Mets honor Willie Mays and Jerry Grote with new uniform patches

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets debuted uniform patches Saturday honoring Willie Mays and Jerry Grote that will remain on all their jerseys for the rest of the season.

A circular patch with Mays' No. 24 was added to the left sleeve of the City Connect tops New York wore for its home game against the Houston Astros. Mays, who died on June 18, concluded his Hall of Fame career with the Mets from 1972-73 and had his number retired by the club on Old-Timers' Day two years ago.

“Putting the patch on the uniform is another clear indication by the Mets that they appreciated and valued the contributions my dad made to the organization and for that matter to New York City,” Mays' son, Michael, said in a statement.

On the right sleeve, Grote's No. 15 joined “Buddy No. 3” in a pair of diamond-shaped logos on a rectangular patch the team already had been wearing this season in tribute to former shortstop Bud Harrelson, who died in January.

Grote, a longtime Mets catcher renowned for his elite defense, died in April.

Each a two-time All-Star, they were teammates in New York from 1966-77 and helped lead the Miracle Mets to their 1969 World Series championship.

“It has been a tough year for our Mets family,” owners Steve and Alex Cohen said. “We’ve lost two Mets Hall of Famers in Buddy Harrelson and Jerry Grote and the great Willie Mays. Jerry was the best defensive catcher in the history of our organization and guided the incredible 1969 pitching staff."

Grote broke into the big leagues with Houston before joining the Mets. His family was at Citi Field to celebrate his career.

“It means so much to the Grote family that the Mets are remembering Jerry’s legacy,” said his wife, Cheryl, and son, Jeff. “Jerry still has so many fans in New York and it makes us proud that what he did for the organization will not be forgotten.”

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New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez wears a No. 3 and No. 15 patch on his uniform during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. The Mets debuted uniform patches Saturday honoring Willie Mays and Jerry Grote (15) that will remain on all their jerseys for the rest of the season. The No. 3 patch is for Buddy Harrelson. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' DJ Stewart wears a No. 24 patch on his uniform during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. The Mets debuted uniform patches Saturday honoring Willie Mays (24) and Jerry Grote that will remain on all their jerseys for the rest of the season. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Willie Mays' son, Michael Mays, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

FILE - New York Mets' Willie Mays, center, shows John F. Kennedy Jr., left, the proper grip on the bat June 3, 1972, in the dugout at New York's Shea Stadium. At right is Eric Von Huguley, a friend who joined young John in a visit to the Mets' dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves. Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)

New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. The Mets debuted uniform patches Saturday honoring Willie Mays and Jerry Grote that will remain on all their jerseys for the rest of the season. A circular patch with Mays' No. 24 was added to the left sleeve of the City Connect tops New York wore for its home game against the Astros. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

FILE - New York Mets' Willie Mays poses on May 12, 1972 in New York. Mays, the electrifying "Say Hey Kid" whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball's greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had "passed away peacefully" Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones.(AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)

DALLAS (AP) — Klay Thompson is moving on from the Golden State Warriors, with the four-time league champion agreeing to join the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and change franchises for the first time in his 13-year NBA career, two people with knowledge of the decision said Monday.

ESPN and The Athletic first reported the deal which, as currently constructed, will be executed as the sign-and-trade of a three-year, $50 million contract involving the Warriors, Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets, said the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been publicly announced. One of the people who spoke to the AP said final trade terms were still being worked out.

Thompson is sixth on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made list with 2,481, behind Reggie Miller (2,560), Damian Lillard (2,607), James Harden (2,940), Ray Allen (2,973) and Thompson’s now-former “Splash Brother” with the Warriors, Stephen Curry, and his 3,747 career makes from beyond the arc.

There were indications last season that Thompson and the Warriors might be headed toward a breakup.

Thompson came off the bench 14 times — not much in the grand scheme of things considering he played 77 games, but those were his first appearances as a reserve since his rookie season of 2011-12. He shot 38.7% from 3-point range, the second-worst of his career. He averaged 17.9 points, the third-lowest of his career. He wasn’t always in the finishing lineup and the season — and his Warriors career — ended with a 0-for-10 shooting performance against Sacramento in a play-in tournament loss.

Thompson — a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection who missed two entire seasons with injuries — took a long look around the court after that game, soaking in the scene just in case it would be his final time playing with the Warriors. Turns out, it was. And now he'll join a Dallas team that just went to the NBA Finals as a shooter brought in to help Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

They were all undervalued on some level when they entered the NBA. None was a lottery pick, some weren’t even first-round picks and they didn’t have the label of can’t-miss prospects.

That was then. Monday was a very different story for Tyrese Maxey, Derrick White, Isaiah Hartenstein, Tobias Harris, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins — who are about to sign deals worth a combined $565 million.

All were confirmed to the AP by people with knowledge of the negotiations for the players involved.

Maxey, an All-Star this past season, agreed in principle to a five-year, $204 million extension that keeps him with the Philadelphia 76ers and set to play alongside Joel Embiid and soon-to-be-signed Paul George.

The 76ers, like the rest of the league, are chasing the Boston Celtics, who made a big move by agreeing with guard Derrick White on a four-year extension worth around $125 million. White averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 assists for the NBA champions this past season.

Hartenstein, a center coming off a breakout year, is leaving New York for Oklahoma City on an $87 million, three-year deal that includes an option. The Thunder — the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this past season — also finalized extensions with Joe ($48 million) and Wiggins ($47 million).

And Harris is going to Detroit on a two-year deal worth $52 million, a move first reported by ESPN and one that will give the young Pistons an experienced veteran in the room as they continue their rebuild under newly hired coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Reynolds reported from Miami.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

FILE - Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) scores past San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, March 11, 2024. Klay Thompson is moving on from the Golden State Warriors, with the four-time league champion agreeing to join the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and change franchises for the first time in his 13-year NBA career, two people with knowledge of the decision said Monday, July 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

FILE - Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson gestures after making a 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. Klay Thompson is moving on from the Golden State Warriors, with the four-time league champion agreeing to join the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and change franchises for the first time in his 13-year NBA career, two people with knowledge of the decision said Monday, July 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Ryan Sun)