The New York Mets announced on Saturday they’ll honor the lives of former players Willie Mays and Jerry Grote by wearing memorial patches on their jerseys for the remainder of the season.
Mays, a 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove outfielder and two-time National League Most Valuable Player, passed away on June 18 at the age of 93. He spent the final two seasons (1972-73) of his Hall of Fame career with the Mets.
“Putting the patch on the uniform is another clear indication by the Mets that they appreciated and valued the contributions my dad made to the organization and, for that matter, to New York City,” Mays’ son, Michael, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Grote – who died in April at the age of 81 – spent 12 seasons behind the plate in New York (1966-77). He was a two-time All-Star and member of “The Miracle Mets,” who upset the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series.
“When I look at this patch, I see the legacy he left behind. I see the love (the fans) have extended to him and will continue to extend to him,” Grote’s son, Jeff, said during a press conference at Citi Field on Saturday. “His legacy will live on without a doubt.”
The patch honoring Mays features his No. 24 enclosed within a circle on the left sleeve of New York’s jerseys, while Grote’s name and No. 15 are included inside of a diamond-shape patch on the right sleeve.
Grote’s patch now sits beside another diamond-shaped patch that honors his and Mays’ former teammate, shortstop Buddy Harrelson, who passed away in January at the age of 79.
“It has been a tough year for our Mets family,” owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in the aforementioned statement. “We’ve lost two Mets Hall of Famers in Buddy Harrelson and Jerry Grote and the great Willie Mays.
“Jerry was the best defensive catcher in the history of our organization and guided the incredible 1969 pitching staff. We were honored to fulfill (former owner) Joan Payson’s promise to retire Willie’s number on Old Timers’ Day a few years ago and make sure he has a permanent home in New York.”
