The New York Mets announced their plan to retire Keith Hernandez’ No. 17 this summer.
The celebration is scheduled for July 9 at Citi Field.
“I don’t think ‘bewilderment’ is the right term, but I do feel like I’m lost in space that it happened to me,” said Hernandez. “An honor like this is something that I never dreamed of. You dream of being on a world championship team. You dream of being a batting champion or an MVP. The thought of having a number retired, I can tell you, never crossed my mind.”
Hernandez played seven seasons for the Mets (1983-1989), compiling a .297 batting average. During his Mets tenure, Hernandez won five Gold Glove Awards and was selected to three National League All Star teams.
Hernandez, who now serves as an analyst for SNY, was a member of the 1986 World Series Championship team and the 1988 National League Eastern Division champs. Hernandez was selected team captain in 1987 by then Mets manager Davey Johnson, a first in franchise history.
Keith Hernandez is a member of the MetsRewind Hall of Fame. He received 86.2% of the vote, the most on anyone on the Fall 2019 ballot.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: KEITH HERNANDEZ
SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSE: KEITH HERNANDEZ
Keith Hernandez should have his number retired for this play alone. I’ve never seen any other first baseman even attempt a play like this.pic.twitter.com/dktgLTnFyN
— Elizabeth Muratore (@nymfan97) January 12, 2022
Mets are finally embracing their rich history https://t.co/6s2ni223z7 pic.twitter.com/VCNIcc6LLn
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) January 13, 2022
As promised. Fun with Keith. Some great stories, too. https://t.co/hZOBX3lLVS
— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) January 13, 2022
Keith Hernandez discusses his Hall of Fame case with @WayneRandazzo and why sabermetrics may help his case: https://t.co/4OntUjvFj5 pic.twitter.com/HEKyTgNgkd
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 13, 2022
The @Mets will retire @keithhernandez #17 this season. Why did Keith pick it when he came to the @Mets? @WayneRandazzo & @HowieRose asked him and it has a real NY Baseball connection! https://t.co/hYdg3Z8umv pic.twitter.com/St6ivwpleD
— WCBS Newsradio 880 (@wcbs880) January 13, 2022
I wanted to honor a man who had a tremendous influence on me and my career. Thank you @keithhernandez for everything. I hope you know how much you mean to so many. #17 pic.twitter.com/hmc8j56nFS
— David Cone (@dcone36) January 12, 2022
WRITTEN ESSAYS: KEITH HERNANDEZ
MIKE VACCARO
New York Post
Hernandez’s 17 will join 14, 31, 36, 37 and 41. Surely David Wright’s No. 5 won’t be far behind. The Seaver statue is coming. Old-Timers’ Day is back. The Mets turn 60 years on April 11. The New Breed is now the old guard.
MATTHEW ROBERSON
New York Daily News
At long last, it’s finally happened. As the Mets celebrate their 60th anniversary during the 2022 season, they’ll have Keith Hernandez’s jersey on display next to the other pillars of the franchise, right where it should have been years ago.
RYAN MORIK
SNY.TV
In July, he will have his number 17 retired by the Mets after having been in their Hall of Fame since 1997. He was also named to the St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall of Fame last year. But there is one thing missing – a plaque in Cooperstown.
TYLER KEPNER
New York Times
The Mets and their owner, Steven Cohen, did not wait for a committee to validate Hernandez’s legacy. They understand — finally — that they are stewards of their past, and Hernandez is vital to their story.
ANTHONY DICOMO
Mets.com
Few baseball players have managed not only to maintain their popularity over the decades, but to grow it the way Keith Hernandez has. Multiple generations have come to adore him in his prime to the millions who knew him first as a broadcaster.
TIM BRITTON
The Atlantic
The June 1983 day Keith Hernandez walked into the Mets clubhouse for the first time, he greeted none other than The Franchise.
PHOTO ESSAY: KEITH HERNANDEZ
