August 2002
Fonzie to the Rescue
Totally without coincidence, the Mets managed to break their embarrassing 12-game losing streak with the return of Edgardo Alfonzo 13 to the active roster. Ty Wigginton 9 was returned to Norfolk where he'll presumably work on his fielding. Alfonzo missed 20 games overall -- the Mets won only three of them.
Player to be Named Now
The Mets today received outfielder Raul Gonzalez from Cincinnati as the first of the two players to be named in the Shawn Estes deal. The Mets dressed Gonzalez in No. 21, making 21 the first number issued to three players in one season since No. 10 get used three times in 1997 (Thurman, Morgan, Petagine). The 21 hot-potato went from Bobby Jones to Mark Little to Gonzalez in a span of three weeks.
Seo, Scutaro Debut
Sunday's blowout in Cincinnati had one benefit -- allowing Marco Scutaro and Jae Wong Seo to make their big-league debuts. Scutaro flew out wearing No. 26 and Seo pitched a scoreless inning and stood to be the winner had the Mets only managed to score eight more runs in the 9th. Seo, expected to returned to Norfolk when Steve Trachsel 29 is activated for Monday's start, wore No. 38. Mike Bascik 33 was demoted in the meantime.
Estes Sent Packing, White Flag Waving
The Mets last week faced the reality of their disappointing campaign, sending Shawn Estes 55 to Cincinnati for prospects and players to be named later. Unlucky when not inconsistent, Estes was replaced in the rotation by Norfolkian Mike Bacsik 33, who probably won't do any worse but ought not do much better. They then sent stinky, demoted throw-in Mark Little 21 to Arizona for a Stiff-to-be-Named-Later.
Fonzie to DL
The Mets retroactively disabled Edgardo Alfonzo 13 and his sore oblique. Taking is his place is the exciting Marco Scutaro who provided a few fun thrills earlier this year wearing No. 26.
More Moves
The Mets following the nightmarish double-header with Arizona on Saturday, designated newly arrived stiff Mark Little 21 for assignment and promoted Ty Wigginton. Wiggs earlier this year wore No. 9.
Deadline Deals
Once again, Steve Phillips went hard at the trading deadline, resulting in three new Mets. He sent Jay Payton 44, Mark Corey 27 and minor league slugger Robert Stratton to Colorado for righty starter John Thomson and utility outfielder Mark Little. Met press notes say Thomson will wear No. 50 and Little No. 21. Little's number became available minutes earlier when the Mets sent Bobby Jones 21 and a few minor leaguers to San Diego for sidearming reliever Steve Reed. Reed will wear No. 39. (Thanks to Jason for the speedy update). Also, Satoru Komiyama 17 was sent to Norfolk (again, and probably, forever).
Also on Wednesday, the Mets recalled Mike Bacsik 33, and welcomed Super Joe McEwing 47 back from the disabled list. After the game, Bacsik was sent back to Norfolk, along with Marco Scutaro 26, in order to make room for the new arrivals.