The previous gamers applauded and shook his hand as he joined them for a gaggle photograph on Outdated-Timers’ Day.
The gang behind the third-base dugout roared and later chanted, “Thanks, Steve,” on completely different events.
Steve Cohen was handled like a hero, because the Mets welcomed again a few of their greatest gamers in franchise historical past for an occasion they final hosted in 1994.
“It’s their day, it’s not my day, OK,” Cohen mentioned on Saturday earlier than the Mets’ 3-0 win over the Rockies. “I’m simply comfortable I may convey them collectively. It’s higher late than by no means. Now we have such nice historical past with the Mets, it’s vital to have a good time it.”
It’s simply one in all many adjustments beneath Cohen’s watch across the Mets. From their excessive payroll close to the highest of the sport to his interactions with followers on Twitter to the Tom Seaver statue that was completed and displayed in Might, a lot concerning the Mets has modified with new possession.
The present group sits atop the NL East 35 video games over .500, with its greatest file at this level within the season because the World Collection champion 1986 group.
“He’s introduced a way of hope, that’s most likely the easiest way to place it,” former Met and present YES and ESPN analyst David Cone mentioned. “The entire fan base has a way of hope now that that is sustainable. Yr in and 12 months out, that no matter it takes, it’s going to be completed. That’s only a nice feeling as a fan. He appears to grasp the fashionable manner of doing issues and what the fan base responds to.”
A Mets fan rising up, Cohen mentioned he didn’t discover it unusual the Mets didn’t have an Outdated Timer’s Day yearly just like the rival Yankees. However as soon as he took over from the Wilpons, and the concept was advised, he was all for it. Present supervisor Buck Showalter praised Cohen for being keen to spend the cash essential to placed on such a formidable occasion.
“Imagine me, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Showalter mentioned. “I informed him, ‘Thanks.’ He didn’t wish to hear it.”
Cohen was thrilled concerning the turnout and the chance to listen to so many tales from former gamers he grew up watching, sitting within the locker room with gamers from each period of Mets baseball. These gamers in flip raved about him and his ardour for the Mets.
“He’s positively altering issues,” Gooden mentioned. “He is aware of, he will get it. … Nothing in opposition to the Wilpons, they have been nice, too, however he’s taking it to an entire ’nother stage. What I imply by that, getting alumni again concerned, placing the followers first and the group, placing a aggressive group again on the sphere.”
Each Cone and Gooden consider the Mets could be a constant winner, as they have been within the Eighties. There may be pleasure concerning the group, for this season and past. There may be additionally a way of satisfaction within the Mets’ historical past beneath Cohen.
Saturday’s Outdated-Timer’s Day was memorable, drawing the likes of Pedro Martinez, Cleon Jones, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Mike Piazza, and Jose Reyes, and so many others. Earlier than the precise sport started, the Mets retired Willie Mays’ No. 24.
“These are easy issues. I feel the followers simply wish to know you care, and wish to know that possession is listening. That’s all I’m attempting to do,” Cohen mentioned. “I’m doing this for the followers, and so I’m listening to what they should say. I don’t at all times should agree, proper, however it’s vital to me to know what they’re pondering and it’s vital to me that they know that I care.”
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