Uniform To Be Retired?

[milladrive]

Whose Mets uniform should be retired? ...if anyone's.

[Mr. Met]

Aren't 14, 41 & 37 already retired?

[Mr. Met]

Oh duh, I should read the poll eh?

I would say Piazza definitely and a strong case could probably be made for Keith & Kid.

[VIBaseball]

Much as I love both Carter and Hernandez and their great contributions to the '86 champions, I wouldn't retire either of their numbers. They weren't "career" Mets and their span with the Mets doesn't warrant it.

Same goes for Piazza (whom I never felt as warm about, but that's just me).

Let's see what happens over time with Wright and Reyes, though!

[cbenson5]

Unless he goes back to the Dodgers after this season, Piazza will likely go into the Hall of Fame wearing a Mets hat. I don't see how you can have a hall of famer wearing your hat and not retire his number.

[Mr. Met]

Piazza was the greatest Met this side of Tom Seaver.

[milladrive]

Actually, I think the National Hall of Fame is a joke, and it shouldn't even play a part in the decision-making.

As for the "career" thing, I'm not sure that really matters much either (though it matters more than the MLBHOF) when it comes to deciding how important a player was to a team's success. After all, neither Gil Hodges nor Casey Stengel were "career" Mets, yet both are deserved of their retired numbers. I'm also glad to see that #24 has been shown its unofficial respect.

My leanings are toward Keith, with Mikey coming in a very close second. If you ask me, both of their numbers should be eventually taken off the menu. In fact, I think all five of those above (along with perhaps McGraw) should be retired (but that's just me).

Besides, if the Devil Rays can retire #12, anything goes.

[Baseball Guru]

I personally would love to see Piazza's # retired!

[The Commissioner]

They were all great Mets, but I don't know that any of their uniform numbers warrant retirement by the organization.

[freshprince85]

no doubt: #31 Mike Piazza

[Red Sox Rule]

I voted for Piazza'z number too

[MetsFan11368]

I voted other. As a huge Willie Mays fan, I honestly don't care if he only played less than 150 games in a Mets uniform back in the early 70s. SF fans never appreciated him as much as we did in NY, therefore, I'd retire # 24.

[milladrive]

We may be in the minority opinion, MetsFan, but I tend to agree with you.

When the Giants were still playing in New York, Mays of course was special to the NY fans. But when they moved west, the love affair didn't end. I'd have to say that besides Gil Hodges and, arguably, Duke Snider, Willie was the "player-that-moved-west-with-the-team" whom NY fans never stopped caring about and pining for. Throughout the 60's, NY and the Mets continued to show Mays the love he deserved, giving him promotional nights, yearbook features, etc. Indeed, Joan Payson was a huge fan.

So, it's with that in mind that it goes well beyond the fewer-than-150-games that Mays officially spent with the Mets as a player. Let's also not forget the 5+ seasons he spent as a Mets coach (honorarily as it may have been at times).

While his number may not be officially retired by the team as of yet, you'll be pleased to know that #24 has been deliberately issued quite sparingly in the nearly-30-years since he wore the uniform. Only twice, in fact. Once, for only 10 days in 1990, when for whatever reason Kelvin Torve wore it. The only other time was '99-'00 when Rickey Henderson carried it with him back to NY. So, before Mays' tenure with the Mets, #24 was worn quite casually by seven Mets. But since, only two, and with reservations.

It may be a while till it's officially retired, if ever, but we can rest assured that it'll continue to be shown the respect it deserves by New York's National League baseball team.

[MetsFan11368]

We may be in the minority opinion, MetsFan, but I tend to agree with you.

When the Giants were still playing in New York, Mays of course was special to the NY fans. But when they moved west, the love affair didn't end. I'd have to say that besides Gil Hodges and, arguably, Duke Snider, Willie was the "player-that-moved-west-with-the-team" whom NY fans never stopped caring about and pining for. Throughout the 60's, NY and the Mets continued to show Mays the love he deserved, giving him promotional nights, yearbook features, etc. Indeed, Joan Payson was a huge fan.

So, it's with that in mind that it goes well beyond the fewer-than-150-games that Mays officially spent with the Mets as a player. Let's also not forget the 5+ seasons he spent as a Mets coach (honorarily as it may have been at times).

While his number may not be officially retired by the team as of yet, you'll be pleased to know that #24 has been deliberately issued quite sparingly in the nearly-30-years since he wore the uniform. Only twice, in fact. Once, for only 10 days in 1990, when for whatever reason Kelvin Torve wore it. The only other time was '99-'00 when Rickey Henderson carried it with him back to NY. So, before Mays' tenure with the Mets, #24 was worn quite casually by seven Mets. But since, only two, and with reservations.

It may be a while till it's officially retired, if ever, but we can rest assured that it'll continue to be shown the respect it deserves by New York's National League baseball team.

Correct on all counts. Why Willie’s # 24 has not been retired is something that has puzzled me forever. I wonder if it has something to do with his job in the gambling industry.

[soberdennis]

Correct on all counts. Why Willie’s # 24 has not been retired is something that has puzzled me forever. I wonder if it has something to do with his job in the gambling industry.

