Three reasons the Mets need to retire numbers this year

The New York Mets have had a slightly busy week from a business sense. They avoided arbitration with both Lucas Duda and Jenrry Mejia. Not business related, but also announced earlier this week is the news that several players would be switching jersey numbers. Among them are Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard.

That got me thinking. While this type of thing happens often across the league, it’s a less common occurrence in Queens. Far less common, however, is the practice of retiring a number. They only have four retired. The Mets are more prone to just remove a number from circulation. I was reminded of an article I wrote almost two years ago about players whose numbers should be retired.

While the players are debatable, one thing is not; this has to be done. There are three major reasons why this season is their best opportunity. It embraces their past, allows fans to identify with the organization better and gives their future a glance at the greatness they should be aspiring to.

First, the Mets have had a long 53 years of history. They’ve won two titles in dramatic fashion. They’ve had an influence in pop culture and music history. They’ve been a major part of a country healing. Along the way, there have been thousands of players that have been a part of these events. Few have been exceptional.

Why shouldn’t those players be celebrated. While those memories and moments are forever preserved in the Mets Hall of Fame, the players that made the most impact should be honored in such a way that no one else can ever wear their number.

Next, there is an enormous gap between management and fans. Call it a difference of philosophy if you will. It has caused years of tension and hatred of ownership by some sects of fans. What better way to close that gap then for management to extend the olive branch and show they care about what the fans care about?

The fans have wanted several of their heroes etched up onto the walls of Citi Field. Management simply has not obliged. This, along with other perceived grievances, has been an issue for the fans. It’s time for the fans and management to come together on this.

Ownership must realize that it is the fans that make the team and, therefore, should get some of the things that they want, if only to give the appearance that they matter to the team.

Finally, the Mets have a plethora of young talent that is ready to explode. They would benefit from seeing and meeting the greats that have preceded them. Names like Strawberry, Gooden, Piazza, Staub, etc are always popular in spring training.

How much more so would they be to the younger players if their numbers are retired? These popular players of days gone by know how to win and win under the immense pressure of New York. They have wisdom that is essential to the generation of today that management is so highly counting on.

If the time truly is now, those younger players need examples of what they should strive to become someday. What better way to feel challenged to rise to greatness than to be able to see that greatness face to face?

In closing, the Mets as an organization are on the rise. They have a chance to embrace their fans and their past while looking toward their future. If they continue to fail at doing this, they will find themselves completely alienated from their fans.

That may not be a good thing for either side.