Mets Merized Online - Get Metsmerized - New York Mets

Both of these men are probably in the top 5 of my favorite all time Mets, and certainly deserve many accolades.

However, before their number hangs on the wall, I'd like to see the 18 season veteran, only team he played with NY Mets - Ed Kranpool's No. 7 up there!

Right on Kay! Why are they dragging their asses on that? Great blog!

I too would like to see Piazzas' #31 retired as well as some kind of honor for Johnny Franco.It was really nice of John to let Mike have #31 when he arrived and instead took #45.Since you can't retire 1 number for 2 players maybe after Pedro is gone(which might be after this season.)and retire Franco with #45.Mike still isn't officially retired anyway so it might be a bit premature for him. There probably won't be any numbers retired before either #8 or #17 are hung up on the outfield walls...or wherever they will be put at Citi Field.I'm not sure any will be retired THIS season.

BTW, Eddie Kranepools #7 too...LOL Nice guy and teriffic ballplayer!

But then what # will Jose wear?
(Sorry about all of the comments!)

Adam - he could still wear it, just as some wore 42 in MLB after Jackie Robinson's number was retired.

Grandfathered.......

You're kidding right? Piazza is a Dodger and Franco got booed daily. Unlike certain teams in the Bronx they've done a good job not watering down the retired numbers. Let's let some years go by before we even ponder Piazza. I think long term the Bobby V years will be forgotten by fans.

That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard. You name anything from 1990 until 2005 that was better for the Mets than the Bobby V year. Other than maybe 2006, 1999 was the best offensive team in Mets history.
They reached the playoffs two years in a row, something not done before or since. And they made it to a World Series.
Brother, for some of us younger fans who weren't alive during 1986, 1999 and 2000 is the pinnacle of Metsdom.
You sir are ridiculous.

That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard. You name anything from 1990 until 2005 that was better for the Mets than the Bobby V year. Other than maybe 2006, 1999 was the best offensive team in Mets history.
They reached the playoffs two years in a row, something not done before or since. And they made it to a World Series.
Brother, for some of us younger fans who weren't alive during 1986, 1999 and 2000 is the pinnacle of Metsdom.
At least those guys hustled.
You sir are ridiculous.

Someone mentioned #8, and I have to say, I do NOT want to see Gary Carter's number retired at Shea/Citifield.

I loved when he was on the team, he was a great addition, but he was a Met for 5 years - thats it.

Thats as silly as the Yankees retiring Reggie Jackson's number.

Kay, why not Carter? Gil Hodges had his number 14 retired for the Mets and he only played with them a short time at the end of his career until he managed them for 3 season after retiring, taking them to the 1969 series.So obviously, the criteria for having your number retired is not only longgevity but also quality.Hernandez, Carter and Piazza all played with the Mets less than 7 years but every one of them had a significant impact on the franchise.The addition of Gary Carter helped put the Mets over the proverbial hump and into the 1986 World Series.As far as saying the Expos/Nationals already retired #8 for Carter that should not be a stumbling block.Nolan Ryan has his #30 retired in Anaheim and #34 in Houston AND Texas.

I think 7, 8, 17, 31, and 45 are all deserving (I'd say do 31 & 45 simultaneously after both Pedro and Piazza retire). I think that Jose should pull a Ray Bourque and switch from 7 to 77 out of respect for Kranepool. It's not like Reyes has been wearing #7 on the NY Mets for more than a few years anyway...

I do see the point of not wanting to water down jersey retirements...the thing is, if some of these numbers (at least) DON'T go to the rafters/wall/whatever, then what kind of career would one have to have with the Mets to get their number retired? Would it HAVE to be lifetime Met and HOF'er?

I'd personally say that Piazza deserves to have his number retired, and Franco at least deserves some kind of giant permanent picture of him during either 2000 or late 2001 (if not having his number retired). Maybe do something like a Mets Ring of Honor in CitiField: honor players without retiring their numbers. Have some of the great Mets (like Carter, Kranepool, Franco, etc) who won't have the jerseys retired and all of those who DO have their numbers retired line a level at CitiField...I got the idea from (forgive me for this Jets fans) Dolphin Stadium with what the Dolphins do. They have their all-time greats (including coaches/very important people like Don Shula and Joe Robbie) in a ring around the stadium (# and Name). It would be a very cool thing to have in CitiField, especially if we want to reserve jersey retirements for a very very select few.

This is all good brainstorming, but as far as a Ring of Honor at Citifield? You folks do know that there is a NY Mets Hall of Fame and alot of these fellows would qualify for that, if they are not already in it. So to add something, in addition, I think would lessen what already exists.

Adam - as far as Gil Hodges, I'd "guess" that the difference is that Gil died way too soon, and I'd like to "believe" that he would have gone on for many more years and done some great things had he not had a heart attack in his late 40's.

I know Kay, I read that in his biography.Still, his time with the Mets was very short and if he left to manage somewhere else or retire would he still be worthy?We can't really go with "what if's?" can we?I thought you were qualifying on years of service in Queens given the fact that Carter only played 5 seasons.As many seasons as Eddie Kranepool played with the Mets he still only hit .261 with 118 homers lifetime. Even as one of my all time favorites and a great guy, statistically wasn't as proficient or able to change the team like Carter.I'm aware of his many Mets records, but they will most likely be broken sometime by either Wright or Reyes.With the talent these guys have they can do in 8 years what it took Eddie his whole career to do!;) Either way, I do agree, that Gil might have done greater things, perhaps even won the series against Oakland in '73...Too bad he passed away.

Adam - you have great counterpoints too. I dunno in the long run either. It seems that the organization in general, are not quick to retire numbers anyhow, which I do agree with too.

Either way, all of the above mentioned are all great men that did great things for team.

I am willing to admit my bias for Gil Hodges too - he was my Dad's favorite player and I guess every mention of him reminds me of my Dad that I miss dearly so I guess I'm talking more emotional than statisically, but isn't that why we love Baseball in the first place, the feeling it leaves in our heart - mostly good :)

I agree Kay, the Mets give me that warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart!
If we went on emotion than I probably would have retired Strawberry and Dr.Ks numbers too!
It's good they don't do it often...otherwise it would become stale.