On Tuesday, the New York Mets announced their plans to retire Keith Hernandez’s No. 17 this season.
On Wednesday in a Zoom call with the media, Hernandez made a little bit of news on his own. Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale:
Keith Hernandez, who will have his number retired by the #Mets, says after the recent Hall of Fame election of Jim Kaat he believes that Tommy John and Dick Allen will now follow. Hernandez still hopes one day he’ll also be in the HOF.
Last month, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso and Tony Oliva were elected by the Golden Days Era Committee, “which considered a 10-person ballot comprised of candidates whose primary contribution to the game came from 1950-69.”
Based on the numbers, Hernandez’s Kaat-John comparison holds up.
Kaat won 283 games over 25 MLB seasons with the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals. He was a three-time 20-game winner and three-time All-Star.
John won 288 games over 26 MLB seasons with the Cleveland Indians, White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Yankees, California Angels and Oakland A’s. He also was a three-time 20-game winner, as well as a four-time All-Star.
And let’s not forget John’s biggest contribution to the game: the ground-breaking elbow surgery to replace his ulnar collateral ligament, aka “Tommy John surgery,” to extend his career.
Oh, and one more nugget from Hernandez, per the New York Post’s Mike Puma:
Keith Hernandez let slip that the Mets are planning an Old Timers Day this season. Sandy Alderson confirms it’s “on the agenda.”
Here are details on the Mets’ plans for Hernandez:
FLUSHING, N.Y., January 11, 2022 – The New York Mets today announced the team will retire Keith Hernandez’s uniform #17 prior to the Saturday, July 9 game vs. Miami.
Hernandez was elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 1997, ranks second in team history in batting average (.297) and earned six Rawlings Gold Gloves with the Mets, the most in franchise history.
Hernandez will become the fourth player to have his number retired by the Mets, joining Tom Seaver (#41), Mike Piazza (#31) and Jerry Koosman (#36). In addition, the Mets have retired #14 for Manager Gil Hodges, #37 for Manager Casey Stengel and #42 across baseball for Jackie Robinson.
“I’m thrilled,” said Hernandez, who has spent nearly three decades with the Mets as a player and broadcaster. “This is truly a special honor that lasts beyond a lifetime. I can’t thank Steve and Alex Cohen and the Mets Hall of Fame Committee enough. I was very emotional when Steve called to let me know about the number retirement. 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.”
“Keith was the first captain in team history and a great leader and catalyst on that ‘86 championship team,” said Chairman, CEO and Owner Steve Cohen. “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.”
Hernandez led the NL in fielding percentage in 1985 and 1986 with the Mets, won 11 Gold Gloves overall and is a member of the Rawlings Gold Glove Hall of Fame.
Hernandez was named to five All-Star teams during his career and ranks fourth in club history in on-base percentage (.387) and 10th in RBI (468). On May 6, 1987, his teammates elected him the first captain in Mets history.
The Bay Area native slashed .310/.446/.413 with 34 doubles, 13 homers, 83 RBI and an NL-leading 94 walks in 1986. He delivered three RBI in Game Seven of the 1986 World Series.
Hernandez was acquired by the Mets on June 15, 1983 from St. Louis in exchange for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey.
He has been in the Mets television booth since 1999, including the last 16 years on SNY, where he’s won three Emmys for “Best Sports Analyst.”
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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