Overview
There might be a bit of bias here, since this writer is a huge Mets fan. But that’s probably okay, since most of you who buy this DVD set are going to be fans of the blue and orange. There are six DVDs in all, and each of them feature a full game from the history of Shea Stadium, which is in its final season due to the current construction of Citi Field. The games included are Game 4 of the 1969 World Series (Tom Seaver’s 10-inning gem); Game 3 of the 1986 NLCS (Len Dykstra’s game winning homer); Game 6 of the 1986 World Series (Bill Buckner); Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS (Robin Ventura’s grand slam single); the first game in 2001 after 9/11 (Piazza’s game winning homer taking a backseat to the sentiment); and a regular season game against the Yankees from 2006 (David Wright’s game winning hit). The sixth DVD has a slew of special features, including the last out of the 1969 Series, along with other division and series clinching moments, Endy Chavez’ insane catch in the 2006 NLCS, and an interview with Bill Shea, the namesake of the stadium.

What’s Interesting?
1969 wasn’t that long ago, yet it’s truly amazing to see how much times have changed. There are very few advertisements decorating Shea during the World Series, and most of the men in the stands are wearing suits and ties. In addition, hearing the likes of Curt Gowdy, Lindsey Nelson, Keith Jackson and Vin Scully work some of the games make us realize how annoying and commercialized Joe Buck and Tim McCarver have become. It’s also really neat to look back, even to the 1999 and 2000 seasons, and see how much the roster has changed in less than a decade. And if you are a Mets fan, you’ll never tire of watching the 10th inning of the ’86 Series – it still gives me goose bumps and makes me believe in divine intervention.

Best Feature
It was so cool to see Davey Johnson, who later managed the 1986 Mets championship team, make the last out of the 1969 Series while with Baltimore, and then see how fans mobbed Jerry Koosman after the final out. And even though the Mets were ousted by the Cardinals in 2006, I never get tired of seeing Endy Chavez’ catch, which is ranked among the greatest in baseball history. And historians will love the interview with Bill Shea and his thick New Yawk accent.

Could Do Without
I think that 2006 game against the Yankees was put in here as filler, because aside from being a great game, it didn’t really hold much significance in Shea history. The same goes for the extra feature of Matt Franco’s game winning hit against the Yanks in the 1999 regular season. And I was only mildly interested in seeing the NL East clinching inning in 2006 and the NL pennant clincher in 2000.

What’s Missing
There is nothing from the 1973 World Series season. Maybe that’s because the Mets lost to Oakland, but I would have loved to see guys like Willie Mays, Rusty Staub and Jon Matlack in action.

Overall
Not to sound overly excited here, but every Mets fan, young and old, should own this DVD set. There have truly been some magical games and moments in the history of the Mets and Shea Stadium and many of them are captured here. A lot of the set focuses on recent games and memories, but even without any of the ’73 season action, some of the earlier years are still well represented. Let’s Go Mets!