sny
Forty years after their legendary World Series run, the 1986 New York Mets gathered once again at Citi Field for a reunion that was equal parts nostalgia and sober reflection. The event, held on a Saturday afternoon, brought together the iconic squad known as much for its off-field antics as its on-field dominance, with Darryl Strawberry joking before the ceremony, "I can't believe some of us are still alive."
The day was filled with warm recollections and hearty applause as former players were introduced in pairs, from Ron Darling and Doc Gooden to Keith Hernandez and Mookie Wilson. Yet the festivities unfolded before a crowd that filled only about half of the ballpark, a stark reminder of the current team's struggles and the fading connection between the franchise's glorious past and its uncertain present.
Bobby Ojeda, a key pitcher on that championship team, acknowledged the diminished turnout, saying, "We're not the show. It's great to be celebrated after all these years, but fans don't live in the past. It's about today's team. And I don't blame fans if they don't want to spend their money on this team."
The reunion also brought poignant moments, including a video tribute to those who have passed, most notably manager Davey Johnson, who died in September 2025. Ray Knight, a heart-and-soul figure of the '86 squad, was rolled onto the field in a wheelchair by Howard Johnson, underscoring the passage of time.
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Beyond the celebration, several former Mets expressed deep frustration over the franchise's 40-year championship drought, directing criticism at current leadership. Wally Backman lamented, "It really bothers the heck out of us. We've all been talking about it: How can it be this long? How can it be this bad?" He and others argued that the organization, under David Stearns, has over-relied on analytics at the expense of intangibles like chemistry and fight.
Strawberry echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the importance of leadership and unity. "It takes fight to win here in New York," he said. "We had a team that didn't always get along; we butted heads at times, but we also fought for each other because deep down, we loved each other." He pointed to the Knicks' recent success as an example of a team that embraced that mentality.
Ojeda, a former SNY analyst, was particularly blunt, stating, "I really think it's on Stearns. He built this thing and I don't think he believes in intangibles, which I believe are so important to a winning ballclub. I don't feel like he's taken enough accountability either." He admitted the frustration often keeps him from watching games, saying, "I try not to even think about it because it's so frustrating."
While the reunion was a time to honor a legendary team, it also served as a bittersweet reminder of how far the Mets have fallen since their last title. As Ojeda noted, "Forty is a big number. Who knows how many of us will be here for the next one? But it's also hard to believe it's been forty years and we're still the last team to win." The day ended with the former players enjoying each other's company, but the shadow of four decades without a championship lingered over the festivities.
Originally reported by sny.