The New York Mets are honoring Willie Mays by retiring his No. 24 jersey, the franchise said Saturday in a surprise announcement.
Mays began his 23-season career in New York with the Giants and finished with the Mets. He spent the 1972 and 1973 seasons playing for the Mets.
According to Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo, former Mets owner Joan Payson wished to immortalize Mays’ jersey.
Now no more Met will ever wear No. 24 again.
The 91-year-old Mays hit 660 career home runs, won two MVP awards and 12 Gold Gloves.
Mays joins an exclusive club of players whose numbers have been retired by more than one team. That list includes Rod Carew, Casey Stengel, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Rollie Fingers, Reggie Jackson, Greg Maddux, Carlton Fisk, Gil Hodges and Roy Halladay. Nolan Ryan’s number is retired by three organizations and Jackie Robinson’s 42 is universally retired.