Manager Willie Randolph said he would wear No. 42 on April 15 when baseball honors Jackie Robinson.
“Any time I can be involved with the name Jackie Robinson, it’s an honor for me,” Randolph said Wednesday, according to MLB.com. “I want to be the one. He was such a special man who did so much for so many people. I’m looking forward to the ceremony and to seeing Rachel [Robinson, Jackie’s wife].”
Willie would be the 10th man to wear 42 for the Mets, Others include Larry Elliot (1964); Ron Taylor (1967-71); Chuck Taylor (1972); Hank Webb (1972); Ron Hodges (1973-1984); Tom Hall (1975); Roger McDowell (1985-89); Butch Huskey (1995-98) and Mo Vaughn (2002-03). Huskey and Vaughn were grandfathered into baseball’s leaguewide retirement of the jersey in 1997; and both wore the number in Robinson’s honor.
Submitted by Jon Springer on Mon, 01/21/2008 – 10:26am.
Ex-Met players/coaches who’ll also be wearing #42 that day include Cliff Floyd (Cubs), Mike Cameron (SD), Gary Matthews Jr. (LAA), Tony Clark (AZ), and Mickey Brantley (Tor).
Jeff Kent, Marlon Anderson, Eddie Murray and Brady Clark will don it for the Dodgers.
Xavier Nady will be part of the Pirates’ tribute, and so will Preston Wilson, Jose Oquendo, Gary Bennett, Braden Looper, and Jason Isringhausen in St. Louis.