Willie Mays

Mays spent his final two MLB seasons with the Mets, making the All-Star team as a 42-year-old in 1973.

(To be fair to Payson, she died just a couple years afterward.) The Mets did resist handing out the number for close to two decades following his retirement, however, before awarding it to Kelvin Torve in 1990. As it so happened, Mays' connection to those New York Giants later paved the way for him to finish his career as a member of the Mets. The Mets were understood to have sweetened his decision. Mays is best known, of course, for his time as a member of the Giants organization. The Mets tweeted out the following video to accompany the news: [New York Mets](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/NYM/new-york-mets/) announced on Saturday that they have retired the No.

Though Mays is more widely remembered for his 21-year career with the New York/San Francisco Giants, he played for the Mets during his final two ...

Mets fans are passionate. Mets fans are loud.” Mets fans are loyal. "One of the most amazing moments I’ve witnessed in person. "Since the #SFGiants moved west in 1958, Willie Mays always had New York in his heart. Brought to tears," another added.

The New York Mets pulled off a surprise jersey retirement during their old timers' day ceremony prior to Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies.

Mays led the Giants to a victory over Cleveland in the 1954 World Series. 24 for the Mets when he debuted for the team in 1990 but switched to No. Mays retired after the 1973 season. The San Francisco Giants also retired his No. "Willie, you’ll be the last Met to ever wear No. 24 jersey retired by the club.

The Mets did more than retire a famous baseball number Saturday afternoon, stunning a nostalgia-nourished crowd at Citi Field when it was revealed that ...

The Mets were only in the World Series because Mays drove in a key run in decisive Game 5 of the NLCS. Past ownership was unabashed about the team’s ties to the Dodgers, but the Mets’ colors are orange in addition to blue. Yes, Mays lost a ball in the sun in Game 2 of the 1973 World Series. Mays’ two-out single in the 12th inning broke a 6-6 tie in a game the Mets would win 10-7. Famously, he hit a home run in his very first game as a Met — against the Giants, of all teams, on May 14, 1972. The Mets did more than retire a famous baseball number Saturday afternoon, stunning a nostalgia-nourished crowd at Citi Field when it was revealed that Willie Mays’ No.

In a surprise to the fans, the New York Mets announced they were retiring the number 24 in honor of baseball legend Willie Mays, who played two years with ...

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. "I can never forget the way it felt to return to New York to play for all the loyal Mets fans. The Mets lost to the Oakland Athletics in seven games. It’s an honor to have my number retired in my two favorite cities – New York and San Francisco. New York was a magical place to play baseball." I’m tremendously proud I ended my career in Queens with the Mets during the ’73 World Series.

In a surprise move at the conclusion of their Old Timer's Day, the New York Mets retired Willie Mays' No. 24. Mays played with the team from 1972 to 1973.

Payton was instrumental in bringing Mays back to The Big Apple, where he started his He made the atmosphere in the clubhouse conducive to winning,” Jones said. Mays was unable to attend the ceremony due to a hip replacement.

A half century after his final game with the New York Mets, Willie Mays had his number retired Saturday during the team's Old Timers' Day celebration.

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The return of Old-Timers' Day, and the retirement of No. 24 for Willie Mays, were two more instances of Steven Cohen leaning in on his team's history.

“There has been a 50-year gap, if you will, between a promise made and a promise kept,” said Sandy Alderson, the president of the Mets. A superstar outfielder for the Giants, both in New York and San Francisco, Mays only spent the 1972 and 1973 seasons with the Mets before retiring. There is no question that Cohen has gone all in on nostalgia — in addition to spending — since completing his purchase of the team. “I don’t like the Wilpons.” “It’s just, who makes the suggestion that you have something like this, you know? It always starts at the top.” “I love the New York Mets,” he said. Stories like this are possible because of our deep commitment to original reporting, produced by a global staff of over 1,700 journalists who have all dedicated themselves to helping you understand the world. “If your team doesn’t have a connection to its legacy, what are ya?” Swoboda asked. “I’m happy for the organization. The day welcomed Mets greats from every generation to Citi Field and featured a three-inning exhibition with franchise icons like Dwight Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Darryl Strawberry, Pedro Martinez and Ed Kranepool. It put a tidy bow on the club’s first Old-Timers’ Day since 1994.

In a surprise salute at Citi Field, the Mets have retired Willie Mays' No. 24 as part of festivities for the organization's first Old-Timers' Day since ...

He famously returned to the dugout with a disguise after getting ejected from a game in 1999. He hopes the event is here to stay. He returned to the Big Apple in a May 1972 trade and spent his final two seasons with the Mets, helping them reach the 1973 World Series. The unexpected announcement followed a video tribute to Mays after Old-Timers’ Day introductions. The honor for Mays capped a 40-minute ceremony that tied together players from throughout the Mets’ 60-year history. Mets charter owner Joan Whitney Payson told Mays he would be the last player in franchise history to wear No.

In a surprise salute at Citi Field, the Mets have retired Willie Mays' No. 24 as part of festivities for the organization's first Old-Timers' Day since ...

He famously returned to the dugout with a disguise after getting ejected from a game in 1999. He hopes the event is here to stay. The unexpected announcement followed a video tribute to Mays after Old-Timers' Day introductions. He returned to the Big Apple in a May 1972 trade and spent his final two seasons with the Mets, helping them reach the 1973 World Series. The honor for Mays capped a 40-minute ceremony that tied together players from throughout the Mets' 60-year history. Mets charter owner Joan Whitney Payson told Mays he would be the last player in franchise history to wear No.

In a surprising turn of events on Old Timers Day, the Mets made the announcement that they have retired Hall of Fame centerfielder Willie Mays' No. 24.

- Robinson Cano was the last Met to wear No. By retiring Mays' number, the Mets are fulfilling former owner Joan Payson's wishes.

In a surprise salute at Citi Field, the Mets retired Mays' jersey Saturday as part of festivities during the organization's first Old-Timers' Day since 1994. “ ...

He famously returned to the dugout with a disguise after getting ejected from a game in 1999. He hopes the event is here to stay. The unexpected announcement followed a video tribute to Mays after Old-Timers' Day introductions. He returned to the Big Apple in a May 1972 trade and spent his final two seasons with the Mets, helping them reach the 1973 World Series. The honor for Mays capped a 40-minute ceremony that tied together players from throughout the Mets' 60-year history. Mets charter owner Joan Whitney Payson told Mays he would be the last player in franchise history to wear No.