What's Mex Jeff? Here Is An Idea

We have pounded Mets ownership in this space in the past. We did credit the team on the new stadium, but wanted more Mets Memories on display.

Voila! The Mets Hall Of Fame.

I personally have hammered this ownership for their lack of a sense of history, and now this August, they will enshrine Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Frank Cashen, and Davey Johnson in the Mets Hall Of Fame. All men are well deserving of this honor.

Attendance has been rather disappointing at Gil Hodges Memorial Park, er Citi Field. Here is an idea to not only draw fans, but appease them.

On June 6, 2010 retire #17 and emblazon the OF wall with #17 Hernandez.

This is long over due. I will personally guarantee the Wilpons a sell out crowd on that Sunday.

Why June 6th? Easy. It is the last weekend home game before June 15, which will mark the 27th anniversary of the Mets acquiring Hernandez from St. Louis for Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey.

Secondly, they are playing arch rival Florida. What better fan pump, as well as team pump than to finally recognize, celebrate, and honor the man known as Mex?

Can you imagine Hernandez addressing the crowd and offer that intensity that made him Captain? To quote Benigno, it would be "Stellar"

The man who single-handedly taught a young group of talented ballplayers how to not only play, but how to win, which culminated with a World Championship in 1986.

Remember in Houston with Hernandez on second base glaring at Strawberry, who was batting, and tapping his right shoulder - instructing Straw to keep his front shoulder in? Strawberry's front shoulder was opening up too quickly, thus diminishing Straw's power. For Davey Johnson, he was a manager on the field.

Just ask Darryl. Just ask Ron Darling. Jesse Orosco. Keith was the man, and what better way to honor the Captain than by retiring his #17 so that no one will be permitted to wear it ever again?

For us old time Mets fans, seeing such ballplayers wear #17 was a disgrace:

Jeff McKnight
Brent Mayne
Mike Bordick
Kevin Appier
Dae Sung Koo
Jose Lima
Fernando Tatis

No offense to any of these players, but they aren't 17. Keith Hernandez is and always be 17 in fans hearts. Now it should be that way in Mets lore.

Time for the Wilpon's to honor the man who made the Mets respectable again. Time to retire #17.

Source: Mets By The Numbers