Keith Hernandez emotional as his No. 17 retired by Mets
Mets announcer and former player Keith Hernandez speaks during a pre-game ceremony to retire his No. 17 before a baseball game between the Mets and Miami Marlins on Saturday at Citi Field. Credit: AP/John Minchillo
Keith Hernandez always had a way of making things look easy.
Whether it was his defense at first base, getting a timely hit or his transition into an Emmy-winning broadcaster, Hernandez always appeared in control.
But Saturday was different. Hernandez wouldn’t be putting on a performance with his bat, glove or microphone. He stood on the Citi Field infield behind a podium surrounded by family, friends and former teammates as he became the fourth player and sixth member of the organization to have his number — 17 — retired by the Mets.
You could clearly see his emotions throughout the afternoon. It wasn’t easy for him.
“I am absolutely humbled and proud that my number will be up in the rafters for eternity along with Casey, Gil, Tom, Mike and Jerry,” said Hernandez, fighting tears throughout a pre-ceremony video and his speech. “Sixty years of New York baseball.”
Hernandez joins Mike Piazza (31), Jerry Koosman (36) and Tom Seaver (41) as players to have a number retired by the Mets. Former managers Gil Hodges (14) and Casey Stengel (37) also have their numbers retired by the team, along with Jackie Robinson’s 42, which is retired across baseball.
“It’s the biggest honor that could be bestowed upon a player by an organization,” Hernandez said. “And I’ve been here almost 40 years.”
Hernandez threw out the ceremonial first pitch from first base to his brother Gary, who was wearing the first base mitt Hernandez used during the 1986 run to the World Series.
Hernandez said he was touched by seeing No. 17 jerseys during his drive to Citi Field. The Mets had No. 17s throughout the stadium, including on the home run apple, in the centerfield grass and on a jersey patch Mets players wore.
The Mets traded Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey for Hernandez on June 15, 1983. For Mets fans, that was a glorious day. For Hernandez? Not so much.
“I’ve learned and read it was a joyous day in Met nation,” Hernandez said to a sellout crowd at Citi Field.
“Little ol’ me in St. Louis wasn’t too happy,” he said, laughing. “What did I know?”
He spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals but now was going from the 1982 World Series champions to a team struggling to remain relevant. The Mets had seven straight losing seasons from 1977-83, but things quickly shifted for the Mets, thanks in large part to Hernandez’s leadership and a core of young talent.
But in hindsight, Hernandez thinks the move was exactly what he needed. He said he was becoming “listless.”
“I needed another goal,” Hernandez said, “and I came here and these young guys inspired me and rejuvenated my career.”
The Mets won 90 games in 1984 and 98 games in 1985 before a 108-54 season in 1986 en route to their first World Series title since 1969.
“It was probably one of the most fun years of my life,” Hernandez said. “When you win 108 games, that’s a lot of fun.”
He spent parts of seven seasons (1983-1989) with the Mets and the team averaged 95.8 wins per year during his six full seasons. He has the second-best batting average in team history (.297) and ranks fourth in on-base percentage and 10th in RBIs. He won 11 straight Gold Gloves, six with the Mets.
He was elected the team’s first captain in 1987 and has been a part of the Mets’ TV booth since 1999.
“This is just a great moment for me,” Hernandez said. “I never dreamed I’d be this long in the organization.”
And now a part of him will be there forever.
