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New York Mets retire Willie Mays' No. 24 jersey in Old-Timers' Day surprise

NEW YORK -- Willie Mays spent only two seasons with the New York Mets. His legacy will last forever.

In a surprise salute at Citi Field, the Mets retired Mays' jersey Saturday as part of festivities during the organization's first Old-Timers' Day since 1994.

"From this day forward, no Met will ever wear Willie Mays' iconic No. 24," emcee Howie Rose read to a near-standing ovation from the crowd.

The Say Hey Kid, forever No. 24. ud83eudde1ud83dudc99 pic.twitter.com/FZ2m9YJkLJ

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 27, 2022

One of baseball's greatest players, the Hall of Fame center fielder starred for the Giants in New York from 1951-57 and then in San Francisco from 1958-72 after the club moved to the West Coast.