Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.
Greg Prince discovered the Mets when he was 6, during the magical summer of 1969. He is a Long Island-based writer, editor and communications consultant. Contact him here.
Jason Fry is a Brooklyn writer whose first memories include his mom leaping up and down cheering for Rusty Staub. Check out his other writing here.
Ernie Banks became famous at Wrigley Field for, among 512 other things, suggesting, “Let’s Play Two!” Dave Murray doubled up on Mr. Cub by heading to the North Side of Chicago on Saturday and wearing four…the four retired Mets numbers featured on the now classic Faith and Fear in Flushing t-shirt.
As Dave recounts at the ever-entertaining Mets Guy in Michigan, he encountered a reasonably savvy souvenir shop owner in Wrigleyville who observed:
“OK, I know what the shirt means, but who is No. 14?”
Dave clued him in that it was none other than the manager who bested Leo “No, these were the real Mets” Durocher in 1969, Gil Hodges.
Also wearing 14 that summer and for many summers in Chicago, Ernie Banks.
Do you know how close I was to wearing that shirt?? I had worn it to the gym like the day before I left on vacation and didn't have time to wash before going to the windy city. Dave, wish I'd know you were going to be there – we could have met up! !~ Coop
As I entered Philly's CPB, the scorecard seller stared at the shirt and yelled over “I got all of them but 37.”
GET THE SHIRT!
The Faith and Fear in Flushing "numbers" shirt has been seen from Verona, N.J., to Venice. You can get yours right here -- price about as cheap as we can make it.
GET THE BOOK!
Faith and Fear in Flushing: An Intense Personal History by Greg Prince (foreword by Jason Fry), is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online booksellers.
Do you know how close I was to wearing that shirt?? I had worn it to the gym like the day before I left on vacation and didn't have time to wash before going to the windy city. Dave, wish I'd know you were going to be there – we could have met up! !~ Coop
Coop, that would have been sweet!
As I entered Philly's CPB, the scorecard seller stared at the shirt and yelled over “I got all of them but 37.”