WASHINGTON -- The New York Yankees just announced the roster for their 70th annual Old Timers' Day, to be held June 12 in the Bronx. And that begs the question: Why do the New York Mets no longer have a similar annual tradition?
The Mets are bringing back the 1986 championship team this upcoming weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of that title. A team spokesman added, "We bring back former players throughout the season each year, which allows us the flexibility to do more with fans throughout the year."
Back in a 2009 article in The New York Times, then-Mets executive Dave Howard was more blunt, saying about Old Timers' Day: “It was particularly unpopular as a promotion.