It's an exciting time to be a baseball fan in New York City (well, sort of—sorry, Yankees fans). The New York Mets make their long-awaited return to the World Series tomorrow, playing the Kansas City Royals on their home turf in Missouri. The Amazin's won't return to Citi Field until game three on Friday, but in the meantime, Mets fans can get their fix by checking out a collection of Mets memorabilia on view at the City Reliquary Museum in Williamsburg. The pieces, on loan from two longtime Mets fans, includes a few truly rare gems, all of which come from the Mets's former home at Shea Stadium (which, you'll remember, was torn down to make way for Citi Field's 2009 opening). For example, the base in the photo above was used during a game celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major-league debut—it even has field dust on it.



Among the artifacts on view are a large sign from Shea Stadium's gallery of retired numbers, this one emblazoned with Jackie Robinson's "42" (pictured above); signage from the stadium; and a ticket collection box from 1964, the year Shea opened.



This bit of signage shows the team's cheerful, bobbleheaded mascot Mr. Met holding the Mets's four pennants (from 1969, 1973, 1986, and 2000)—and of course, now there'd be another one to add to the list.



According to the museum, a fan recently left this rally towel on the display as a sort of offering to the baseball gods (or something).

The memorabilia will be on view until November 29, and the museum will host its own viewing party for game four of the World Series—which, conveniently, happens to fall on Halloween. (Points for any couple who comes dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Met.)

· Shea Stadium Memorabilia from The Rashbaum Collection [City Reliquary Museum]