stupid.

metsmarathon Sep 13 2006 07:10 AM

hey, i was just about to say that i hope the skyline makes it over to the next stadium, blacked out and beribboned wtc and all.

Willets Point Sep 13 2006 07:11 AM

New York is the Big Apple. A Big Apple pops out to celebrate Mets homeruns. Pretty easy connection to history and tradition in my book.

cooby Sep 13 2006 07:12 AM

I always wondered why they used a top hat because as I recall, the Yankees used to use one in their logo

soupcan Sep 13 2006 07:15 AM

Willets Point wrote: New York is the Big Apple. A Big Apple pops out to celebrate Mets homeruns. Pretty easy connection to history and tradition in my book. I get the 'apple' part, thanks Mr. Boston. How does the top hat factor in? Was David Copperfield the mayor of New York City once and I missed it?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2006 07:16 AM

The hat is a magician's hat. It links to the apple's original "Mets Magic" theme. I like that it's a remnant of a long-forgotten slogan. It's kind of like the story of how the Dodgers got their name.

cooby Sep 13 2006 07:17 AM

ohhhhh

Willets Point Sep 13 2006 07:19 AM

Amazin' Mets, Miracle Mets, Magic Mets. The Mets have a long history with magical kind of stuff too. And David Wright can rock the tophat when he's puttin' on the ritz.

RealityChuck Sep 13 2006 07:19 AM

="soupcan"]How does the top hat factor in? Was David Copperfield the mayor of New York City once and I missed it? No, but Jimmy Walker was.

soupcan Sep 13 2006 07:27 AM

I know why they originally put the freakin' apple in the freakin' top hat. I get that. I'm just saying that it makes no sense now and the actual apparatus itself looks chintzy and cheap. ="Willets Point"]Magic Mets You made that one up. Jimmy Walker is good though.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 13 2006 07:35 AM

There was a period when the leaf on the apple was missing, but it was found in a storage room and reattached. The apple is controlled from the press box with three buttons labeled UP, DOWN and STOP.

Frayed Knot Sep 13 2006 07:36 AM

]I do like the neon skyline on top of the scoreboard and I really do dig when it lights up after a homerun. Wish they'd remove the Twin Towers from it though. It takes away a small bit of the joy I feel when I look at the sign and see the red, white and blue ribbon surrounding the blacked out towers. Gary was talking about this the other day - saying how the ribbon over the towers was the perfect way to handle it; not removing them like they're gone from our memories yet not keeping them there and lit up like they're still up. I agree.

cooby Sep 13 2006 07:37 AM

How do you lose a giant leaf?

seawolf17 Sep 13 2006 07:38 AM

="soupcan"]No, but Jimmy Walker was. Jimmie Walker? I'd vote for him. He's been really funny on the Match Game the last couple of days. edit: I absolutely LOVE the apple. It has to be replicated in the new park; and I agree that the skyline should be there too.

soupcan Sep 13 2006 07:41 AM

="Frayed Knot"] ]I do like the neon skyline on top of the scoreboard and I really do dig when it lights up after a homerun. Wish they'd remove the Twin Towers from it though. It takes away a small bit of the joy I feel when I look at the sign and see the red, white and blue ribbon surrounding the blacked out towers. Gary was talking about this the other day - saying how the ribbon over the towers was the perfect way to handle it; not removing them like they're gone from our memories yet not keeping them there and lit up like they're still up. I agree. And I disagree. There are so many reminders of 9/11, everyday and every where I go that I just don't want to think about it anymore then I have to. Of course it was horrible and we should remember it but why do I have to think about it after a homerun? Is that even really appropriate?

ScarletKnight41 Sep 13 2006 07:42 AM

I love the apple. It's stupid and it's kitchy, but it's fun and it's all ours.

Frayed Knot Sep 13 2006 07:43 AM

cooby wrote: How do you lose a giant leaf? Wilt Chamberlain was playing the lead in a play about Adam & Eve and borrowed it for a while.

seawolf17 Sep 13 2006 07:44 AM

The first time I went back to Shea after 9/11 (I know this belongs in the other thread, but since we're talking about the skyline), we were sitting in the loge reserved, third-base side, directly across from the scoreboard. As the national anthem played, I looked up at the skyline; and just at that moment, off in the distance, a plane flew behind ("through") the towers. Gave me the heebie-jeebies.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 13 2006 07:47 AM

I also like that they ribboned the towers. It was thoughtful. I'm tellin' ya, all this odd Shea stuff would make a great book someday (the panels, the neon figuirines, the picnic area, the moving stands, the Jets, the apple, the bathrooms, Casey's, the Diamond Club, Pete Flynn, the leaky clubhouse, the Yankees in the 70s, the plans for the roof, the landfill).

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2006 07:50 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: I'm tellin' ya, all this odd Shea stuff would make a great book someday (the panels, the neon figuirines, the picnic area, the moving stands, the Jets, the apple, the bathrooms, Casey's, the Diamond Club, Pete Flynn, the leaky clubhouse, the Yankees in the 70s, the plans for the roof, the landfill). I'd buy that book. It should be a coffee table type book.

