“Mets fans are loyal. Mets fans are passionate. Mets fans are loud.”
Willie Mays, a living legend in this game and otherwise, included this very accurate note within his prepared address (relayed by Old Timers’ Day master of ceremonies Howie Rose) during Mays’ surprise number retirement at the close of player introductions on Saturday.
In retiring Mays’ no.24, the Mets fulfilled a promise that team co-founder and original Mets owner Joan Whitney Payson—a student of the game herself and admitted Mays super-fan—made to her favorite player upon his twilight return to the city in which his storied career began. Just a beautiful culmination of a piece of Mets history.
Also one striking enough to elicit the type of emotion usually reserved for celebrating championships, as evidenced by the gentleman above that SNY’s cameras caught letting it all hang out during the Mays announcement. That’s what it’s all about, friends.
Throughout player intros, as each player emerged from those dugouts, the endless stream of roars and smiles and tears and more smiles from the Citi Field faithful were just… perfect.
As nice and nostalgic as it must have been for those Mets legends to suit up and bang around with the boys again, what transpired on Saturday was about, and ultimately for, the fans.
As Willie said in his statement, this is a loud, passionate, loyal fan base. Today was this organization’s gift to us. And it’s safe to say we were all collectively blown away by their generosity.
It had been well past high time for this to happen again (1994?). And the team pulled no punches in making sure they made the long-awaited experience a memorable one.
Actually, this seems to be a theme, lately. The perks of having a rabid fan as team owner, I suppose… No, we’re not going to kick dirt on the previous ownership group, even though we’re well within our rights to do so and wouldn’t be wrong.
But a page has been turned and *checks standings and vibes* things haven’t been so good for the Metropolitan family in a very long time. Can’t and won’t sully that. Not today.
Thank you, Mets. That was truly Terrific. Now let’s go grab another W.
Never any paywalls. Once it leaves my head, it’s yours. Of course, if you want to help keep the lights on, it’s greatly appreciated.
Become a paid subscriber below, or if you enjoyed the story, drop a buck or two in our Venmo account (@TheAppleNYM)