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for breaking news visit www.qns.com JANUARY 28, 2016 • The CourieR SUN 51 sports METS TO RETIRE HALL OF FAMER PIAZZA’S NUMBER By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@qns.com @robbpoz Mets fans will have 31 reasons to celebrate baseball’s newest Hall of Fame inductee this July. The Mets announced on Jan. 25 that they would retire beloved catcher Mike Piazza’s number, 31, on July 30 at Citi Field as part of a three-day celebration of the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history. Piazza was elected earlier this month by the Baseball Writers of America to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He joined the Mets in 1998 and became fan favorite overnight, leading the Mets to the World Series in 2000 and hitting a number of dramatic home runs along the way during his seven years with Queens’ only professional sports team. When his number is retired this July, Piazza will be only the second position player in Mets history to receive such an honor, the other being Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, whose 41 was retired in 1988. The Mets also retired the numbers of two managers: Casey Stengel’s 37 in 1965 and Gil Hodges’ 14 following his sudden death in 1972. Number 42 is retired by all 30 Major League Baseball teams in honor of Jackie Robinson. “We are truly thrilled to honor Mike by retiring his number during a weekend-long celebration recognizing his incredible career,” Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. “His offensive prowess, ability to deliver in the clutch and tireless work ethic helped him become one of the great catchers of all time.” “It is such a tremendous honor to have my number retired alongside the great Tom Seaver,” Piazza said. “My time as a Met was truly special, and I want to thank Fred Wilpon, Mets President Saul Katz, Jeff Wilpon and the entire organization for this incredible gesture.” The festivities coincide with the Mets three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies. Piazza’s number will be retired in a pre-game ceremony scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. The Mets are offering special Piazza-themed promotions for fans attending the other games that weekend. All fans attending the Friday night game will receive a replica Piazza jersey, while the first 15,000 fans at the Sunday game will receive a Mike Piazza bobblehead doll. Along with outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., Piazza will be formally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, on July 24. File photo The Mets will retire Hall of Fame inductee Mike Piazza’s number this July at Citi Field. Golden Gloves 2016 to host seven fight nights in Queens By Alina Suriel asuriel@qns.com/@alinangelica Keep an eye out for matches located near you! Queens residents will have seven chances to watch the Daily News Golden Gloves Tournament in the “World’s Borough” as the championship celebrates its 89th anniversary. The Golden Gloves tournament is an annual boxing competition open to non-professional boxers age 16 and over. It was founded in 1927 by Daily News sports editor Paul Gallico and has produced 10 Olympians and 41 world champions to date. The upcoming series will feature 420 fighters, including 61 competitors in the 152-pound novice class — the largest group in the tournament. Manhattan’s BB King Blues Club will kick off opening night this Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at venue’s box office. The matches will conclude with a two-day event on April 18 and 19 in Brooklyn’s Barclay Center. Queens will be hosting the tournament as follows. Contact host venues for information on how to purchase tickets for each event. FLUSHING — Feb. 3: St. Andrew Avellino Church, 35-60 158th St. FLUSHING — Feb. 19: Holy Cross High School, 26-20 Francis Lewis Blvd. JAMAICA — Mar. 1: Jamaica Center for Performing Arts, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. FLUSHING — Mar. 11: Holy Cross High School, 26-20 Francis Lewis Blvd. ASTORIA — Mar. 23: East River Kiwani’s Club, 44-01 Broadway. FLUSHING — Mar. 25: Electchester Union Hall, 158-11 Jewel Ave. JAMAICA — Mar. 29: Club Amazura, 91-12 144th Pl. Photo courtesy of JP Yim Stylianos Kalamaras, 25, of Bayside won his first Light Heavyweight Golden Gloves championship last year during the 88th annual tournament.


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