Willets Point Sep 13 2006 07:51 AM

="soupcan"] ="Willets Point"]Magic Mets You made that one up. Did not. Headline of The Stamford Advocate from October 28, 1986 that I have right here by my computer says "Magical Mets win Series." I've seen it elsewhere too. I wouldn't change the skyline at Shea. At New Shea should they replicate the skyline feature they could build a more contemporary version of the skyline that includes the Freedom Tower.

cooby Sep 13 2006 07:51 AM

Murder mystery

soupcan Sep 13 2006 08:02 AM

="Willets Point"] Did not. Headline of The Stamford Advocate from October 28, 1986 that I have right here by my computer says "Magical Mets win Series." Headline of a newspaper article? C'mon. If that's your criteria let's stick a big gorilla on the scoreboard in the new place because I'm sure there was a headline that once read 'Kong goes Ape!' after a Kingman homerun. ="Willets Point"]I wouldn't change the skyline at Shea. At New Shea should they replicate the skyline feature they could build a more contemporary version of the skyline that includes the Freedom Tower. I agree. ="cooby"]Murder mystery Huh?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2006 08:04 AM

King Kong on the scoreboard? I love the idea! In fact, if they named it King Kong Park I'd be delighted.

soupcan Sep 13 2006 08:06 AM

And he'd be on a pulley sytem that would make him go up and down every time a homerun was hit.

Edgy DC Sep 13 2006 08:17 AM

There's nothing wrong with feeling a small twinge of sadness every time we look up there. That's what we should feel. It lends gravity to what we do and makes our daily efforts a little more substantial and less friviolous, reminds us what we owe the dead and the living. The twin towers will be up there as little more than a curious history lesson to succeeding generations, like D-Day commemorations and Memorial Day poppy flowers were to us. But if we do our jobs, there won't be a twinge of sadness for them.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 13 2006 08:18 AM

Stupid fans rank stupid Shea 29th-stupidest stadium. [url]http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/09/11/fvi.summary/index.html[/url]

soupcan Sep 13 2006 08:36 AM

Edgy DC wrote: The twin towers will be up there as little more than a curious history lesson to succeeding generations, like D-Day commemorations and Memorial Day poppy flowers were to us. But if we do our jobs, there won't be a twinge of sadness for them. I understand what you are saying but I don't feel the same way. Possibly because of my personal 9/11 memories I just don't feel that going to a Mets game and celebrating a homerun should be a time for thoughtful reflection. If the majority disagrees with me - and it appears that they may - then so be it.

cooby Sep 13 2006 08:38 AM

soupcan wrote: ="cooby"]by"]Murder mystery Huh? Like Scarlet's favorite book, "Beanball" And I agree with you To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to build up,a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

Edgy DC Sep 13 2006 08:44 AM

I think we must be the most amused people in history. The media would have us all turn into amusement crackheads if they could. They're doing a pretty good job as it is. In such an environment, there's almost no appropriate time. The Mets, an amusement company, made one. To me, it adds poignancy and substance to each homerun, and makes them more satisfying, not less. It won't happen, but I'd have no problem if the Mets --- should they get to the World Series --- wore the service agency hats, at least for one game.

soupcan Sep 13 2006 09:14 AM

="Edgy DC"]I think we must be the most amused people in history. The media would have us all turn into amusement crackheads if they could. They're doing a pretty good job as it is. In such an environment, there's almost no appropriate time. The Mets, an amusement company, made one. To me, it adds poignancy and substance to each homerun, and makes them more satisfying, not less. I don't know about the rest of the population but I've got plenty of time in my life to reflect, thanks. Like when I'm at services in my place of worship or when I'm sitting down to a meal with my family. When I'm riding my bike, when I'm spending time with my children. I resent being told when an appropriate time is. I can figure that out on my own. Jumping up and down when a Met hits a homerun is not one of those times. ="Edgy DC"]It won't happen, but I'd have no problem if the Mets --- should they get to the World Series --- wore the service agency hats, at least for one game. And probably not surprising to the 'Pool, this is yet another thing that drives me nuts.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2006 09:18 AM

They wore those caps at the game I attended on September 10. And I found myself wondering when this tradition will stop. I think it was nice when the Mets wore the caps the rest of the way in 2001. And it was appropriate in 2002 for the anniversary. But they shouldn't have done it in 2003. Because now they're not going to be able to easily stop. And after a while it will seem to be less of a tribute than it will a strange quirk.

ScarletKnight41 Sep 13 2006 09:18 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Stupid fans rank stupid Shea 29th-stupidest stadium. [url]http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/09/11/fvi.summary/index.html[/url] Stupid? They must be on crack! Shea is in the bottom corner, but it's much better than the stadiums in Tampa, Miami, Minnesota and Oakland, as well as RFK. San Francisco #14? That's my runner up for #1 (after PNC, which they ranked behind Anaheim and Colorado). This is a nonsensical ranking.

seawolf17 Sep 13 2006 09:19 AM

It's kinda like the "God Bless America" every fricking seventh-inning stretch thing. It's annoying, it's tedious, but to even suggest stopping it means you get investigated by Homeland Security.

cooby Sep 13 2006 09:20 AM

I think they could get away with it if they just didn't start it up again at the beginning of a season

Edgy DC Sep 13 2006 09:27 AM

seawolf17 wrote: It's kinda like the "God Bless America" every fricking seventh-inning stretch thing. It's annoying, it's tedious, but to even suggest stopping it means you get investigated by Homeland Security. It's not played every seventh inning stretch and hasn't been for at least two seasons, but is rather reserved for Sunday. They're also quite different things --- a forced musical invocation of the deity and a secular relic remaining on the scoreboard (where it was before the attack, it's not like they added it) for you to observe or ignore as you wish.

seawolf17 Sep 13 2006 09:36 AM

I was specifically referring to the team across town.

Edgy DC Sep 13 2006 09:42 AM

Yeah, well, the team across town...