NEW YORK — Bobby Valentine was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame on May 30, 2026, alongside former teammate Lee Mazzilli. The ceremony followed a pre-induction celebration at Citi Field on May 29 that recreated Valentine’s famous 1999 dugout disguise.

On May 29, 2026, Valentine, then 76 years old, wore sunglasses and a fake mustache while throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to the Mets mascot, whose cap read “Not Mr. Met.” Fans received a giveaway of sunglasses and fake mustaches, and local children from John Lewis Childs grammar school on Long Island sang the national anthem—several with mustaches of their own. A group of disguised children later activated the Home Run Apple beyond the center-field fence.

The event paid tribute to June 9, 1999, when Valentine, then the Mets manager, was ejected during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays for arguing a catcher’s interference call involving Mike Piazza. After being tossed, he used eye black to fashion a fake mustache, donned sunglasses, and returned to the dugout in disguise—a move encouraged by pitchers Orel Hershiser and Robin Ventura. Television cameras quickly identified him, and he later led the team onto the field to celebrate Rey Ordoñez’s game-winning single in the 14th inning.

Valentine was fined $5,000 and suspended for two games for the stunt. Reflecting on the moment through Jay Horwitz, the team’s vice president of alumni public relations and historian, Valentine said, “At the time I did the mustache, we were struggling and I wanted to let the guys know I was behind them.” He added, “Great memories for me.”

In a 2019 podcast interview, Valentine said, “It was made a big thing because things were kind of big at that time. I was supposed to be fired.” His 1999 actions came three days after general manager Steve Phillips fired three coaches. Valentine had declared he should be fired if the team didn’t go 40–15 over its next 55 games; the Mets did exactly that and reached the National League Championship Series. He later managed the team to the 2000 World Series against the Yankees.

Valentine managed the Mets from 1996 to 2002, compiling 536 wins—third most in franchise history—and ranked second in games managed when he was dismissed after the 2002 season. He also played part of two seasons with the Mets in 1976–77.