New York Mets Announce Dates that Franchise Will Retire Legendary Numbers in 2024

We already knew that Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden would have their numbers retired by the New York Mets in 2024.

Now, we know when those ceremonies will be happening.

The New York Mets revealed Wednesday that Dwight Gooden’s No. 16 will be retired on April 14 and Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18 will be retired on June 1.

A ceremony to honor Gooden’s 11 years with the Mets will precede a game against the Kansas City Royals. Gooden ranks second in franchise history behind only Tom Seaver in several major pitching categories, including wins (157), strikeouts (1,875) and wins above replacement (41.6). He’s third in innings pitched (2,169 2/3).

Strawberry will be honored before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The franchise leader in career home runs (252), Strawberry ranks second among Mets position players in RBIs (733) and wins above replacement (36.6), third in OPS (.878), fourth in total bases (2,028) and fifth in stolen bases (191).

The 59-year-old Gooden spent 16 years in the big leagues with the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Rays and Astros. He spent 11 years with the Mets, going 157-85 and helping them get to (and win) the World Series in 1986. With New York, he was a four-time All-Star who won the Cy Young in 1985. He led the league in wins (24) and ERA (1.53) that season).

As for Strawberry, he played 17 years with the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Giants. Eight of those years were spent with the Mets. He also helped the team win the 1986 World Series and was a seven-time All-Star in New York. He led the National League in homers in 1988 with 39.

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