The former players clapped and shook hands as he joined them for a group photo. old people’s day.
The crowd behind the Third Base bunker chanted and then chanted, “Thank you, Steve,” on several occasions.
steve cohen Treated like heroes, the Mets welcomed some of their greatest players in franchise history to an event they last hosted in 1994.
“It’s his day, it’s not my day, it’s fine,” Cohen said Saturday before The Mets beat the Rockies 3-0. “I’m glad I was able to bring them together. Being late is better than nothing. We have a great history with the Mets, it’s important to celebrate.”
It’s just one of many changes under Cohen’s watch at the Mets. From his high salaries near the top of the game to his interaction with fans on Twitter and the Tom Seaver statue that was completed and put on display in May, a lot has changed at the Mets under new ownership.
The current team sits atop 35 NL East games over .500, with its best record at this point in the season since the 1986 World Championship team.
“It brings a sense of hope, and that’s probably the best way to put it,” said David Kohn, a former Met, YES and current ESPN analyst. “The entire fan base has a sense of hope now that this is sustainable. Year after year, whatever it takes, it will be achieved. It just feels great as a fan. He seems to understand the modern way of doing things and what the fan base is responding to.”
Cohen, a Mets fan, said he didn’t find it strange that the Mets don’t have an old day every year like their rival Yankees. But as soon as he took over from Wilpons, and the idea was floated, everything went in his favour. Current manager Buck Showalter praised Cohen for his willingness to spend the money necessary to put on such a fantastic event.
“Trust me, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Showalter said. I said, ‘Thank you.’ “He didn’t want to hear it.”
Cohen was delighted with the turnout and the opportunity to hear so many stories from former players he grew up watching, sitting in the locker room with players from every era of Mets baseball play. These players, in turn, expressed their admiration for him and his passion for the Mets.
“It definitely changes things,” Godin said. “He knows, he understands. … Nothing against the Wilbones, they were great too, but he took it to another level. What I mean by that, bring back the alumni, put the fans first and the establishment, and put a competitive team on the field.”
Cone and Gooden believe the Mets can be a consistent winner, just like they were in the ’80s. There is excitement for the team, for this season and beyond. There’s also a sense of pride in the Mets’ history under Cohen.
Old Timer Saturday was a memorable day that attracted the likes of Pedro Martinez, Cleon Jones, Daryl Strawberry, Doc Godin, Mike Piazza, Jose Reyes and many more. Before the actual game began, Mets No. 24 Willie Maes retired.
“Those are simple things. I think the fans just want to know that you care and they want to know that the owners are listening. That’s all I try to do,” Cohen said. “I do this for the fans, so I listen to what they have to say. You don’t always have to agree, true, but it’s important to me to know what they’re thinking and it’s important to me to know that I care.”
