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In a surprise move, the New York Mets retired number 24 in honor of Willie Mays on Alumni Day.
Mays began his career with the New York Giants in 1951 and spent 15 seasons with the team while in San Francisco.
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New York Mets outfielder Willie Mays, #24, bats during a Major League Baseball game circa 1973 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Mays played for the Mets from 1972 to 1973.
(Focus on Sports/Getty Images)
However, in 1972, original Mets owner Joan Payson fulfilled her promise to bring the “Say Hey Kid” back to the East Coast, acquiring him in a trade.
Mays spent most of that season, and the entire 1973 season, with the Mets and played in the World Series with them in his final major league season. The Mets lost to the Oakland Athletics in seven games.
Former New York Mets players Willie Mays and Ray Knight walk onto the field after the game against the Florida Marlins to commemorate the last regular season baseball game ever played at Shea Stadium September 28, 2008 in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens borough of New York.
(Al Bello/Getty Images)
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“I want to thank Steve and Alex Cohen for making this day possible and embracing Mets history,” Mays said, via SNY. “I can never forget what it was like to return to New York to play for all of the loyal Mets fans. I am extremely proud to have completed my career in Queens with the Mets in the 1973 World Series. It’s an honor to have my number one retired in my two favorite cities – New York and San Francisco New York was a magical place to play baseball.
Mays is one of the greatest baseball players of all time – he hit 660 home runs, No. 6 all-time, while hitting .301 in his career, racking up 3,293 hits in 23 major league seasons .
The 91-year-old has won two MVPs, 12 Gold Glove Awards and was one of the first six to win the MVP award another 12 times. He was named All-Star 24 times and won the World Series in 1954 with the Giants. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
More than 65 Mets alumni attended the festivities at Citi Field for their first Alumni Day since 1994.
Mays becomes the seventh person to have their number retired by the team, joining Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, Jerry Koosman and Keith Hernandez.
American baseball player Willie Mays (#24) of the New York Mets walks up to home plate during a game (against the Chicago Cubs) at Shea Stadium in the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York, New York, August 5, 1972.
(Walter Leporati/Getty Images)
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Robinson Cano wore the number earlier this year, but was slated for assignment in May.
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