Mets by the Numbers

Sanchez, Acta & Santiago -- Updated (Feb. 28): Providing speedy responses to the inquiry posted here yesterday, Duaner Sanchez is indeed wearing No. 50 (thanks Matt and Kieran). Keiran in the meantime spied coach Manny Acta wearing No. 3, settling the issue of what number he wound up with after Sanchez swiped his former digits. The mystery of Jose Santiago's jersey remains. As pointed out by MBTN reader Brian, his No. 33 was re-issued this spring to prospect John Maine, and published rosters have either not been accurately updated or, in a likely foreshadowing the opening-day roster, leave him off completely.

Let us know what you find.

Nady, Chavez Swap & Other Stuff (Feb. 20): Thanks to MBTN reader Larry for pointing out another switch from Caravan week: Xavier Nady is wearing 22 (his previous number with the Padres) and Endy Chavez is wearing 10, not 22, in contrast to earlier published rosters. Also, Paul of Uni Watch notes the Mets this year are wearing what appear to be aerodynamic, two-tone batting helmets. Quoth Homer: "Mmmmm... speedholes."

We also found a cool new blog: Getting Paid to Watch, by 1986 Met trainer Bob Sykes, who combines unique perspective on the 1986 Mets along with good writing.

Lima to 42, Not (Feb. 20): For a guy who may very well wind up released in a few weeks, Jose Lima has sure created a lot of controversy. As previously detailed, Lima was assigned No. 99, gave it up Saturday for No. 42, and was back in 99 again on Sunday. His one day in Jackie Robinson's number apparently didn't sit well with some uptight columnists, who all but likened it to urinating on Robinson's grave. Not courting controversy with this team (Carlos Delgado shall do as he's told, says Jeff Wilpon), the Mets had Lima back in 99 Sunday. Not that this was ever a big deal. Robinson's memory survived Butch Huskey, Ron Hodges and Mo Vaughan, and it will survive Lima Time too.

Maine Attraction (Feb. 17): Of all the beat guys, nobody's spring training dispatches get us in the mood quite like Marty Noble, who must know some readers, like us, are hopeless suckers for the insignificant detail. In today's report at mlb.com, Noble informs us that newly arrived pitcher John Maine has a thing for No. 33, which he found dangling from a hanger in the clubhouse, rather than the 57 he wore at the Caravan a few weeks back. We like Maine, too, who says of his new digits: "It's great. I guess it's a good sign. And it's a pitcher's number; that's the best part."

Lima Time (Feb. 17): The Mets got a new candidate for the rotation and gave away the highest number in camp to their newest Spring Training invitee, Jose Lima 99.

Getting High (Updated March 2, 2006):Congratulations to AAA Norfolk catcher Andy Wilson, who will have the honor of wearing the highest number in camp when the Mets gather shortly in Port St. Lucie, according to this spring-training roster thoughtfully passed along by MBTN reader Rich. Wilson will be dressed in No. 94. The roster also shows Royce Ring doubling his digits from 22 to 44; and Pedro Feliciano and Jose Parra in new numbers since the last time we saw them.

With most published spring rosters proving inaccurate, we've culled together our own MBTN spring roster from various sources (we've thrown in a bonus -- Free Geography -- at no cost to you):
 

Off-Topic Historical Note (Feb. 7): Our work with Uni numbers leads naturally to an examination of transactions. At the SABR meeting in New York recently, we reviewed the short but vital career of 1967 General Manager Bing Devine. Speech text and accompanying powerpoint are published here.