I have a quick riddle for you.
What do Fernando Tatis, David Newhan and Wilson Delgado all have in common ? The answer is plain and simple, They are all players that were issued the number 17, but were undeserving of the privilege !
You see I am in the camp that the number 17 is synonymous with the Stache, and should be retired in his honor. Before you argue with me and say that this should be a exclusive club for iconic Mets like Tom Seaver ( the only Mets player to have the honor) let me draw some parallels between ” The Franchise” and the man affectionately called “Mex”
Both men are seen as saviours by Mets fans. The acquisition of both men , Seaver via lottery, Hernandez by trade, signaled a turning point in what were losing times in Mets infamy. Yes in ’67 this Mets franchise were still deemed ” lovable losers” and had the support of a rabid fan base. But by ’83, this team was in ruins after a six year of darkness. Once then G.M. Frank Cashen traded our closer, Neil Allen along with mediocre at best starter, Rick Ownby, you felt that this team had obtained a player that could help propel this team to the playoffs. Keith Hernandez was a game changer, He hit extremely well in the clutch- leading the league in Game Winning R.B.I’s from ’84-’86, He was the unofficial field general, he was our captain , and the fact that his number 17 is still in circulation in my opinion is unfathomable ! So no offense to the Brent Mayne or the Jose Lima’s of the world, but you were not fit to wear the number 17 ! CAN WE PLEASE HAVE IT RETIRED WITHIN TH NEXT 2 SEASONS !?!
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                                                                            ” Retire number 17 !!!”
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Celebrating Birthdays today are :
Back up shortstop from the ’73 season,Brian Ostrosser is 61 (1949) .
Former hitting coach from ’99 and one time Mets minor league manager,Mickey Brantley is 49 (1961) .
New York Mets traded the legendary ( at least in my mind) pitcher, Kevin Kobel to the Kansas City Royals for minor league pitcher, Randy McGilberry on June 17, 1980.
New York Mets traded the reliever with the rubber arm – Dave Weathers along with spot starter, Jeremy Griffiths to the Houston Astros for washed up outfielder,Richard Hidalgo on June 17, 2004.
Mo Vaughn taped his own version of “Bizarre Foods” last night. On the menu – The Cleveland Midge !!
                                                                               
                                                                         ” Mo Vaughn Loves Midges !!”
14 comments
metsfan4decades
6/17/2010-7:22am at 7:22 am (UTC -4)
As many of you know, I’ve been a Met fan for a very long time. And while there have been many Met players who, talent wise are considered better…my favorite NY Met of all time is Keith.
As Rusty said, along with a few other pieces heading towards the mid 80s, he brought talent and a legitimacy to this team not seen since the early 70s. He was all about winning, playing good fundamental baseball and was a leader on that team. Yes, I know he hated being traded to the Mets – he even contemplated early retirement when he was traded. But once here, he gave it every ounce of effort he had and it showed. You always had a good feeling when he came up to the plate.
Where would that ’86 team have been without him?
I say retire that number now.
rustyjr
6/17/2010-7:28am at 7:28 am (UTC -4)
I mean that would be the ultimate goodwill gesture the mets can make to the fans
ceetar
6/17/2010-8:53am at 8:53 am (UTC -4)
I don’t get worked up about it, but he certainly deserves it. Especially given that he’s _still_ contributing to the organization, which should put him over the top in terms of recognition.
But we’re going to get a lot of this stuff in the next couple of years. Beyond this we’ll have new inductees into the Mets Hall of Fame. Piazza in the big Hall of Fame. I’m sure the Mets will have a special celebration for him here too. All this leading into an All-Star game.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
Piazza and Franco should both have their numbers retired…
ceetar
6/17/2010-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
both 31, or give Franco 45?
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
I think you ask Franco and let him decide…but both are 100% deserved of getting their number retired…much more than Keith…
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
How are they more than Keith?
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
Retiring several numbers, maybe 1-2 a year and kicking off a “met’s hall of fame night” or something along those lines would be proper, for the fans and I’m sure the owners, who will see butts in the seats for those nights. Would make the Mets seem like a team with some class, in my mind. Show some history! they’ve come around this year with un-brooklyn-izing Citi field. This would be another step in the right direction.
ceetar
6/17/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Hall of Fame night (day) is August 1st. I’ve got tickets.
rustyjr
6/17/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
As do I
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
Now that’s what I call Action! I mention and they say “waaaaaaay ahead of you”.
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
I do kind of chuckle how the trophy looks like a halo behind Mex.
fongy2
6/17/2010-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
As with MF4D, I’ve been on this band-
wagon a long time. 37 yrs now, seen
alot, experienced alot. Mex not only
was a great player BUT changed the entire culture of this organization.
Mind you before the ’84 thru ’90 run,
the greatest in team history, this
organization was no where. We were
what The KC Royals have been the past
10-15 yrs…..Lost in the woods!
Mex got here, was a very unhappy camper BUT never took that out onto the field OR displayed it in the clubhouse. By Feb.’84 in his 1st ST
he looked around and could see that there were ALOT of young guys here
and a Mgmt group which both had alot
of talent and with a move or two this
could be a real good team for a long time. Rusty is absolutely correct in the thought that outside of Seaver
there has never been a more important
player to wear a Met uniform.
Also, while I understand the history behind it, Strengel’s number is retired for God’s sake. Can anybody compare the importance and excellance
brought to this team by Strengel as
opposed to Mex???
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
I agree about Keith’s number Rusty, and having been watching this team regularly since 1974 I will keep it short (for me) and say that MF4D & Fongy have pretty much summed up my thoughts on the matter.
The only thing I would add is although Keith never hit 40 doubles, 20 homers, drove in 100 runs or hit .320 with the Mets, he has done so much for this organization offensively and defensively and off the field as well, and he was such a galvanizing figure in arguably the greatest stretch in franchise history, he deserves the honor.