Hi everyone, I’m Gary Carter, Hall of Famer, 1986 World Champion and former co-captain of the New York Mets!
I’m here to tell you the great news that the New York Mets have decided to retire number 16 in honor of my great teammate Dwight Gooden, and number 18 in honor of my other great teammate Darryl Strawberry.
Now some of you are saying this should have been done twenty years ago, and you’re right, and some of yo are saying that this is a cynical play by Steve Cohen who has to market SOMETHING now that he’s handed in one of the biggest busts of all time and we’re going to be rebuilding next year – well, you guys are ALSO right.
I understand that my smile and good guy act may have rubbed some folks the wrong way, maybe even some on the Mets committee that decides such thing, but let me tell you that along side my fellow 1986 teammates Ron Darling – you know Ron, he’s been a big presence in the organization for 40 years now, you’ll find him most night with my teammate and co-captain Keith Hernandez who you may recall from that lovable story about how he left the dugout during Game 6 – what a character Keith is – and also another great teammate Mookie Wilson, who has been a good soldier for 40 years – we’re so excited that Steve has seen fit to retire 16 and 18.
We’re so excited for Doc and Darryl – and boy I’ll tell ya, I think if you had asked Darryl back in 1990 if he thought his number would be retired he would have joked “Yeah, with the Dodgers, who I can’t wait to sign with!” It’s funny how things turn out!
Anyway, just wanted to drop you guys a note. I’m going to give former captain John Franco a call and see what he thinks about this, and I guess I will eventually give David Wright a call and see if he’s still in touch with whatshisname, the guy that may or may not have thrown his wife through a window. Oh and I should probably check in with the 1969 guys too…let me see how Coach Harrelson is doing, poor guy.
Great job Steve. I can see that you and the team thought this through and didn’t just panic because season ticket renewals look like they might be a little slow.
Until next time, this is former captain, Hall of Famer and World Series Champion Gary Carter saying Let’s Go Mets!
