In a surprise salute at Citi Field, the Mets retired Mays’ jersey Saturday as part of the festivities during the organization’s first Old-Timers Day since 1994. “From this day forward, no Met will ever wear Willie Mays’ iconic No. 24,” emcee Howie Rose read to a near-standing ovation from the crowd. The Say Hey Kid, forever No. 24. 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/FZ2m9YJkLJ — New York Mets (@Mets) August 27, 2022 One of baseball’s greatest players, the Hall of Fame center fielder starred for the Giants in New York from 1951-57 and then in San Francisco from 1958-72 after the club moved to the West Coast. He returned to the Big Apple in a trade in May 1972 and spent his final two seasons with the Mets, helping them reach the 1973 World Series. Mets charter owner Joan Whitney Payson told Mays he would be the last player in franchise history to wear No. 24. But Payson died shortly after Mays retired in 1973, and the Mets finally made good on the promise its nearly 50 years later under current owner Steve Cohen and his wife, Alex. “I want to thank Steve and Alex Cohen for making this day possible and embracing Mets history,” Mays said in a statement read aloud during the ceremony. “I can never forget how it felt to come back to New York to play for all the loyal Mets fans. I am very proud to finish my career in Queens with the Mets during the ’73 World Series. It is an honor number retired in my two favorite cities — New York and San Francisco. New York was a magical place to play baseball.” Mays, 91, was unable to attend the celebrations after undergoing hip replacement surgery, but was represented by his son, Michael. “We’re excited,” Michael said. “Too long, sure.” The surprise announcement followed a video tribute to Mays after the Old-Timers’ Day introductions. Behind the pitcher’s mound, a blue No. 24 with orange trim was unveiled as former teammate Cleon Jones and other former Mets applauded. The placard will be placed next to the team’s other retired numbers on the roof of Citi Field in the left field corner. The honor for Mays capped a 40-minute ceremony that connected players from throughout the Mets’ 60-year history. A game-changing exhibition game that lasted 2 1/2 innings followed. Mays became the fifth Mets player to have his number retired and the second this season. Keith Hernandez had his No. 17 jersey retired on July 9. They joined Jerry Koosman (36) and Hall of Famers Tom Seaver (41) and Mike Piazza (31). Former coaches Casey Stengel (37) and Gil Hodges (14) were also so honored, and Jackie Robinson had his No. 42 jersey retired by all 30 major league teams. Mays is the 15th person in major league history to be retired by multiple teams. Drafted by the San Francisco Giants on May 12, 1972. A 24-time All-Star, Mays was a two-time NL MVP and won 12 Gold Gloves. When he retired, he ranked third in homers (660), runs (2,062) and total bases (6,080), seventh in hits (3,293) and RBI (1,909), and first in runs scored by an outfielder (7,112). He was the first player in major league history with 300 or more homers and 300 or more stolen bases. Mays played 135 games with the Mets and hit the last 14 home runs for the team. Mets fan favorites Bartolo Colón and Endy Chávez received the loudest cheers among the 63 player recommendations. The crowd laughed out loud when former manager Bobby Valentine donned a fake mustache for his introduction. He famously returned to the dugout in a disguise after being ejected from a game in 1999. Former ace Dwight Gooden, who was in his final season with the Mets the last time Old-Timers Day was held in Queens at Shea Stadium, was also on hand. He hopes the event is here to stay. “You’re going to be a kid again,” Gooden said. “I’m living the life of a father now, which is nice too. But now I’m getting to be a kid, even if it’s just for today.” Also in attendance was Frank Thomas, a Met original from 1962 — along with four teammates. “This is my last baseball throw,” said the 93-year-old Thomas.
