Mets Notebook: Team debuts patches for Willie Mays and Jerry Grote

Several sports greats have already passed in the year 2024, giving the summer a sobering feel. With the Mets hosting the Houston Astros this weekend, the club is continuing to honor the legacy of Willie Mays as well as their late Hall-of-Famers, late catcher Jerry Grote, by debuting two additional uniform patches.

The Mets recognized Mays last week shortly after his passing with a variety of tributes during the Subway Series. The club wanted something to commemorate his legacy and contributions in New York throughout the rest of the season.

Grote, who passed away April 7 at the age of 81, is the second member of the 1969 World Series-winning team to pass this year. His patch will go alongside the Bud Harrelson No. 3 patch the Mets have been wearing since Opening Day. The two were members of the 1969 Miracle Mets, and their teammates insist that championship wouldn’t have been won without them.

“The ’69 Mets are a team that — without going through the whole roster — the two of the guys that were instrumental in us being world champions are being honored today with this patch,” former Mets outfielder Art Shamsky said Saturday at Citi Field.

Grote’s son Jeff and wife Cheryl were on hand to thank the Mets for their recognition of the catcher that Shamsky called one of the best in baseball.

“It means so much to the Grote family that the Mets are remembering Jerry’s legacy,” Cheryl and Jeff said in a statement. “Jerry still has so many fans in New York and it makes us proud that what he did for the organization will not be forgotten.”

A San Antonio native, Grote started his career with the Houston Colt .45s, signed out of Trinity University in 1962. He made his big league debut in 1963 at the age of 20 and was traded to the Mets in 1965, where he played for the next 12 seasons.

Known for his defensive abilities, he called pitches for legends like Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan.

The Mays patch was a no-brainer. One of the best to ever man center field, his legacy extends well past the baseball field.

“Putting the patch on the uniform is another clear indication by the Mets that they appreciated and valued the contributions my dad made to the organization and for that matter to New York City,” Willie’s son Michael Mays said in a statement. “For my father, coming back to the Mets was coming back to where it all started. He was coming home. I want to thank Alex and Steve Cohen for honoring the pledge that Joan Payson made to retire his number. That meant a great deal to him and our family.”

The Mets also held a moment of silence for Orlando Cepeda on Saturday afternoon before hosting the Astros, who passed away Friday at the age of 86. Cepeda, a former San Francisco Giants first baseman, was only the second Puerto Rican to be enshrined at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A TY FOR A TY

Right-hander Ty Adcock made his Mets debut in the loss to the Astros, throwing 1 2/3 innings of relief of Tylor Megill. Adcock held the Astros to one hit and struck out one, drawing praise from Megill. Adcock threw 97 and went right at a tough lineup, not backing down to hitters like Jose Altuve or Alex Bregman.

“Ty came in, shut it down, and gave an excellent seventh inning,” Megill said.

The Mets are looking for relievers to step up in place of the injured and suspended arms. Even once Edwin Diaz returns from his 10-game suspension, the Mets will be lacking high-leverage relievers with Drew Smith and Brooks Raley both out with elbow injuries for the rest of the season.

Adcock is a journeyman minor leaguer the Mets are hoping to get the most from.

“Guys are going to have to get big outs for us as we go through this stretch when we play in a man short,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “Guys are different different roles that they might not be used to, but at the end of the day, they’ve got to come in and get three outs. That’s the mentality.”

OM-GLESIAS

One night after the Mets rallied Jose Iglesias for the launch of his single, “Omg,” the infielder went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. He’s hit .457 through his first 10 starts of the season, the best mark in franchise history for a player in his first 10 starts with the Mets.