Buck Showalter says ‘it’s a big day’ as Mets prepare to host Old-Timers’ Day for first time since 1994

Mets manager Buck Showalter started his pregame news conference on Friday night by noting that former Mets star Lee Mazzilli was seated in the back. 

Showalter asked Mazzilli, 67, when he planned to start stretching for Saturday’s Old-Timers’ Day game. 

“I already started,” Mazzilli said. 

The Mets will hold their first Old-Timers’ Day since 1994 on Saturday before their 7:10 p.m. game against the Rockies at Citi Field. Sixty-four former players and managers are expected to appear. 

“Big day tomorrow,” Showalter said. “Big day tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be pretty cool.” 

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m., with introductions set to begin at 4:30 and the three-inning game to follow. 

Former Mets managers Terry Collins and Willie Randolph picked the rosters for the game. 

With his first pick, Randolph selected David Cone. Collins took Bartolo Colon. 

The groups have been split into two teams, one called “Amazins” and managed by Randolph and Joe Torre. Dwight Gooden will be the starting pitcher. 

The other is called “Miracles” and will be managed by Collins and Bobby Valentine. Colon will be the starting pitcher. 

The starting lineups, as released by the Mets on Friday night: 

For the “Amazins”: Edgardo Alfonzo 3B, Tim Teufel 2B, Cliff Floyd RF, Mike Piazza C, Todd Zeile 1B, Todd Pratt DH, Kevin Elster SS, Benny Agbayani LF, Jay Payton CF. 

For the “Miracles”: Jose Reyes SS, Mookie Wilson CF, Daniel Murphy 2B, Howard Johnson 1B, Mazzilli DH, Robin Ventura 3B, Steven Henderson RF, Endy Chavez LF, Josh Thole C. 

Jay Hook, 85, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Piazza before the game against Colorado. Hook got the first victory in Mets history. 

The guest list is a who’s who of Mets history, from the 1962 Original Mets to the World Series champions of 1969 and 1986 and the World Series teams of 1973, 2000 and 2015. Even the lean years will be represented.  

“It’s a great day of celebration of people that meant a lot to our organization and the fans,” Showalter said. “Just hope we get [good] weather and nobody gets hurt. It’s a big day for the families of the players. Some of the kids and some of the people there have never seen their fathers or grandfathers play. I think to see the response people will have means a lot to the families.” 

Saturday’s guest list includes three members of the baseball Hall of Fame in Mike Piazza, Torre and Pedro Martinez and 11 members of the Mets Hall of Fame (Ed Kranepool, Cleon Jones, Wilson, Keith Hernandez, Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, John Franco, Piazza, Jon Matlack, Ron Darling and Alfonzo). 

The Yankees held their first post-pandemic Old-Timers’ Day since 2019 last month and it was scaled back – just introductions and no game. They hope to have a game next year. 

Here’s the full list of those expected to appear on Saturday: 

Managers: Collins, Torre, Valentine, Randolph.  

Pitchers: Craig Anderson, Colon, Cone, Dennis Cook, Ron Darling, Steve Dillon, Sid Fernandez, John Franco, Gooden, Mike Hampton, Hook, Terry Leach, Al Leiter, Skip Lockwood, Ed Lynch, Ken MacKenzie, Pat Mahomes, Martinez, Matlack, Roger McDowell, Bobby Ojeda, Jesse Orosco, Glendon Rusch, Doug Sisk, Steve Trachsel, Billy Wagner, Turk Wendell. 

Infielders: Alfonzo, Wally Backman, Rico Brogna, Elster, Keith Hernandez, Johnson, Ray Knight, Ed Kranepool, Felix Millan, Murphy, Reyes, Rafael Santana, Teufel, Ventura, Zeile. 

Outfielders: Agbayani, Chavez, Floyd, Henderson, Cleon Jones, Mazzilli, Kevin Mitchell, Payton, Art Shamsky, Strawberry, Ron Swoboda, Frank Thomas, Wilson. 

Catchers: Todd Hundley, Piazza, Pratt, Thole, John Stearns. 

Asked who he is most looking forward to seeing on Saturday, Showalter said: “All of the above. Lee Mazzilli.” 

Mets’ Old-Timers’ Day: What To Know

The Mets will hold their first Old-Timers’ Day since 1994 on Saturday. They are expecting 64 former players and managers. The game will be 3 innings. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

2 p.m. – Red Carpet arrival of select Old-Timers at the Seaver VIP entrance (third base side) 

3:30 p.m. – Gates open 

4:30 p.m. – Introductions followed by Old-Timers game 

7:10 p.m. – Mets vs. Rockies 

SNY coverage begins at 3:30 p.m.