Mets' Alumni Classic delivers nostalgia as more than 40 former players return to Citi Field
Pregame ceremony and exhibition pitting Shea-era and Citi Field-era players ended in a 2-2 tie and drew rapturous ovations for Hall of Famer Mike Piazza and other fan favorites
The New York Mets gave fans a nostalgia-filled afternoon Saturday, staging an Alumni Classic and pregame ceremony at Citi Field that reunited more than 40 former players and managers and ended in a 2-2 tie between Shea Stadium–era and Citi Field–era rosters.
The event, held before the Mets’ regular-season game against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 13, 2025, featured a parade of well-known alumni, on-field warmups and a lighthearted exhibition that included mock ejections and familiar rituals that drew sustained ovations from spectators.
Hall of Famer Mike Piazza received one of the loudest reactions from the crowd, and former outfielder Benny Agbayani said the gathering allowed him to relive the game. "I don’t miss suiting up. This is what I miss, being around these guys and seeing the fans again," Agbayani said. "It’s one of those awesome things to be able to give back to the fans…and go down memory lane. A big thank you to the organization and the owners for making it happen."
Former managers and coaches were on hand as well. Bobby Valentine and Terry Collins staged an on-field argument and were theatrically ejected by umpires, and Valentine later returned wearing a fake mustache and glasses in a callback to a stunt from 1999. Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel threw ceremonial first pitches alongside Valentine and Collins.
The alumni roster included stars and cult favorites from across franchise eras: Johan Santana, Matt Harvey, Darryl Strawberry, Pedro Martinez, Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, Carlos Delgado and Bartolo Colon, among others. Former reliever Turk Wendell recreated his signature resin-bag routine before pitching but left the exhibition shortly afterward with an apparent injury.
Jose Reyes described the reunion as an emotional return. "I feel like a little kid again right now, just running around the field," he said. "Just to get the opportunity to see some guys I played with 20 years ago…it was a very good feeling."
Rey Ordoñez, a three-time Gold Glove winner, made one of the day’s most eye-catching plays, ranging to make a backhanded stab on a grounder while positioned at third base. Curtis Granderson, another alumnus, praised team ownership for arranging the event and said it was a chance to thank fans. "The fans want to see it. It’s just a big thank you to ownership for wanting to see this happen and to the players for showing up," Granderson said.
The appearance of Jacob deGrom drew attention on a different note. Now a pitcher for the Texas Rangers, deGrom stood near the visiting dugout and visited with several former Mets teammates from the club’s 2015 World Series run. DeGrom had started for the Rangers Friday night in an 8-3 victory that contributed to the Mets’ recent string of losses.
Team owners Steve and Alex Cohen have increased the franchise’s emphasis on honoring its history in recent seasons, adding jersey retirements and ceremonies. The Alumni Classic continued that trend as the Mets, who have struggled at the tail end of the regular season, offered fans a nostalgic respite.
Organizers said the event was intended as a thank-you to the fan base, and the alumni players expressed appreciation for the invitation and the crowd’s response. The exhibition concluded without a winner, but the afternoon’s emotional reunions, classic gestures and memorable plays provided the crowd with a reminder of the franchise’s rich past during a season that has offered few on-field bright spots.