[DiComo] Breaking news: the Mets have retired Willie Mays’ No. 24. Mays played for the Mets from 1972-73. They are fulfilling late owner Joan Payson’s wish to retire it. No Mets player will wear No. 24 again.
Breaking news: the Mets have retired Willie Mays' No. 24.
Mays played for the Mets from 1972-73. They are fulfilling late owner Joan Payson's wish to retire it. No Mets player will wear No. 24 again.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 27, 2022
36 comments
Man, Cano just can’t catch a break this year.
Amazing!
About fucking time. Eat shit and die Cano.
This got me. Well done Mets.
Wasn’t expecting a surprise number retirement today. Pretty epic!
Nobody should have any problem with this. Willie Mays is a New York legend.
It’s fine. It was only worn in very specific or very accidental circumstances since he retired anyway.
If it’s been a while, gaze upon [the majesty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayswi01.shtml).
Wow. My grandmother grew up a giants fan and then adopted the Mets. Willie was my father’s favorite. I’m a hot weepy mess.
Nicely done Mets!
Long overdue. For those who don’t know, Mays was publicly rather unhappy with the Mets when they gave his number to Rickey Henderson (he didn’t criticize Rickey, but he was unhappy with the team). Somehow it took another 23 years and new ownership to get it done.
Just really disrespectful to the guy who is more worthy than just about anyone else of the team’s respect.
This is amazing. Had to be done.
To me, we are the successor to the NY Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. The fans in California can’t (nor should they) get what these players meant to this city and area.
Why not make a separate day of this? Seems forced
So happy they’re doing right by him — finally.
This is incredible. If you haven’t read his book, I recommend it. You can tell he and Joan Payson had a great relationship, and he really loved New York/the Mets.
I always associated 24 with Mets legend Kelvin Torve.
Willie Mays impact on NYC and Harlem at the time from 51-57 is really lost on most modern fans, he was really a part of the community at the time from stickball games in the streets to even owning a liquor store in East New York Brooklyn, if you get the chance look at the reception he got back in the Polo Grounds when he came back from Korea in 54. It’s a well deserved honor for an impact that was forgotten by the fact the Giants left in 58.
Mays deserves it. He may have only spent part of his decline with us but he’s an important NY baseball icon and in that spiritual succession we fall under to Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Giants, no one else would be more appropriate.
Wow wasn’t expecting this but happy bout it
Red Sox fan here , can someone explain the historical context/significance of Mays and his two years with the Mets? Obviously it was a homecoming of sorts , but what made those 2 years so special that his number gets retired ?
I cant knock Willie Mays number being retired ! The Team colors pay homage to the NY Giants & Dodgers, its respect to the Mets roots as a franchise
Unpopular opinion: Mays was an immortal player, but not for the Mets. Shouldn’t have had his number retired.
I know Willie Mays played for the Mets, I’ve known this for almost 40 years. But every time someone says “Willie Mays played for the Mets” I immediately say “Willie Mays played for the Mets?”
I also picture Wesley Snipes in a Mets uniform.
They should also retire Willie Mays Hayes number of 00
Would it be weird to get a custom 24 jersey for Willie? I’ve been going back and forth on who to get a jersey of for a while and a Mets Willie Mays would be unique at the very least.
Mays is one of the 5 greatest players in the history of the sport. Nobody, on any team, should ever wear his number.
Hojo wearing a Gopro
Why didn’t Mrs Payson ever retire it herself? She lived a few years after Mays retired. Could have done it in 74 or 75. And then Lorinda could have done it for her mom in the years before she sold the team (unless M. Donald Grant wouldn’t let her, who knows).
/now batting for the New York Mets, number 24, Kelvin Torve!
I was in tears. My dad loved Willie, and used to really get fired up when he talked about Doubleday and the Wilpons ignoring Joan Payson’s wish. He didn’t get to see the Cohen Era, but I know he would have loved it.
What if this unfulfilled promise is why it’s never easy for us? Maybe doing this rids us of a curse we didn’t know we had.
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Listening to Cleon Jones talk about Willie Mays in awestruck terms is amazing.
They should consider some sort of “Willie Mays appreciation day” next year.
How did it take this long? Sheesh
Only thing missing from this awesome development is more recognition is needed for Joan Payson. Every Met fan should research into her backstory. A fantastic broad, ahead of her time as an owner and really deserves more recognition in Citi and Mets history. Annual Joan Payson night?
Mays also lost 2 years in the Army . I used to have a Birmingham Barons #8 Mays Jersey. Love Mr Cohen for doing things right. Today was special