In a surprise move, the New York Mets retired the number 24 in honor of Willie Mays on Old Timers' Day.

Mays began his career with the then-New York Giants in 1951, and spent 15 seasons with the team while they were in San Francisco.

However, in 1972, the original owner of the Mets, Joan Payson, made due on her promise to bring the "Say Hey Kid" back to the East Coast, acquiring him in a trade.

Mays spent most of that season, and the entirety of the 1973 season, with the Mets and played in the World Series with them in his final big league season. The Mets lost to the Oakland Athletics in seven games.