Displayed is a 1962 scorecard from the inaugural game in the history of the New York Mets', fully scored, on April 12th, against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium I. The Mets' first game was scheduled to have been played on April 11th at St. Louis, but the game was rained out. The '62 Mets were an expansion team that brought National League baseball back to New York City after the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants to California after the 1957 season. Although the '62 Mets had many famous players, most of the them were past their prime and were chosen for crowd appeal. The team finished in last place in the NL, with only a 40-120-1 record, at that point the most Major League losses in modern times. Despite the team's inept play, fans eagerly supported the Mets in that 1962 campaign. The Mets' aficionados were ecstatic to have National League ball back in New York, and they cheered on the Mets despite the squad's many losses.

The colored cover of the scorecard reads,"ST. LOUIS CARDINALS/BUSCH STADIUM SCORECARD 10 c[ents]." The offered 7.5x11" cardstock, 4-page scorecard features pre-printed starting line-ups for each team as well as complete rosters. The offering was fully and neatly scored, in pencil. The actual Mets' line-up for the opening game, including alternate players at three lineup spots, was just as published on the scorecard. The Mets' line-up favored former Brooklyn Dodgers, with four of them in the Mets' starting nine: Charlie Neal at second base, Gil Hodges at first base, Don Zimmer at third base, and Roger Craig on the mound. Neal and Hodges homered for the Mets, but the New Yorkers lost 11-4, with Craig taking the loss. Larry Jackson started and picked up the win for the Cards. Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn played center field for the Mets in this opener, and the team was managed by Hall of Famer Casey Stengel. The Cardinals' lineup included Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Minnie Minoso. The program has a small tear to the top edge on back but is otherwise in excellent to mint condition. The vintage scorecard creates terrific nostalgia and is sure to spark interest in almost any baseball fan.