Note: The below is all the news updates that survive from prior to 2001. MBTN launched in 1999 but very little of the initial updates were saved and the original page format was less news-driven.

Matt's All: (August 9): The return of Darryl Hamilton from the disabled list tonight means a bittersweet reassignment for Matt Franco, expertly desribed by The Village Voice earlier this year as "even beginning to look like Rusty Staub." No. 15 hits the road as the Mets' third all-time leader in pinch hits behind Rusty and Ed Kranepool. We'll miss him. In case you forgot, Hamilton is still wearing No. 18.

Trade Winds: (July 28): Wow. The Mets today fleeced Baltimore in a trade for shortstop Mike Bordick. Bordick, whose familiar No. 14 is retired for Gil Hodges, will instead wear No. 17. The Mets parted with good guy Melvin Mora -- opening No. 6 for a potential record 26th issue? -- as well as No. 33, Mike Kinkade, and two minor leaguers.

The Mets then sent No. 11, Jason Tyner, and Paul Wilson, to Tampa Bay for Rick White and Bubba Trammell. White already has an excellent chance to become the team's greatest No. 51 of all time -- his chief competition being Mel Rojas. Trammell took jersey No. 33. Best of all, this move allowed the Mets to designate Rich Rodriguez and his cursed No. 46, for assignment.

Grant's Tomb: (July 27): Grant Roberts today had a Major League debut to forget, coughing up 6 runs in just 1 1/3 innings before a well-deserved return to Norfolk. Roberts became the 18th No. 36 in team histrory, and the first since Greg McMichael last year. The good news: A no-decision to go along with a 40+ ERA.