Darryl Strawberry to attend Mets Old-Timers' Day

The Mets announced on Thursday morning that Darryl Strawberry will attend Old-Timers’ Day on Aug. 27 at Citi Field.

It will be the first time in 32 years that Strawberry will step onto a field wearing a Mets uniform, according to the team.

“Shea was always a wonderful place for me,” Strawberry said in a statement. “The fans were always great. They supported me in the good and bad times.”

Strawberry, 60, will also reunite with some of his teammates from the 1986 world championship team.

“Sorry to say, I don’t think I will be able to play,” the rightfielder said. “My knees and shoulder won’t let me swing a bat anymore. It’s the wear and tear and the years catching up with me. I will be there supporting the guys who will be on the field.”

Strawberry was selected by the Mets with the first overall pick in the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent eight seasons with the Mets and was a seven-time All-Star. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1983. He remains the Mets’ all-time leader in home runs with 252. He also had 1,025 hits and 733 RBIs and batted .263 during his eight seasons with the Mets.

Strawberry will join more than 60 former Mets who are scheduled to attend at Old-Timers’ Day including Mike Piazza, Johan Santana, Pedro Martínez, Tim Teufel, Josh Thole, John Franco, Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, Al Leiter, Ed Kranepool, Frank Thomas, Ron Swoboda, Jon Matlack, Félix Millán, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Bobby Ojeda, Robin Ventura, Turk Wendell, Endy Chávez, Cliff Floyd, Billy Wagner and Daniel Murphy.

The Mets announced in February that Old-Timers' Day would return for the first time since 1994. The announcement marked the fulfillment of a promise from owner Steve Cohen.

Prior to the scheduled 7:10 p.m. game against the Rockies on Aug. 27, player introductions will begin at 5 p.m. Gates will open at 4:10 p.m.