Shea Stadium: the end of an era!

Mets officials tell me that the final remaining section of Shea Stadium should be demolished by this afternoon. COO Jeff Wilpon also told us that the club plans to have markers in the parking lot where Shea once stood marking where home plate, the pitcher's mound and the bases once stood at the old stadium. ... 1:40 P.M. UPDATE: Club officials said the last remaining piece was Section 5, which was located between home plate and first base. Here is a picture the Mets shot of the final outcome ...

Here's an amazing time lapse video the demolition process.



And here's a great and moving video tribute to Shea Stadium.



And here's classic Shea Stadium history, Keith Hernandez getting introduced for the celebrations of the Mets World Series victory in 1986!



And Newsday adds:

The deconstruction of Shea Stadium began almost immediately after the Mets' 2008 season ended with a 4-2 loss to the Marlins on Sept. 28. Now, less than five months later, all that's left of the Mets' old home is a large pile of debris with their new home, Citi Field, in the background.

The Shea Stadium site will eventually become the parking lot for Citi Field. The team's original goal was to have the lot ready to be used by their home opener April 13, but it's more likely going to take a little more time. The new ballpark actually will be inaugurated on April 3, when the Mets host the Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game. The teams will play a second exhibition on April 4.

In the Bronx, the old Yankee Stadium still stands at River Avenue, across 161st Street from the new stadium, where the Yanks will play the Chicago Cubs in exhibitions April 3 and 4, and open the regular season April 16 against the Cleveland Indians.