The New York Mets will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1986 World Championship team with a series of special events scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend.
The Mets will host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field during the weekend, May 27-29. The team invited all members of the 1986 championship team, including then-Manager Davey Johnson, to participate in a pregame on-field ceremony on Saturday, May 28.
“The 1986 Mets made an indelible mark on the baseball and New York sports scene, capturing the hearts of fans like few other teams,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a news release. “This 30th anniversary celebration provides our fans a way to re-connect their excitement to the historic achievements of 1986.”
The 1986 Mets finished the regular season with a 108-54 record and defeated the Houston Astros in six games in the National League Championship Series. They went on to defeat the Boston Red Sox in an exciting seven-game World Series that many consider to be one of the best series ever played.
“It was a great run,” MLB.com quoted reliever Jesse Orosco as saying on a conference call announcing the Mets’ plans. “And we’re still going. New York, they remember us when every occasion comes up. That’s the fun part about being with the New York Mets organization.”
According to the Mets, special events for the weekend include:
- 1986 Themed Free Shirt at 7:10 p.m. on Friday, May 27. All fans in attendance will receive a 1986 World Championship themed t-shirt.
- 1986 Champions Pregame On Field Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. Coaches and players from the 1986 World Championship Team will participate in a special ceremony recognizing the team.
- 1986 Championship Replica Ring Giveaway at 8:08 p.m. on Sunday, May 29. The first 15,000 fans will receive a 1986 World Championship replica ring.
The National League Champion Mets kick off their 2016 campaign on Sunday, April 3, at the Kansas City Royals.