Instead, Hernandez appeared to Mets fans the way he did for the better part of seven seasons in the 1980s -- draped in blue and orange pinstripes, wearing his No. 17 jersey. He received a thunderous applause from the Citi Field faithful, paling only to the roar bestowed upon NL Division Series hero Jacob deGrom during introductions.
The on-field appearance of Hernandez, who broadcasts roughly 105 Mets games per season for SportsNet New York, proceeded those by former Mets players Ron Swoboda and Ed Charles (NLDS Game 3) and Rusty Staub (NLDS Game 4). Hernandez, a Mets Hall of Famer, had three RBIs during New York's NLCS victory over Houston in 1986, and four RBIs in their subsequent World Series win over Boston.