Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine took their place in the New York Mets Hall of Fame on Saturday before the game against Miami, completing a journey that began with them as teammates and roommates decades ago. The pair's friendship and connection to different eras of Mets baseball made their joint induction feel inevitable, even if neither could have predicted it back in their playing days.

Mazzilli, a Brooklyn native drafted in the first round in 1973, spent nine seasons with the Mets primarily as a backup outfielder. He batted .277 with 53 home runs and 262 RBIs during his time in New York, becoming the first Mets player to homer in an All-Star Game in 1979. Despite playing through the lean years of the 1970s when the team averaged 97 losses per season, Mazzilli cherished representing his hometown.

Valentine's impact came as manager from 1996-2002, leading the Mets to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1999 and 2000, plus their World Series run that fell to the Yankees. His most memorable moment came in 1999 when he returned to the dugout disguised after an ejection, sparking a 40-15 surge that saved the season. Valentine also organized relief efforts at Shea Stadium after September 11th.

The Mets also honored late team photographer Marc Levine, who died in July 2024, with the Hall of Fame achievement award presented to his family.