17 Forever

Keith Hernandez was already a Mets franchise icon. The 1st baseman, whose 1983 arrival from the Cardinals goes alongside the drafting of Dwight Gooden and Daryl Strawberry and trade for Gary Carter as cornerstones of the club's second championship, will have his number-17 retired by the team on July 9th.

A brilliant fielder, timely hitter and passionate on-field leader for seven seasons renewed his Mets connections as a standout TV analyst for the past 23 years, Hernandez embraced New York -- as the area embraced him back. Whether it was appearing on Seinfeld, dating Carly Simon or making his home on the far end of Long Island, Keith almost makes you forget that he grew up near San Francisco and led St. Louis to its 1982 title.

After wearing 37 with the Cardinals, Hernandez had to switch numbers in New York, as 37 had already been retired for Casey Stengel. Sharing a birthday with Mickey Mantle, Keith had to find another number ending in 7 to honor his boyhood idol. He selected 17, which will be his forever in Flushing.

Now, he'll receive the ultimate franchise honor, which new owner Steve Cohen has decided won't only be limited to players who made the Hall of Fame.
 

Comments

Adam said…
Terrific blog Mike!
January 13, 2022 at 8:52 AM
Steve Nadel said…
Well deserved for Keith!

He should also have a place in Cooperstown. It has been said that Keith did not have the power that other 1st basemen have displayed to make the Hall of Fame.

My return query is how many of those power hitters have had these three things?

*- A 17 season .296 lifetime average?
*- 11 Consecutive Gold Gloves?
*- 2 game 7 Game Winning RBI's?
January 19, 2022 at 10:08 PM
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