The Mets will play the Army baseball team on March 31 at West Point’s Doubleday Field, capping their spring training exhibition slate and renewing an old tradition.
The Black Knights have long hosted major league clubs in late-spring exhibition contests, with the Yankees visiting Johnson Stadium in 2013. The Mets and Yankees used to regularly schedule exhibition games with the U.S. Military Academy but the Mets haven’t played one since 1984. This will be the ninth meeting between the two opponents, with the first dating all the way back to May 6, 1963, the second year of the Mets’ franchise.
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With his own military history, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has long been a supporter of the armed forces. Alderson is the son of an Air Force pilot who flew missions during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Alderson himself was a Marine Corps officer and is a Vietnam War veteran.
Mets’ COO Jeff Wilpon said Alderson helped inspire the idea to revive the series.
“Sandy Alderson and I were so inspired by our visit to the West Point campus last year that we wanted our players to have that experience,” Wilpon said in a press release. “The Mets are proud to be able to continue the strong bond we have with our military and this is a new way to show our appreciation for the sacrifices and bravery of our nation’s armed forces. We are looking forward to the game.”
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Abbey Mastracco may be reached at amastracco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @abbeymastracco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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