The New York Mets announced on Monday that they will be donning a commemorative patch on their uniform sleeves to honor the late Buddy Harrelson throughout the 2024 season.
The long-time member of the organization, first as an All-Star second baseman from 1965-1977 and then as a coach in 1982 and 1985-1991, passed away on Jan. 19 at the age of 79 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.
The patch will feature Harrelson’s uniform No. 3 with his nickname “Buddy” in a diamond.
On Opening Day this Thursday at Citi Field against the Milwaukee Brewers, 23 members of the Harrelson family will be in attendance while his six grandchildren will throw out ceremonial first pitches.
“I told the kids on a Zoom call what the Mets were doing for Buddy,” Kim Battaglia, who was married to Harrelson for 36 years, said. “They were all so happy and overwhelmed. It will be an emotional day. We just want to thank Steve and Alex [Cohen] for honoring him. For us, it was just confirmation for the kind of person Buddy was. I don’t think there was a kinder or more generous man than Buddy. He had a heart of gold.”
Harrelson’s playing career was headlined by his participation on the 1969 World Series winning team along with two All-Star appearances in 1970 and 1971 and a Gold Glove Award at shortstop, also in 1971. He was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame in 1986 — the same season the Mets won the World Series with him coaching third base — and ultimately rose the ranks to team manager where he served from 1990-1991.
Harrelson was the only player in franchise history to be in uniform in some capacity for the team’s first four trips to the postseason in 1969, 1973, 1986, and 1988.
