Retired Met: Tom Seaver’s Number Retired

Tom Seaver became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired by the Mets for his achievements as a player. (Gil Hodges, whose number had previously been retired, had been both a player and a manager. His number was retired primarily for his contributions as a manager.) Said Seaver before the ceremony at Shea Stadium: “This is special coming in a town where some of the game’s greats have had their numbers retired — the Mantles, DiMaggios, Ruths and Gehrigs.”