Mets Announce Willie Mays Number Retirement During Old Timers’ Day

The Mets introduced their first Old Timers’ Day since 1994 with a special ceremony for all those in attendance Saturday. It certainly lived up to Mets’ fans expectations, but it took a welcome twist when the team announced they’d be retiring Willie Mays‘ number 24.

Mays played for the Mets in the final two years of his career, from 1972-1973. He helped the Mets win the 1973 National League pennant. This retirement was a fulfillment of a promise that original Mets owner Joan Payson made, which was that his number would be retired after his career ended. Payson died in 1975, before she could make good on her promise, Howie Rose explained.

“All these years later, it has remained unfulfilled,” Rose continued. “Until today.”

Those last two words were met by a cheer from the Citi Field crowd, and Rose went on.

“The New York Mets are proud to announce that in accordance with Mrs. Payson’s wishes, and at the urging of his former Mets teammates, in recognition of his contributions to the Mets, as well as baseball in New York and the country at large, ‘Willie Mays 24′ will take its place in the left field corner here at Citi Field with the other greats in Mets history. From this date forth, no Met will ever wear Willie Mays’ iconic number 24.”

Willie’s son Michael, donning a full Mets uniform, came out to represent the Mays family and was greeted with a hug by Cleon Jones. Willie was not able to be in attendance, but the Mets played a special pre-written message from him.

“Mets fans always gave me the biggest ovations and the loudest ‘thank yous’ ever. Today, I return those thank yous from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, Mets!” Mays wrote at the end of his message.

The Hall of Famer of course had a storied career, making 24 All-Star games and earning 12 Gold Gloves. He hit 660 home runs while hitting .301 over 23 seasons. While he only played for the Mets for the two aforementioned years, he played for the New York Giants from 1951-1957.

Mays joins Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Keith Hernandez as Mets to have their number retired.