On November 16, 1961, the New York Mets officially unveiled one of the most recognizable logos in all of sports—a design that has remained mostly unchanged for more than six decades and continues to represent the heart, history, and skyline of New York City.

The information resurfaced today thanks to @NYMhistory on Twitter, who shared an incredible look back at both the original artwork and a handwritten note from the logo’s creator, cartoonist Ray Gotto.

A Design Rooted in New York

When the Mets were preparing to enter the National League for the 1962 season, they held a contest for the design of their team emblem. Ray Gotto, already a well-known cartoonist at the time, submitted the sketch that would become the foundation of the franchise’s identity.

The circular logo featured:

The New York skyline, including recognizable structures like the Williamsburg Savings Bank tower

The stylized script “Mets” front and center

The bridge imagery, symbolizing the connection between the city’s boroughs and its fanbase

Baseball stitching curving across the sky

It was a classic, clean, and distinctly New York design—timeless from day one.

The Original Colors Might Surprise You

According to the post from @NYMhistory, Gotto’s initial design wasn’t blue and orange at all. The emblem was originally pink and black, chosen to match the racing silks of Mets owner Joan Payson’s racehorse.

However, in an effort to honor New York’s two departed National League franchises—the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants—the colors were changed to the now-iconic Dodger blue and Giant orange. The Mets were built to carry the legacy of both teams forward, and the color scheme was the first tribute.

A Rare Look Into Gotto’s Own Words

Included in the resurfaced post is a handwritten letter from Ray Gotto dated April 15, 1993. In it, Gotto reflects on his time living in New York, mailing cartoons from St. Louis, and eventually submitting the logo that would win the contest. It’s a valuable first-hand account of a moment that helped shape the identity of an entire franchise.

While some of the buildings and skyline elements have been subtly refined over the years, the Mets logo has always stayed true to Gotto’s original vision—rooted in the city, honoring baseball history, and instantly recognizable.

62 Years Later: An Emblem That Still Resonates

Few team logos survive decades without major overhauls. The Mets didn’t just keep theirs—they celebrated it, embraced it, and built a franchise around the symbolism it carries.

And on this day, November 16th, Mets fans everywhere get a reminder of how their team’s visual identity came to be—thanks again to @NYMhistory for sharing this piece of Mets history.