Mets to retire Keith Hernandez’s No. 17 jersey
Former New York Mets All-Star
Keith Hernandez smiles prior to
having his moustache shaved for
charity in front of Citi Field in New
York, Sept. 27, 2012.
Photo by Adam Hunger/REUTERS
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JAN. 28 - FEB. 3, 2022 5
BY JOE PANTORNO
The New York Mets announced
that they will retire the No. 17 jersey
of franchise-great first baseman Keith
Hernandez before the team’s July 9
game against the Florida Marlins.
“I’m thrilled,” Hernandez said.
“This is truly a special honor that lasts
beyond a lifetime. I can’t thank Steve
and Alex Cohen and the Mets Hall of
Fame Committee enough. I was very
emotional when Steve 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.”
After his acquisition from the St.
Louis Cardinals during the 1983 season,
Hernandez helped change the perception
of the lowly Mets into a team
to be reckoned with in the National
League — helping to change the culture
that surmounted to a World Series
title in 1986.
In his six-plus years with the Mets,
Hernandez ranks second in team history
in batting average (.297) and
earned six Gold Glove Awards with
the team, the most in franchise history.
“Keith was the first captain in team
history and a great leader and catalyst
on that ’86 championship team,” Mets
owner Steve Cohen said. “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. Congratulations, Keith.”
Following his playing days, Hernandez
was elected into the Mets Hall
of Fame in 1997 and two years later, he
joined the team’s television booth as
an analyst — a position he still holds
today on SNY alongside Gary Cohen
and Ron Darling.
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