July 30, 1964 - Tonight at Shea Stadium, where the New York Mets were facing the Los Angeles Dodgers, they celebrated Casey Stengel’s 74th birthday.
Along with a modest collection of gifts, Stengel was regaled by:
Met players leading the fans in a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
A sextet of Dodgers singing a laudatory parody to the tune of “The Band Played On,” a parody composed by Sammy Cahn, an Academy Award-winning songwriter.
A blimp floating over the stadium, flashing greetings in electric lights.
15,000 orange “Happy Birthday” hats distributed by the management to the first 15,000 arrivals.
The most imaginative gift was presented by Al Moore on behalf of Rheingold Beer, the Mets’ radio-TV sponsor.
“Casey,” said Moore, “we know that in August of 1923 you met a young lady sitting in a box seat at the Polo Grounds and that she is still with you. We’ve obtained those actual seats, and we’d like to give them to you and Mrs. Stengel.”
Casey’s wife, Edna, made her appearance at that point, and the couple sat down in the old, green seats and kissed for the cameras.
Stengel himself had little to say in the fast-moving ceremonies, but he made each thank you characteristic.
When Larry Bearnarth gave him the gift from the players, Casey said, without opening the package, “That’s probably the finest gift I’ll ever get — thank you.”
When Mel Harder delivered the gift from the coaches, Stengel said, “I hope every coach becomes a manager.”
When Al Jackson brought out a modest birthday cake, before the mass singing of “Happy Birthday,” Stengel broke off a piece and gave it to him.
This year’s presents included a portable television set from the Met broadcasters; a large color TV set and a lamp for Casey’s clubhouse office given by the management; a cigarette box from the Met players; cuff links from the Baseball Writers Association; and a traveling bag from Casey’s coaches.
Cahn’s words, sung by Don Drysdale, Willie Davis, Lee Walls, Wally Moon, Nate Oliver, and Maury Wills, were:
“Casey is having a birthday, let’s sing ‘Happy Birthday, Case.’
Seventy-four and a gent we adore, even in last place.
There’s simply no doubt he is going the route, he’s keeping the Mets’ hopes alive.
Here’s Happy Birthday ’til next year when Casey is seventy-five.”
The Dodgers won tonight’s contest, 5-3. Sandy Koufax, the Los Angeles starter, has never lost to the Mets.
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