Lawyer. He is best known for his role in the expansion of Major League Baseball and the existance of the New York Mets franchise. In 1957 New York Mayor Robert Wagner asked him to head a committee to return the National League back to the city. After several attempts to lure an established franchise failed, he proposed to Major League Baseball executives the idea of expanding the league which would include a team in New York City and other major markets. When the idea was rejected, Shea and Branch Rickey (who was also in favor of expansion) decided to form a new league (the Continental League) that would begin to play in 1961. This threat forced MLB to reverse their earlier decision and allow expansion, leading to the creation of the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Senators in the American League,  and the Houston Colt .45s and New York Mets in the National League. The Mets played their first game in 1962.  Their home field,  Shea Stadium (completed in 1964),  is named in William Shea’s honor. (bio by: C.S.)