I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted and with the start of the postseason right around the corner, I will be back. However, this story has been on my mind and I just need to let it out….
This week, the New York Mets announced that in 2020, the franchise plans to retire 1969 World Series champion pitcher Jerry Koosman’s number 36. This came as a shock to many Mets fans, including myself, as the Wilpons and company have continuously stated that the retiring of player numbers was to only occur for players who have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame (see Seaver, Piazza). Not to say that Koosman is not deserving of this honor because he most definitely is. From 1967 to 1977, Koosman won 140 games in the orange & blue, which ranks 3rd all time in franchise history. He was an integral part of the ‘69 championship team and was a more than solid number 2 behind the great Tom Seaver. He is beloved among the Met faithful who are more than ecstatic to see another number hang high above the Citi Field stands.
In yesterday’s press conference announcing this news. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon stated ““I think we see the fans want it, and now that we are 50 years plus in the making, it’s time to do it and some guys have cemented themselves….I think we have a plan to catch up…” which implies that maybe ownership will be loosening it’s reigns on number retirements over the next several years and Met fans will get to see some more guys who we loved watch over the years have this honor bestowed upon them. I’ve already seen some articles or social media posts about other Met grates who deserves to have their numbers retired so naturally, I have to give my two sense on the subject:
Gary Carter – 8
The fact that this hasn’t been done upsets me enough. Although only a Met for 5 short years, the impact Carter made on the franchise was substantial. He was the glue that helped bond the Mets teams of the late 80’s and was a crucial part of that 1986 championship season. His personality, leadership and all around style of play has cemented his presence in Mets fans’ hearts forever. Unfortunately, when and if the time his number is called comes, the Kid will not be there physically due to his tragic death in 2012. This was one that should have been done once he was inducted into Cooperstown in 2003. Sure, he went in as an Expo but Carter himself wanted to don that NY insignia on his plaque. He was a Met in the truest sense of the word. 8 has been out of transition and has not been assigned to a player since 2002.
Keith Hernandez – 17
A player who many argue should be in the Hall of Fame as well as should have already had his number retired, Hernandez was another important piece of the Mets in the late 80’s. Co-captain with Carter and is arguably the greatest defensive first baseman in history. 11 straight Gold Glove awards from ‘78 to ‘88 also ranks number one amongst all time first basemen. Offensively is where many may feel he lacked considering the position he played was historically manned by power hitters, Hernandez was still no bum at the plate hitting .297/.387/.429 for the Mets. Keith is another guy who Mets fans simply love. From his playing days on the field to his broadcasting career in the booth, we’d like to see that number 17 up there in the very near future. 17 has been out of transition and has not been assigned to a player since 2010.
Carlos Beltran – 15
This one may be seen as a bit controversial but I honestly can’t see why. If we’re talking about stats and the importance a player meant to a franchise, then Beltran absolutely deserves the honor. He is arguably the greatest free agent signing in franchise history and put up some of his best seasons wearing the orange & blue. 5 All Star appearances, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers. His career numbers with the Mets include a slash line of .280/.369/.500, 149 home runs, 208 doubles and 551 runs. I have no doubts Beltran will be inducted into the Hall of Fame and, based off his career numbers in New York, you can argue he could go in as a Met. Not saying he will or he should, but the argument is there. And if he does, but the old standards of only retiring the numbers of players who go in as Mets, then Beltran’s number does indeed gets retired. Why is it that his name gets immediately tossed to the side when it comes to a discussion such as this? 2006 NLCS and the infamous Adam Wainwright curveball that caught Beltran looking that ended the Mets’ World Series chance. It’s a travesty that this is the only reason Beltran’s name gets dragged through the mud regarding his time in Queens. One AB, no matter how big the situation was, should not dictate a man’s career with one team. Not to mention that without Beltran, the Mets may not even make it that far in the postseason. Carlos Beltran is easily one of the best ever to put on a Mets uniform. So does he deserve it? I think so. Will it happen? Only time will tell.
David Wright – 5
I’m pretty sure I don’t have to say much about this decision. Aside from Seaver and Piazza, David Wright can be considered an all-time face of the New York Mets franchise. Tops in just about all offensive categories in franchise history, a lovable personality, leadership that most franchises could only wish some of their players possessed. He was named the fourth Mets captain in team history in 2013. It would be totally understandable if the Mets never named another captain because I don’t know how anyone can follow up Wright’s tenure with the proverbial “C” on their jersey. A career struck short due to lagging injuries, Wright is one of the greatest “what ifs” in regards to a potential Hall of Fame career. Cooperstown or not, David Wright’s number 5 will be retired. No doubt about that.
The Mets only have two player numbers retired in Seaver and Piazza; Casey Stengel’s 38 and Gil Hodges’ 14 were retired due to their managerial careers with the Mets and Jackie Robinson’s 42 is universally retired throughout professional baseball. As a Mets fan, I want to see more numbers hanging up there. Take a look at Monument Park at Yankee Stadium and see all those numbers out of transition. Many of them may not be in the Hall of Fame, but the impact those guys had on their respective teams as well as the fans is the real reason their numbers are retired. That is how I feel with these four. 8, 17, 15 and 5 may, hopefully one day very soon, be up there next to 41, 31 and 36 as former Met greats to ever put on that orange & blue.
