The New York Mets are set to retire the jersey of former their former star Keith Hernandez this season. The ceremony is scheduled for their home game Saturday, July 9th. Hernandez is the fourth player in Mets history to be honored.
The first baseman joins fellow Mets legends Tom Seaver (41), Mike Piazza (31) and Jerry Koosman (36) as the only players to have had their numbers retired by the club.
Keith Hernandez is currently working as a Mets broadcaster and has been around the franchise in for over three decades in both capacities. As a player Hernandez was a five time All Star, six time Gold Glove winner, and was on the Mets 1984 Championship team.
The ceremony is another step in owner Steve Cohen’s commitment to celebrating the Mets team history.
“Keith was the first captain in team history and a great leader and catalyst on that ’86 championship team,” Cohen said in a statement. “He was a defensive wizard at first and was a clutch performer late in games. We made a promise to continue celebrating and honoring our tremendous history and this is another deserving step in that direction.”
The beloved player turned broadcaster expressed his own excitement for the honor.
“I’m thrilled,” Hernandez said in a statement. “This is truly a special honor that lasts beyond a lifetime. I was very emotional when [owner] Steve [Cohen] called to let me know about the number retirement. This is the highest honor an organization can bestow upon a player. I also want to thank Mets fans, who have treated me like family since I arrived in 1983.”
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