Mets 50th Anniversary Alumni Bobblehead Series to feature Seaver, Staub, Hernandez, Alfonzo and Piazza

FLUSHING, N.Y., February 14, 2012 – The New York Mets today announced the Mets 50^th Anniversary Alumni Bobblehead Series will feature Tom Seaver, Rusty Staub, Keith Hernandez, Edgardo Alfonzo and Mike Piazza.  The first 25,000 fans at Citi Field will receive the following bobblehead giveaways on the following dates: Seaver (April 22), Staub (May 26), Hernandez (June 17), Alfonzo (July 21) and Piazza (August 25).

Fans can secure tickets to all bobblehead dates with a 6-Game Marquee Flex Pack or a 6-Game Value Flex Pack which are on sale now online at Mets.com/packs and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX. 

Today’s announcement of the Mets 50^th Anniversary Alumni Bobblehead Giveaways is the latest in a series of commemorative events tied to the season-long celebration that includes the unveiling of a commemorative logo and redesigned uniforms, the return of Banner Day, and the launch of the Mets50.com web site focusing on Mets fans and their memories.

Each Mets legend in the bobblehead series represents a different decade in Mets history:

Tom Seaver Bobblehead Presented by Citi – Sunday, April 22 at 1:10 p.m. vs. Giants

Seaver will kick off the bobblehead series when the Mets play the San Francisco Giants Sunday, April 22 at 1:10 p.m.  Seaver is the club’s all-time leader in wins (198), ERA (2.57) and strikeouts (2,541). The Hall of Famer went 25-7 and won the first of three Cy Young Awards in 1969, helping the Mets stun the baseball world by winning the World Series. A 12-time All-Star, Seaver had his number retired when he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1988. Following seven seasons as a Mets TV broadcaster, Seaver is entering his seventh season as a club ambassador.

Rusty Staub Bobblehead Presented by GEICO – Saturday, May 26 at 1:10 p.m. vs. Padres

The Mets will celebrate the 1970s with a Rusty Staub bobblehead Saturday, May 26 when the Mets host the San Diego Padres at 1:10 p.m.  A six-time All-Star, Staub helped the Mets return to the World Series in 1973. He hit three home runs in the NLCS and then batted .423 with six RBI in the seven-game World Series. In 1975, he became the first player in franchise history to drive in 100 or more runs in a single season. Staub, who was elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 1986, has spent the past 12 years working for the organization as a club ambassador.

Keith Hernandez Bobblehead Presented by Gold’s – Sunday, June 17 at 1:10 p.m. vs. Reds

Keith Hernandez will represent the 1980s and be commemorated with a bobblehead for the first time Sunday, June 17 when the Mets face the Cincinnati Reds at 1:10 p.m.  Hernandez played seven years with the Mets and helped the team capture the 1986 World Series.  An 11-time Gold Glove winner, Hernandez is among the club’s all-time leaders in RBI (468) and batting average (.297).  He was elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 1997.  Hernandez is entering his seventh season as a game analyst on SNY’s Mets telecasts.

Edgardo Alfonzo Bobblehead Presented by Verizon – Saturday, July 21 at 1:10 p.m. vs. Dodgers

The 1990s will be celebrated with an Edgardo Alfonzo bobblehead Saturday, July 21 with the Mets-Los Angeles Dodgers game at 1:10 p.m.  Alfonzo ranks among the club’s all-time leaders in home runs (120), RBI (538) and extra-base hits (346).  He flourished on the big stage, ranking as the team’s all-time postseason leader in RBI (17) hits (26) and runs scored (15).  Alfonzo enjoyed the single greatest game in team history, going 6-6 with three home runs and five RBI on August 30, 1999 at Houston.

Mike Piazza Bobblehead – Saturday, August 25 at 1:10 p.m. vs. Astros

Mike Piazza will be featured as the final bobblehead of the series Saturday, August 25 when the Mets face the Houston Astros at 1:10 p.m. The greatest home run-hitting catcher of all-time played with the Mets from 1998-2005. Piazza, a 12-time All-Star, ranks among the club’s leaders in virtually every offensive category. Piazza hit .412 with two home runs in the 2000 NLCS to help the Mets advance to the World Series. His memorable home run in the Mets first game back after the terrorist attacks in 2001 helped the community begin the healing process.

As previously announced, Mets single game tickets for the 2012 season at Citi Field will go on sale Monday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m.