The New York Mets will retire Keith Hernandez’s No. 17 during a ceremony before a July game against the Miami Marlins.
“I’m thrilled,” Hernandez said in an announcement. “This is truly a special honor that lasts beyond a lifetime. …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 will be the fourth Mets player to have his number retired, joining Tom Seaver (No. 41), Mike Piazza (No. 31) and Jerry Koosman (No. 36). The Mets have also retired No. 14 for Manager Gil Hodges, No. 37 for Manager Casey Stengel and No. 42 for Jackie Robinson.
Hernandez, elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 1997, is second in team history in batting average (.297) and earned six Rawlings Gold Gloves with the Mets, the most in franchise history. He led the NL in fielding percentage in 1985 and 1986 with the Mets, won 11 Gold Gloves and is a member of the Rawlings Gold Glove Hall of Fame.
“Keith was the first captain in team history and a great leader and catalyst on that ’86 championship team,” Mets Chairman, CEO and Owner Steve Cohen said in an announcement. “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.”