Whenever New York Mets fans gather they always mention certain names as the ones to help to establish the team into the franchise that it is today. Most recently the team will induct four gentlemen who have helped to add to the lore of the team.
There are two players in Howard Johnson and Al Leiter , along with broadcaster Gary Cohen and Howie Rose who will all be inducted into the teams Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 3. The Mets are planning to have a pre-game ceremony prior to the 4:10 p.m game against the Blue Jays at Citi Field.
In addition the Mets are also planning to honor Jay Horwitz, who has been the team’s long time public relations person and historian with the Mets Hall of Fame Achievement Award for his contributions.
“It was an honor informing each of the four new members that they were going to be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame,” Mets Owner, Chairman and CEO Steve Cohen said. “Howard Johnson was the classic combination of speed and power, with three seasons of 30-homers and 30-stolen bases. Al Leiter, who grew up in New Jersey rooting for the Mets, ranks in the top 10 in team history in wins and strikeouts. Mets fans are privileged to have two of the very best in all of baseball describing the action with years of institutional Mets knowledge. Gary Cohen is set to start his 35th year of calling Mets games and Howie Rose has been covering the team since 1987. In addition, we are honoring Jay Horwitz, who has passionately worked for this organization for over 40 years, with the Hall of Fame Achievement Award. I’m looking forward to celebrating more Mets history on June 3.”
Johnson, who has always been known for his grit and hustle, has been able to compile three seasons of 30-home runs and 30-stolen bases (1987, 1989 and 1991), which is the most in the team’s history. In addition HoJo has he is lovingly called became the first switch-hitter to join the 30-30 club in major league history. Johnson ranks in the top five in franchise history in home runs, doubles, RBI and stolen bases. The infielder was a huge part of the 1986 championship squad and has also finished top 10 in MVP voting three times, including the 1991 season when he led the National Leagues in home runs (38).
Al Leiter always brought high intelligence and an uncanny ability to hit the strike zone whenever he was on the mound. Leiter won double-digit games in seven straight years (1998-2004 with the Mets. The lefty is amongst the top in franchise history in wins, innings, strikeouts, along with quality starts. Leiter had himself a two-hit shoutout performance for the Mets in the one game playoff against the Reds during the 1999 season. During the 2022 season Al became the first pitcher to defeat all 30 major league teams. In addition Letier was a two-time All-Star, while also being honored by MLB with the Roberto Clemente and Branch Rickey Award for his charitable efforts.
Gary Cohen, who has been the voice of the Mets, started calling Mets games on the radio in 1989. From there Cohen has been able to transition to SNY and provided so many memorable moments with his voice in addition to some amazing knowledge of the game of baseball and how to properly score the game.
As for Howie Rose, whenever you listen to the Mets on the radio you are guaranteed to hear the voice of Rose. Mets fans everywhere are familiar with his signature call “Put in the books’ emphasizes Mets wins.
Journalists everywhere owe a great deal of debt to Jay Horwitz, who had joined the team on April 1, 1980 as the teams public relations director. Anytime any of the journalists needed any information or had a question on the team’s history and or what to do next Jay has always been there.
The Mets Hall of Fame currently has 30 members and that includes Joan Payson (1981); Casey Stengel (1981); Gil Hodges (1982); George M. Weiss (1982); Johnny Murphy (1983); William A. Shea (1983); Ralph Kiner (1984); Bob Murphy (1984); Lindsey Nelson (1984); Bud Harrelson (1986); Rusty Staub (1986); Tom Seaver (1988); Jerry Koosman (1989); Ed Kranepool (1990); Cleon Jones (1991); Jerry Grote (1992); Tug McGraw (1993); Mookie Wilson (1996); Keith Hernandez (1997); Gary Carter (2001); Tommie Agee (2002); Frank Cashen (2010); Dwight Gooden (2010); Davey Johnson (2010), Darryl Strawberry (2010), John Franco (2012), Mike Piazza (2013), Jon Matlack (2020), Ron Darling (2020) and Edgardo Alfonzo (2020).
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