The 2023 Gotta Have Sports Elite Auction

Lot #159:

Historic 1963 New York Mets Homemade Stadium Banner From 1st Annual Banner Day

A rare artifact from yesteryear dating from the second season of the young New York Mets franchise is this fun homemade banner (perhaps made from a plastic tablecloth) fondly painted “In 1964-We Bet It Will Be Yanks/Mets This We Promise ‘Cause We Have Frank Thomas.” Measuring 24 X 21 the banner is accompanied by a copy of a snapshot of a youngster displaying the banner on a pair of sticks. The banner originates from The Mets very first banner day event held on September 15, 1963 – an event that would become an annual tradition of The Mets for several decades to follow. Displayed with this listing as further provenance is an image from the event itself showing young members of the same family holding another banner while at the Polo Grounds (home to The Mets in 1962 and 1963) with a Mets player on either side, Galen Cisco on the left and Frank Thomas on the right. Thomas was an original 1962 Met and led the team with 34 HRs and 94 RBIs that year. Thomas was later traded to the Phillies in August of 1964. This is truly an “Amazin’” artifact from the sophomore season of this young franchise and the inception of what would become an annual event bringing the fans and players together. Good condition. Comes with a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.