Four days of celebrating the 1969 world champion Mets
The 1969 Mets pose for a team photo. Credit: AP
The Mets will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1969 world champions with four days of events and three days of giveaways to the fans.
On Thursday, June 27 at 11 a.m., the team will officially change the address of Citi FIeld to 41 Seaver Way in honor of their Hall of Fame pitcher. New street signs bearing Seaver’s name will replace 126th Street in front of the ballpark. The team is also expected to announce plans for a Seaver statue. Seaver, who has retired from public life because of dementia, will not be in attendance that day or during the weekend. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, three members of the 1969 team —Jerry Koosman, Cleon Jones, Ron Swoboda — and Seaver's children and grandchildren are expected to attend Thursday's event, which is open to the public.
On Friday, June 28, all those in attendance will receive a 1969 replica jersey. On Saturday, June 29, when the players will be honored before the 4 p.m. game against the Braves, the first 15,000 fans will be given a commemorative pennant. Before the game, the Mets also will reenact the 1969 World Series parade on Seaver Way by having players from the team ride in vintage Ford convertibles.
On Sunday, June 30, the first 15,000 will receive a replica World Series ring. Art Shamsky will sign copies of his book "After the Miracle: The Lasting Brotherhood of the '69 Mets" before the game in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.
Players scheduled to attend are Jack DiLauro, Duffy Dyer, Rod Gaspar, Jerry Grote, Bud Harrelson, Jones, Koosman, Ed Kranepool, J.C, Martin, Jim McAndrew, Bobby Pfeil, Shamsky, Swoboda and Ron Taylor.
In addition to Seaver, those not expected include Ken Boswell, Gary Gentry, Al Weis, coach Joe Pignatano and, barring a last-minute change in plans, Nolan Ryan.
The Mets will pay tribute to the late members of the team: Manager Gil Hodges, coaches Yogi Berra, Rube Walker and Eddie Yost; pitchers Tug McGraw, Cal Koonce and Don Cardwell,, centerfielder Tommie Agee and third baseman Ed Charles.
A 1969 Mets replica ring sold by Billy Corbett from Brookhaven, a vendor at the Bellport Antique and Collectble Market in Bellport on Saturday, April 20, 2019. He is one of the vendors that sells, buys and collects sports memorabilia and autographed items. Credit: Randee Daddona
