Mets to retire Keith Hernandez's no. 17 in 2022
The Mets will hold a pre-game ceremony to retire Hernandez's number on July 9
The Mets announced on Tuesday night they will retire Keith Hernandez’s no. 17 before their game against the Marlins on July 9, 2022 at Citi Field.
“I’m thrilled,” Hernandez said in a statement. “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.”
Hernandez joins Tom Seaver (#41 in 1988), Mike Piazza (#31 in 2016) and Jerry Koosman (#36 in 2021) as the only players to have their numbers retired by the Mets to-date. The Mets retired Gil Hodges’ no. 14 in 1973, and Casey Stengel’s no. 37 in 1965.
“Keith was the first captain in team history and a great leader and catalyst on that ’86 championship team,” Chairman, CEO and 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.”
In seven years with the Mets between 1983-1989, Hernandez hit .297/.387/.429. He was an All-Star in 1984, 1986 and 1987, won six gold gloves at first base with the Mets 1983-1988 (11 straight overall from 1978-1988) while leading the National League in fielding percentage in 1985 and 1986.
He ranks fourth in club history in on-base percentage (.387) and 10th in RBI (468). In May, 1987, Mets manager Davey Johnson named Hernandez along with Gary Carter as the first captains in club history.
Hernandez was acquired by the Mets on June 15, 1983 from the Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey. He has served as a broadcaster for the club since 1999 including the last 16 seasons with SNY.