Mets Honor Keith Hernandez With Number Retirement Ceremony

Mets 1B Keith Hernandez (Photo Credits to AP)

The New York Mets retired 1B Keith Hernandez's number 17 prior to today's game against the Miami Marlins.

The ceremony began with a video tribute and then Mets radio announcer Howie Rose introduced and welcome guests including former teammates Ron Darling and Mookie Wilson, current Mets manager Buck Showalter, Mets owner Steve Cohen and Mets announcer Gary Cohen.

Showalter and Cohen then gave Hernandez a mosaic portrait of his face.

Piazza next spoke for a few minutes about being traded to the Mets prior to Hernandez's speech.

Hernandez gave an emotional and heartfelt speech about his career and life and the 1986 championship team and thanked his family and teammates as well as coaches from the minor leagues.

After the ceremony, he took a victory lap around the ballpark waving to all the fans.

Hernandez is the fourth Met player to have his number retired and joins Mike Piazza (31), Jerry Koosman (36) and Tom Seaver (41).