The Enduring Legacy Of No. 7: Everything To Know About The Mets' Ed Kranepool Patch For 2025

The New York Mets are honoring one of their most beloved and enduring figures, Ed Kranepool, throughout the entire 2025 season by wearing a special No. 7 memorial patch. This tribute ensures that the legacy of the longest-tenured Met, a key member of the 1969 World Series championship team, remains visible on the field following his passing in September 2024.

As of December 15, 2025, the team has confirmed that every player will wear the distinctive black and white patch on the sleeve of all their jerseys, a powerful gesture that connects the current squad to the franchise's deep history. The patch, which simply features Kranepool's iconic number seven inside a black square, is a poignant reminder of "Steady Eddie's" 18 seasons in the orange and blue, a rarity in modern baseball.

Edward Emil Kranepool III: A Life Dedicated to the Mets

Edward Emil Kranepool III, known affectionately as "Steady Eddie," was a true New Yorker who became synonymous with the New York Mets franchise. His career spanned nearly two decades, making him a central figure from the team’s earliest days through its first championship glory.

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• Full Name: Edward Emil Kranepool III
• Born: November 8, 1944, in New York, NY (The Bronx)
• Died: September 8, 2024, in Boca Raton, FL
• Position: First Baseman / Outfielder
• MLB Debut: September 22, 1962
• Career Span: 1962–1979 (Entire career with the New York Mets)
• Key Achievements: 1969 World Series Champion, National League All-Star (1965), New York Mets Hall of Fame (1990)
• Legacy: Longest-tenured player in New York Mets franchise history (18 seasons).

Kranepool signed with the Mets as an amateur free agent straight out of James Monroe High School in the Bronx when he was just 17 years old. He debuted in 1962, the team's inaugural season, and his longevity saw him become a bridge between the hapless expansion club and the legendary "Miracle Mets" of 1969.

The Significance of the Mets No. 7 Patch

The decision to honor Kranepool with a uniform patch for the entire 2025 season is a powerful statement about his importance to the club. The patch itself is simple yet instantly recognizable to fans of Mets history.

The design features his number 7 in white, set against a solid black square background. This minimalist approach is typical for memorial patches, ensuring the focus remains squarely on the number of the departed legend.

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A Season-Long Tribute for a Franchise Icon

The Mets announced that the patch will be worn on the sleeve of all team jerseys for every game of the 2025 season. This includes home, road, and any special alternate uniforms (like the City Connect). This commitment is significant, as some memorial patches are only worn for a portion of the season or on specific uniform sets.

The tribute officially began with the team’s 2025 home opener, which included a ceremony dedicated to Kranepool’s memory. His passing in 2024 at the age of 79 marked the loss of one of the few remaining ties to the original 1962 team, making the 2025 season tribute a focal point for fans reflecting on the team's history.

Kranepool’s Enduring Legacy and the No. 7

While the Mets have a tradition of retiring numbers for true legends—such as Tom Seaver's No. 41 and Mike Piazza's No. 31—Kranepool's No. 7 has not yet been retired by the franchise. However, the season-long patch serves as an unofficial retirement and a major honor, placing him in the highest echelon of Mets greats who have received this type of tribute.

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Kranepool’s impact went beyond his statistics. He was a homegrown player who embodied the spirit of the Mets, surviving the early struggles and peaking with the improbable 1969 World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He holds the franchise record for most games played (1,853) and remains a symbol of loyalty and perseverance.

Joining a Tradition of Mets Uniform Patches

The No. 7 patch continues a rich tradition of the New York Mets honoring their legends with uniform patches. In recent years, the team has worn several memorial patches, often for players, coaches, or executives who have passed away.

For example, in the 2024 season alone, the Mets wore patches to honor other franchise legends, including:

• Buddy Harrelson (No. 3): A fellow "Miracle Met" and former manager, honored with a patch worn throughout the 2024 season.
• Jerry Grote (No. 15): The All-Star catcher for the 1969 and 1973 pennant teams, honored with a patch in mid-2024.
• Willie Mays (No. 24): Honored with a patch in mid-2024 following his death, recognizing his brief but significant tenure with the team.

The consistent use of these tribute patches highlights the Mets organization's commitment to acknowledging and celebrating its deep history. The Kranepool No. 7 patch for 2025 is the latest and most prominent example of this dedication, ensuring that the team’s current players and fans never forget the original "Steady Eddie."

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

The story of the Mets No. 7 patch is deeply interwoven with the fabric of the franchise. To fully appreciate its significance, consider these related entities and concepts:

Key Entities and Concepts:

• 1969 Miracle Mets: The championship team Kranepool anchored.
• Shea Stadium: The team’s home park for most of Kranepool’s career.
• Citi Field: The modern-day home where the patch is worn.
• New York Mets Hall of Fame: Kranepool was inducted in 1990.
• Longest-Tenured Met: Kranepool holds the record for most seasons played.
• Franchise History: The patch represents the bridge from the expansion era to the championship era.
• Uniform Patches: The broader tradition of memorial patches in baseball.
• Jesse Orosco: Another long-serving Met often mentioned alongside Kranepool.

The Kranepool No. 7 patch is more than just a piece of felt; it is a wearable piece of New York Mets history, a tribute to a player who was a Met from start to finish. For fans, it’s a treasured collector’s item and a constant, visible reminder of the loyalty, longevity, and championship spirit that Ed Kranepool brought to the organization for nearly two decades.