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Mets plan ‘Bobby Valentine Disguise Night’ in nod to former manager

AP photo by Adam Hunger / Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, wearing a fake moustache, reacts as he is introduced before the team's home game against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 27, 2022.
AP photo by Adam Hunger / Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, wearing a fake moustache, reacts as he is introduced before the team's home game against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 27, 2022. AP photo by Adam Hunger / Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, wearing a fake moustache, reacts as he is introduced before the team's home game against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 27, 2022.

By The Associated Press 2 min read

NEW YORK — That won’t necessarily be Bobby Valentine behind the sunglasses and fake mustache at Citi Field this spring.

Among several promotions the New York Mets announced Thursday for their 2026 home schedule is a Bobby Valentine Disguise Night on May 29, inspired by what the former manager donned to return to the dugout after being ejected from a game in 1999. The giveaway for the first 15,000 fans will be a glasses-mustaches getup similar to the one worn by Valentine in an attempt to fool umpires.

“I love it!” Valentine, 75, wrote in a text to The Associated Press about the planned giveaway. “I’ll be there. Can’t wait.”

While Valentine went 536-467 as the Mets manager from 1996 to 2002, helping guide them to the 2000 World Series, he is perhaps best remembered for the dugout disguise. The former manager has even played into that over the years.

When he was introduced during a Mets’ old-timers’ day in 2022, he came out donning a fake mustache, drawing a loud chuckle from the crowd at Citi Field.