Strong winds and freezing temperatures were no match for optimism and enthusiasm yesterday at Shea Stadium, where hundreds of die-hard Mets fans bought tickets for games they hope will lead to the team’s first championship in 20 years.

All told, the Mets said they sold about 130,000 single game tickets yesterday, including all of those availabale for the three games against the Yankees at Shea and the home opener.

Freezing fans were greeted by former ’86 Mets Howard Johnson, Tim Teufel, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez and Mookie Wilson.

Paul Buyueyo, 19, who wasn’t even born when Wilson’s slow roller slipped between the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner, was the first to snag tickets to a game this season.

But he had to wait since Tuesday evening to claim the honor and be first in line when the gates went up at 9 a.m.

“Last night was the worst night,” said Buyueyo, a Kearny, N.J., resident. “It was very cold. But as a Met fan you just have to brave it out.”

Buyueyo’s eagerness gave him a 60-minute jump on Matt Hoey, who had been first in line for seven years running.

“I don’t mind having my streak snapped,” said Hoey, who traveled from Newburgh to lose his crown. “I’d rather be a true Met fan than go to a scalper trying to sell tickets.”

He still has one streak intact: 22 home openers and counting. The Mets open their season at home on April 3 against the Nationals.

The new Mets, which include first baseman Carlos Delgado and closer Billy Wagner, will spend much of the season celebrating the old Mets. On Aug. 19, the team will celebrate the 1986 World Series title with a pre-game on-field reunion of that team.

With Joel Sherman