While the magnitude of having his number being retired by the New York Mets is "sinking in," Keith Hernandez can only wonder if the Hall of Fame could still be in his future after falling off the ballot in 2004 after nine years.
Hernandez, a captain and commentator beloved in Queens for nearly four decades, on Wednesday said he was caught "completely by surprise" by Mets owner Steve Cohen on Tuesday when he was informed that the franchise would be retiring his No. 17 on July 9.
"He dropped the bomb on me," the 68-year-old Hernandez said of becoming just the fourth Mets player to have his number retired.