On August 27, 2022, the New York Mets decided to retire Willie Mays’ 24 at Old Timer’s Day. They did that even though Mays could not personally make the trip due to his advanced age and poor health.

Steve Cohen said he did this because it was the right thing to do. Mays’ former teammates wanted it, and he felt there was an unfilled promise there.

Mays, who never did anything on the field to deserve the honor, knew he was getting his number retired. He couldn’t be there for the moment, but he had full knowledge the honor was being conferred.

Davey Johnson can never have that moment.

Sadly, after being sick for years, Johnson died at 82. He died after not getting properly honored by the Mets organization.

Johnson was undoubtedly the most accomplished manager in Mets history. His .588 winning percentage is by far the best as is his 595 wins.

He’s the only Mets manager with two 100+ wins seasons including a team record 108 wins in 1986. He’s the only manager with multiple division titles.

During his tenure, the Mets were in second place or better. In the modern era of baseball, he would’ve made the postseason every year, and likely, the Mets have more than one World Series win during his tenure.

Since Steve Cohen has taken over as Mets owner, there was a push to honor Mets history. For reasons still not explained, those honors did not include Johnson.

That 1986 team saw Keith Hernandez, Dwight Gooden, and Darryl Strawberry have their numbers retired. Three key members of that team had their numbers retired but not the man who led that team.

Retiring Johnson’s number wouldn’t have prevented David Wright from receiving his honor. They both wore 5 and had their own impact on the franchise. Johnson’s impact had the World Series Wright just couldn’t win.

Even if the Mets decide to do it now, it’s too late. Johnson has passed and cannot enjoy the honor or accomplishment. He never had the team he managed to it’s greatest run say their thank you.

Sadly, he’s passed without that. He deserved far better.