Kelvin Torve: Former Mets Utility Player Who Was Mistakenly Issued Uniform #24
The six foot three inch, left handed hitter, attended Oral Roberts University at Oklahoma, where he later became a member of the school's Hall of Fame.
In 1991 he was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants.
MLB Career: In 1988 he made his MLB debut with the Twins seeing action in 12 games going 3-16 (188). In 1989 he placed at AAA Portland in the Pacific Coast League.
Since then, no other player had even thought about wearing Mays’ number 24. In 1973, After retiring from his playing career ,Mays became a part time coach with the Mets thru 1978 still wearing that number.
Kelvin Torve suited up & wore his new uniform totally unaware of the situation. The Mets played seven home games & then went on the road to San Francisco, the place where Mays spent the peak years of his career.
Soon, the fans began writing & calling in to Shea Stadium in outrage over this Torve guy wearing the great Willie Mays’ number. The Mets finally realized the mistake & asked Torve to switch numbers, which he of course gladly did.
In 1999 the Mets broke down & issued #24 to Rickey Henderson. In 2024 the Mets finally retired Willies #24. Although Mays may not have been a career Met, he was a great inspiration to the 1973 NL Pennant team & played his final games in the World Series as a Mets player.
In 1990 Torve played in 20 games for the Mets going 2-9 as a pinch hitter, batting .289 overall (3-16) with two RBIs.
Retirement: After his playing days Torve became a salesman for a packing company in North Carolina. In 2018 he became manager of Rapid City's Post 22 Baseball team where he has been thru 2025.
Torve hit well in the minor leagues, batting over .300 three times but still spent ten years there before making the big leagues.
In 1981, Kelvin began at A ball staring his journey through the ranks of the Giants organization. In 1985 he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles organization spending three years there.
In 1981, Kelvin began at A ball staring his journey through the ranks of the Giants organization. In 1985 he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles organization spending three years there.
In 1988 he signed with the Minnesota Twins AAA team, where he batted over .290 two straight years. Torve was scouted as a first baseman with very little power.
MLB Career: In 1988 he made his MLB debut with the Twins seeing action in 12 games going 3-16 (188). In 1989 he placed at AAA Portland in the Pacific Coast League.Mets Career: In December 1989 Torve signed with the New York Mets. In 1990 he hit .303 at AAA Tidewater, getting a chance that August when a roster spot opened up.
The Uniform 324 Drama: On August 7th, when he arrived at Shea Stadium Kelvin found a uniform waiting for him in his locker. But the Mets clubhouse staff totally screwed up as they issued Torve the uniform #24 which was last worn by the New York legend, Willie Mays.
Although the Mets had never officially retired Willie’s #24 up to that point, former team owner Joan Payson had promised Willie Mays, no one would ever be issued the uniform number after he retired from playing & coaching.
Although the Mets had never officially retired Willie’s #24 up to that point, former team owner Joan Payson had promised Willie Mays, no one would ever be issued the uniform number after he retired from playing & coaching.
Kelvin Torve suited up & wore his new uniform totally unaware of the situation. The Mets played seven home games & then went on the road to San Francisco, the place where Mays spent the peak years of his career.
Soon, the fans began writing & calling in to Shea Stadium in outrage over this Torve guy wearing the great Willie Mays’ number. The Mets finally realized the mistake & asked Torve to switch numbers, which he of course gladly did. In 1999 the Mets broke down & issued #24 to Rickey Henderson. In 2024 the Mets finally retired Willies #24. Although Mays may not have been a career Met, he was a great inspiration to the 1973 NL Pennant team & played his final games in the World Series as a Mets player.
Game Winning RBI: On August 9th, in a 3-3 tied game at Shea Stadium with the Phillies, Torve drove a two run double to right center field bringing in his only two Mets RBIs, leading to the 5-4 win.
In 1991 Kelvin started the year back at AAA Tidewater where he hit .273. That July he was called back up to the Mets, playing in ten games, being used mostly as a pinch hitter going 0-8. He was granted free agency at the end of the year.
Post Mets Career: Kelvin went on to play in Japan for two years where he was a teammate of a young Ichiro Suzuki. In his first season he led the Orix Blue Wave in batting (.305).
Career Stats: In his brief three year career Kelvin hit .226 with 14 hits, one HR &14 RBIs in 42
games.
games.
Retirement: After his playing days Torve became a salesman for a packing company in North Carolina. In 2018 he became manager of Rapid City's Post 22 Baseball team where he has been thru 2025.
Family: Kelvin & his wife Tonya were married in 1984, celebrating 40 years of marriage in 2024.