All New Yorkers were stunned and saddened to learn that Tom Seaver has been forced to withdraw from public life — meaning he won’t be part of the New York Mets’ 50th anniversary celebration of the 1969 team he led to championship glory.

That clinches the case for the Mets to install a statue of their all-time icon at Citi Field.

Seaver was more than a standout Hall of Fame player. He ranks as one of the greatest pitchers of all time, and the ultimate Met.

As The Post’s Mike Vaccaro writes, “No other Met in history is responsible for more memories.” Not for nothing was he called The Franchise. Even now, 33 years after retiring, he still holds most Met pitching records.

He was, quite simply, the single most important player in Mets history. And he deserves to be commemorated at Citi Field, prominently — and permanently.

In fact, The Post’s Kevin Kernan reports, all signs are pointing to the Mets erecting a statue, indeed have been considering such a plan for a couple of years when Seaver’s health began deteriorating.

But while the team wants to honor Seaver — especially during the Miracle Mets anniversary — it still hasn’t been decided whether to put up the statue inside or outside the park.

Some testament is long overdue. Yankee Stadium commemorates 37 of that team’s greats in Monument Park. Three statues outside Fenway Park honor five Boston Red Sox players. A likeness of Stan Musial stands by the entrance to Busch Stadium.

Frankly, the Mets owe Tom Seaver: Despite the disrespectful way previous owners often treated him, he always considered the team his home.

While his medical condition means the star won’t show for any event, the dedication of a statue this year is the right way to salute Mets history and give Tom Seaver the honor he deserves.