Would a jersey number keep Shohei Ohtani from coming to the Mets?

Things just seem to be getting worse – and more bizarre – for the New York Mets. After faltering badly throughout the first half of the season, the team that looked so promising in the early going will likely need a minor miracle to even sniff the postseason this year.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that many people have written off the Mets for 2023 and are already focusing on 2024. And, of course, this means that they’re thinking about impending free agent Shohei Ohtani. After all, owner Steve Cohen has a seemingly bottomless amount of money, so why not spend $500 million or so on the modern-day Babe Ruth?

Well, not everybody is excited at the prospect of Ohtani coming to New York – or, at least, coming to wear his current number. The Angels star wears number 17, which, on the Mets, belonged to legendary first baseman Keith Hernandez. Ohtani having this number were he to become a Met wouldn’t be a big deal – except for the fact that the Mets retired it last year.

Hernandez, who is a Mets broadcaster, was recently asked by broadcaster partner Gary Cohen during a game about Ohtani using number 17.

“Well, he couldn’t,” Hernandez said.

“Well, with your permission he could,” said Cohen.

“Don’t ask,” Hernandez replied.

It seems ludicrous to think that Hernandez would have a serious problem with arguably the best player in the game wearing his number if he really wanted it. It’s also quite possible that the guy who may now be known more for poking fun at himself on Seinfeld than his past on-field heroics was only messing around. 

Not everybody, however, saw it that way. Former Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman didn’t mince words with this tweet: