Quick in-game break from our daily teeth-gritting [1] to acknowledge that the New York Mets seem to have caught on after 4½ months and will be (hold on to your fedoras [2]) honoring the heritage of the New York Mets in a well-rounded fashion. The organization with the Ebbets Field facade, the Pee Wee Reese jerseys displayed prominently in the main team store and the the Brooklyn Dodgers highlights running in a loop above the Jackie Robinson Rotunda — to say nothing of what their owned & operated farm club is doing to celebrate the existence of one of the Mets’ sworn enemies [3] — is finally getting on the ball with a little Mets decor and even a three-day nod to that other New York National League franchise that helped pave their way.
From the horse’s mouth [4]:
The New York Mets today announced they will honor their National League heritage by wearing throwback uniforms inspired by the turn of the century New York Giants uniforms when they play the San Francisco Giants August 14-16 at Citi Field.
The cream-colored jerseys feature an oversized blue “NY” on the front, blue and orange piping on the sleeves and a Mr. Met patch on the right sleeve.
Mets Amazin’ Memorabilia will auction off the jerseys to benefit the Mets Foundation on www.mets.com/gameused.
In addition, the Mets have begun installation of photographic imagery of famous players and historic moments in team history on the Field and Promenade Levels as well as the display of team championship banners on the left field wall.
The Mets were created after the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants left for California following the 1957 season. Major League Baseball granted New York a National League franchise in 1960, and the Mets played their first two seasons in 1962 and 1963 at the Polo Grounds — the former home of the Giants.
One will have to inspect the installations and such, but may I say, as one of the most vociferous critics of the Mets’ one-eye-covered approach to their history, way to go team.
