NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1986 World Series championship by welcoming back many members of that adored and colorful team Saturday night.
During a pregame ceremony that lasted about 40 minutes, there was a giant replica of the World Series trophy in front of the center-field fence. Highlights from the 1986 season and the team's "Let's Go Mets!" music video from that year were shown on the scoreboard. Players and coaches from the '86 club were introduced to the sellout crowd at Citi Field and walked a long red carpet that stretched from the center-field warning track to the podium behind second base.
"On that team, we had something for everybody," manager Davey Johnson recalled.
Family members of deceased players, coaches and executives took part; Jesse Orosco imitated the final out of the '86 World Series against Boston by flinging his glove high in the air after throwing a ceremonial first pitch to D.J. Carter, the son of late Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter. And with the '86 team lined up on the basepaths, many current Mets came out to give them hugs and handshakes.
The national anthem was sung by actress Glenn Close, just as she did during the '86 Series.
"These things are kind of cool. This is a big part of Mets history. But we're trying to create our own right now," current manager Terry Collins said before the game. "We're more worried about the 2016 Mets. ... I think what we're trying to do is create our own identity."
The party was cut short, however, when the defending NL champions lost 9-1 to Chase Utley and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
