This Sunday, Johnny Franco Will Be Inducted Into The Mets’ Hall Of Fame

Bensonhurst-born Johnny Franco will be inducted into the Mets’ Hall of Fame on June 3, before an afternoon game at Citi Field.

Franco will become the 26th member of the team’s Hall of Fame.

“Growing up rooting for the Mets, it’s an honor, and very special for a kid from Brooklyn,” Franco said to the New York Daily News back in January when the announcement was first made.

A vivid and touching tribute to Franco’s long Mets’ career written by Marty Noble appears on the MLB website. Here’s an excerpt:

Franco’s tenure with the Mets was filled with images, not the least of which were his wearing an orange, New York City Department of Sanitation T-shirt under his uniform as a salute to his late father, and his carrying his father’s badge, No. 4447, in his shaving kit. Moreover, there are images of him leaving the bullpen in right field at Shea with Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” blaring, and him celebrating his 400th career save at Shea the night of April 14, 1999.

Congrats to Franco, we couldn’t be prouder of our very own.