About an hour before addressing the packed house at Citi Field, a concentrated Keith Hernandez stared in deep study at his index cards in a mostly empty interview room -- his big brother sitting just a step away.

Always prepared. Always a pro. Always with Gary by his side.

A rock-steady leader for the New York Mets' last championship team, Hernandez received a rare honor Saturday when the club retired his No. 17 jersey before a game against the Miami Marlins.