Mets Embrace Team's History At Citi Field; Seaver, Stengel Among Honorees

November 23, 2009 4:30 p.m. EST

Flushing, NY (AHN) - The New York Mets plan to rename parts of Citi Field to honor past team greats. The baseball organization is also reforming a committee that will decide on future Mets Hall of Famers.

The first-base VIP entrance will be named after Gil Hodges, who led the Mets to their first World Series title in 1969.

The third-base VIP entrance will be named after legendary pitcher Tom Seaver.

The left-field VIP entrance will be named after Casey Stengel, New York's first manager.

The outfield bridge will be named Shea Bridge in honor of William A. Shea, who helped bring the Mets to New York after the Dodgers and Giants moved to California following the 1957 season.

The Mets plan to open a Hall of Fame & Museum next season. It'll be adjacent to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.

The team picked media members and front-office staff to evaluate potential future inductees.

"The reformation of the Mets Hall of Fame Committee is central to our concerted efforts to better connect our present and future to our past," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.