Willie Mays Serious Only?

Willie Mays only played with the mets for a few years and it was at the end of his career. His number is only retired by the giants not the mets. The only players that have had their numbers retired on the mets are tom seaver 41, Gil Hodges 14, Casey Stengel 37, and Jackie Robinson 42.

The Mets will probably retire the numbers of Mike Piazza, John Franco, and maybe Gary Carter.

The Mets never officially retired Willie's #24; and Rickey Henderson is the only player to wear it since Willie retired in 1973.

The only retired numbers for the Mets (aside from Jackie Robinson's universally retired #42):

41 Tom Seaver

14 Gil Hodges

37 Casey Stengel

The Mets announcers were talking about this last night on SNY. They mentioned that Rickey always had to have #24. In the early 90s as a Blue Jay, he paid Turner Ward 25K to have it. Later on in the discussion they got to his time with the Mets and said he gave Willie a call and asked permission to wear the 24.

No. The Giants retired #24 in honor of Mays, but not the Mets. He played there less than two seasons.

No. The Giants retired #24 in honor of Mays, but not the Mets. He played there less than two seasons.

This link contains all the retired #'s for all MLB teams...and while Willie's # 24 was retired by the SF Giants...it wasn't retired by the Mets.

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/fishbert/rnumbers.html

I believe that they asked Willie for permission for him to wear it, and he approved.