ALBANY, NY – Assemblymember Aravella Simotas invited former Major League Baseball player Art Shamsky to the capitol to present him with a resolution commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the 1969 World Championship. “I am proud to congratulate the 1969 New York Mets. Their thrilling championship victory was a cause for celebration in the borough of Queens and all through the State. It is so important that we recognize the exceptional players who represent our great State,” Simotas said.

In the first seven seasons of the teams’ history, the New York Mets had never achieved a winning record or finished above ninth place. In 1969, they shocked the sports world winning 38 of their final 49 games and defeating the Baltimore Orioles in five games to win the World Series, earning the team the moniker “The Miracle Mets.”

“Mets fans are a special breed and Mets teams hold a special place in the hearts of our city,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “It was great to have Art Shamsky with us in the Senate as we honored the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Miracle Mets.”

“My Dad took our family to several games that year, way out in the outfield in the upper deck,” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan. “Some of our most exciting memories are the joy the 1969 Mets gave our family and our city.”

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato said, “The 1969 Miracle Mets are emblematic of the people of New York City, and Queens – they were underdogs who were never given a chance – that through teamwork, grit, and determination became champions and shocked those that underestimated them. They gave their fans an identity that the team still carries today and captured the imaginations of a generation of fans who still refer to this team with fond memories. I am proud to honor our hometown team, and all this team meant and still does to our borough.”

Assemblymember Micahel Dendekker said, “The 1969 ‘Miracle Mets’ are a legendary team still honored and talked about to this day. The heroics of the ’69 Mets made Queens more proud than it had ever been, and I was glad that I was able to enjoy watching the likes of Tom Seaver, Cleon Jones, Ed Kranepool, Tommy Agee, Jerry Koosman, and Bud Harrelson compete on a high level at Shea Stadium. I also cherish the memories of watching the 1969 Mets as a young child with my father. The Miracle Mets taught me never to forget that ‘Ya Gotta Believe!'”

“Even though I did not experience the Miracle Mets first-hand, I often hear my friends and constituents recount the inspiring story of the 1969 season. It’s an incredible account of a baseball team prevailing over adversity and a City rallying together to support an underdog. Congratulations 1969 Mets as we celebrate your legacy for baseball and New York City,” said Assemblymember Catalina Cruz.

“The 1969 Mets victory and the players that brought home the championship will forever be celebrated as a significant moment in Queens’ history as the borough of dreams. It’s with great pride that we welcome Art Shamsky to Albany as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Miracle Mets,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic.

“Coming off of a season in which they won only 73 games, the Miracle Mets shocked the sports world in 1969 by posting 100 wins en route to the club’s first World Series Title,” said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, “The lesson: don’t underestimate Queens. Thank you to Assemblywoman Simotas for introducing this resolution, and I look forward to more pleasant surprises from the Mets in seasons to come.”

Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “This was the team that made me first fall in love with baseball, the Mets. For diehard Mets fans like me, 1969 was the year the plucky underdog expansion team truly transformed into the Amazings and then the Miracle Mets. From the Cy Young award-winning season of Tom Seaver, to the hitting consistency of Cleon Jones and Tommy Agee, to the steady leadership of manager Gil Hodges, the 1969 Mets were a team for the ages who won over a generation of fans and fulfilled the championship dreams of a region.”