Photo: Mets Add Jersey Patches to Honor Willie Mays, Jerry Grote for 2024 MLB Season

The New York Mets have added patches honoring the lives of Jerry Grote and Willie Mays, both of whom died this year, to their uniforms for the remainder of the season.

The team unveiled the patches, which feature the two former greats' numbers, on Saturday.

Grote's No. 15 was placed next to an existing patch honoring Bud Harrelson, who died in January.

Grote, who played for the Mets from 1966 to 1977, passed away in April at the age of 81. Mays, who ended his career with New York in 1973, died earlier in June at the age of 93.

"It has been a tough year for our Mets family," said Mets' owners Steve and Alex Cohen in a statement. "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. We were honored to fulfill Joan Payson's promise to retire Willie's number on Old Timers' Day a few years ago and make sure he has a permanent home in New York."

Grote, a two-time All-Star, helped lead the Mets to their first World Series victory in franchise history in 1969 and was a member of the National League Championship team in 1973.

Mays, who is widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of all time, spent the final two seasons of his career with the Mets, who retired his number in 2022.