Your reasoning is similar to the idea of the new stadium having Jackie Robinson's name on it. Jack was a Dodger, yes. But Brooklyn not Los Angeles.
I think it would be great for the Mets to retire #24. Other than that I voted none.
As for the fact he only had a short stint with the Mets, how about these.
Steve Garvey #6 retired by Padres, not the Dodgers
Hank Aaron #44 retired by Brewers.

[SirBLaUghs]

I vote Piazza.

#31 should be up there when Piazza goes to the Hall of Fame.

[milladrive]

I think it would be great for the Mets to retire #24. Other than that I voted none.

Why not then vote "Other"?

As for the fact he only had a short stint with the Mets, how about these.
Steve Garvey #6 retired by Padres, not the Dodgers
Hank Aaron #44 retired by Brewers.

Heh, right, and let's not forget Boggs' #12 being retired by Tampa Bay. *shakeshead*

Retired numbers is becoming almost as ridiculous as the Hall of Fame. Some there that shouldn't be; some not there that should...

[Dalkowski110]

I said retire #31 for Piazza. But also, I agree with the above sentiments about the Say Hey Kid.

[milladrive]

Your reasoning is similar to the idea of the new stadium having Jackie Robinson's name on it. Jack was a Dodger, yes. But Brooklyn not Los Angeles.

I'm not sure if your argument is for or against Mays' retirement. Can you be a bit more clear?

I mean, I THINK you're making the point that although Robinson's number was retired by the Dodgers while in L.A., he was more deserved of the number retired by Brooklyn. In which case, I wonder, should the Dodgers have moved back to Brooklyn for the sole reason of retiring Robinson's number?

If you're comparing the thought of retiring Mays' number on the Mets, may I remind you that Robinson never came back to NY. ...I know, I know, he didn't live long enough. But after all -- and this statement is made with the knowledge that Jackie put up with more crap than all of us for one lifetime -- his number has been officially retired by all of the Majors (whether or not deserved), and he's even had a parkway renamed for him. I don't think it's too much to ask that Willie, who was behind Jackie by only five seasons, and had the Giants stayed in NY would've most likely been the greatest player NY had ever seen, should have his due.

How about... Willie Mays Park?

[theAmazingMet]

It's a shame Piazza's isn't retired, and this thread is years old already! What are the Mets waiting for? Don't even say the HOF. It's the Mets, not the hall's call to honour your own! Do the right thing Fred!

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

It's a shame Piazza's isn't retired, and this thread is years old already! What are the Mets waiting for? Don't even say the HOF. It's the Mets, not the hall's call to honour your own! Do the right thing Fred!

They may be waiting for the other shoe to drop on Mike re. the Steroidal Era.

[NYMets523]

Piazza easily.

I'd retire Keith, Doc, and Darryl's numbers before Carter's. He doesn't need his giant ego stroked.

[MSUlaxer27]

As for the "career" thing, I'm not sure that really matters much either (though it matters more than the MLBHOF) when it comes to deciding how important a player was to a team's success. After all, neither Gil Hodges nor Casey Stengel were "career" Mets, yet both are deserved of their retired numbers.

Just curious as I didn't attend my first Met game until 1975...What role exactly did Casey Stengel play in the Mets success? All I have to go on is the historical record (he lost over 100 games each full season he managed the Mets and was on pace to lose over a 100 in 1965 when he "left" the team). What did he do to "deserve" his number being retired by the Mets? Did he play an important role in the drafting or selection of players crucial to the 1969 WS win? (The 1st MLB draft didn't occur until 1966)

All I have to go on is the historical record and the stories I've heard of him falling asleep in the dugout during games and failing to learn or remember (through senility or lack of caring/effort) his player's names. So I ask again what did Casey Stengel do to deserve his number being retired by the Mets?

[MSUlaxer27]

I voted for Mike Piazza for the following reasons: 1st or 2nd ballot hall of famer (the HOF is a sucker for offensive stats, the catching position is under represented in the HOF and Piazza was one of the top hitting catchers of all time) AND he played more games as a Met than for any other team, he played in his only World Series as a Met (which was only the teams 4th appearance in 39 seasons to that point). He played a substantial role in some of the highest points in franchise history. Finally he had what was arguably the most iconic moment of his career as a New York Met when hit the HR against the Braves in the 1st game after 9/11. I know that is what I'll remember him for first when I think of him.

[MSUlaxer27]

Here is something that relates to this post and the ones relating to the creation of Cowtipper's Mets Hall of Fame (both the regular and VC elections). I understand of course the creator's or organizers of any "Hall of fame" can choose to "honor" anyone or anything they choose.

I think it is important however to make a distinction between remembrance and recognition. You can remember players who stand out in franchise history for whatever reason (Marv Throneberry, Choo Choo Coleman, Anthony Young, etc.) by placing their pictures in the stadium concourses noting who they are and why they are there, in a team museum, on the teams official website, in a game day program or media guide (not necessarily in all these places but some combination). In essence, players you have a "memory" of.

I believe though, that you should only recognize the truly great players/managers in franchise history: MVP's, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year winners, Manager of the Year, franchise leaders in HR's, wins, saves etc. in a franchise hall of fame. Finally if they are recognized nationally as "All-Time greats" by their inclusion in The MLBHOF and they played a majority of their career as Mets - you retire their number (Seaver, Piazza soon).

A bar should be set on what merits inclusion in the group to be recognized, if nobody meets it than nobody meets it, but one should not lower the bar once set to "find" people to include.