NEW YORK (AP) — About an hour before addressing the packed house at Citi Field, a concentrated Keith Hernandez stared in deep study at his index cards in a mostly empty interview room — his big brother sitting just a step away.
Always prepared. Always a pro. Always with Gary by his side.
A rock-steady leader for the New York Mets’ last championship team, Hernandez received a rare honor Saturday when the club retired his No. 17 jersey before a game against the Miami Marlins.
“This is just a great moment for me. I never dreamed I’d be here this long, in the organization,” Hernandez said from a podium between the pitcher’s mound and second base. “I am absolutely humbled and proud that my number will be up in the rafters for eternity.”
Moments later, No. 17 in blue with orange trim was unveiled along the Citi Field roof in the left-field corner, just to the left of the No. 36 retired for pitcher Jerry Koosman last year.
Hall of Famers Tom Seaver (41) and Mike Piazza (31) are the only other Mets players to have their numbers retired by the team. Former managers Casey Stengel (37) and Gil Hodges (14) were also so honored.
“I thank you,” the 68-year-old Hernandez, now a popular Mets broadcaster, said to the cheering and chanting sellout crowd of 43,336 during a 30-minute ceremony. “I’m truly overwhelmed.”
Beloved by Mets fans for his work both on the field and in the booth, Hernandez spent seven of his 17 major league seasons with New York from 1983-89 and batted third for the 1986 World Series champions.
The next year, he was chosen the first captain in club history.
Hernandez ranks second in Mets annals with a .297 batting average and 10th in RBIs. He won a team-record six of his 11 Gold Gloves at first base in New York and was elected to the Mets’ Hall of Fame in 1997.
“He practically rewrote the manual on how to play first base,” longtime Mets radio announcer Howie Rose said. “He didn’t simply play first base, he performed it — a virtuoso.”
Following the ceremony, Hernandez threw out the first ball from first base to his brother Gary, who caught it with a weathered first baseman’s mitt Hernandez wore during the second half of the ‘86 season.
Hours before the game, fans in No. 17 jerseys with Hernandez’s name across the back stood in long lines waiting for the gates to open.
