NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — After a nearly 30-year hiatus, a beloved baseball tradition is making a comeback in Queens.
The New York Mets announced Tuesday that they are bringing back Old-Timers' Day for the first time since 1994.
The old-timers' game will be held at Citi Field on Aug. 27 ahead of the Mets' matchup against the Colorado Rockies.
More than 40 players, including Frank Thomas, Ron Swoboda, Jon Matlack, Felix Millán, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Bobby Ojeda, Robin Ventura, Turk Wendell, Endy Chávez, Cliff Floyd and Daniel Murphy, will be introduced at 5 p.m. ahead of the game, which is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m.
New York eliminated Old-Timers' Day when the team was co-owned by Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday and did not attempt to restore it under the ownership of the Wilpon and Katz families, which began in 2002.
“Bringing back Old Timers’ Day was one of the most passionate requests I heard from our fans,” said Steve Cohen, the chairman, CEO and owner of the Mets. “As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary season, having these legendary players return to the ballpark to hear cheers from Mets fans once again is the perfect way to honor our past.”
Cohen bought the team ahead of the 2021 season.
Participating players are looking forward to putting on a Mets uniform once again and stepping onto the field in Queens.
“I plan on taking some [batting practice] before the game,” said 92-year-old Thomas, who led the original 1962 Mets with 34 home runs. “I hit homers at the Polo Grounds and at Shea. I would love to hit one at Citi Field.”
“Being back in the clubhouse with the guys will be great,” said Matlack, who pitched for the Mets from 1971-1977 and was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame last year. “But probably the thing I’m looking forward to the most is being able to see the Tom Seaver statue. Tom meant everything to my career. He was such a terrific teammate.”
The Mets are planning to unveil the statue honoring Seaver on Opening Day. The Hall of Fame pitcher and former Met died in September 2020 due to complications from Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. He was 75.
Gates will open at 4:10 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at Mets.com/tickets.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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