Keith Hernandez to Have No. 17 Jersey Retired by Mets on July 9

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The New York Mets will play their first game of the new century on January 12, 2022.

John Lamparski is a photographer.

The New York Mets will honor one of their greatest players in the year 2022.

The team will retire the No. 17 jersey of Keith Hernandez before the game against the Miami Marlins. The fourth player in team history to have his number retired will beHernandez.

Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, and Jerry Koosman are the other players to be honored by the Mets. Gil Hodges andCasey Stengel were both managers in New York.

The second highest batting average in franchise history is held by Hernandez. He was the most decorated player in New York team history with six Gold Glove awards. In 1997 he was named to the team's Hall of Fame.

"This is a special honor that lasts beyond a lifetime, and I am thrilled," he said. The Mets Hall of Fame Committee and Steve and Alex Cohen are very important to me. Steve called to let me know that the number was going to be retired. The highest honor an organization can give a player is this.

In 1983, the Mets acquired the man. He was part of the team that won the 1986 World Series. The first captain in franchise history was voted on by his teammates.

He was an 11-time Gold Glove winner, five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1979.