The New York Mets announced that Old Timers’ Day will return in 2022. Fans will be able to watch some of the organization’s legends before the game against the Colorado Rockies on August 27.
For those who don’t remember (the Mets haven’t had one since 1994), Old Timers’ Day is a tradition in Major League Baseball uses some hours preceding a weekend game to honor and remember some of its biggest players of the past. Lots of icons are invited and often play a short exhibition game.
“Bringing back Old Timers’ Day was one of the most passionate requests I heard from our fans,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said in a statement. “As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary season, having these legendary players return to the ballpark to hear cheers from Mets fans once again is the perfect way to honor our past.”
Per the Mets, about 40 legends are expected to go to Old Timers’ Day, including Frank Thomas, Ron Swoboda, Jon Matlack, Felix Millán, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Bobby Ojeda, Robin Ventura, Turk Wendell, Endy Chávez, Cliff Floyd, and Daniel Murphy.
Players of all ages and eras will attend
More former players could join in the upcoming months.
Thomas told the Mets’ official MLB site that he expects to take “some BP before the game. I hit homers at the Polo Grounds and at Shea. I would love to hit one at Citi Field,” the 92-year-old said.
Murphy is the one who wore the Mets uniform more recently. He was key on New York’s 2015 World Series run.
“It will be great to put on a Mets uniform again,” Murphy said. “I’m sure when I hit the field my mind will be racing back to 2015. That was an incredibly special time.”
Ventura will also be present. “Maybe we can recreate my Grand Slam Single,” he laughed. “Fans remember that hit (Game Five of the 1999 NLCS vs. Atlanta) more than if I had actually been credited with a grand slam.”