Meet More Mets (Dec. 10): Omar Minaya returned from the Winter Meetings with a new catcher, Paul LoDuca, acquired from the Marlins at full retail -- pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez, and minor-league outfielder Dante Brinkley. LoDuca is likely to dress in his familiar No. 16, vacated by 2004's disappointing first-base experiment, Doug Mientkiewicz.

In other moves, the Mets made official minor-league contracts and spring training invites for lefty Matt Perisho, formerly of the Marlins and Jose Valentin, the former Brewer and White Sock infielder most recently with the Dodgers. Valentin has worn No. 22 most often in his career, but was 10 last year. Both are theoretically available as both Royce Ring 22 and Shingo Takatsu 10 have been booted from the 40-man roster.

You're Invited (Dec. 24): The Mets yesterday announced that nine players had been signed to minor league contracts and been invited to Spring Training. They include ancient slugger Andres Galarraga, who will turn 44 this summer -- younger than The Francos at least (thanks Paul). It's possible that the Big Cat makes the team, perhaps as the righthanded swinging half of a first base platoon, but he won't be wearing his familiar No. 14 here. That's retired.

Rehabbing Met bullpen veterans Grant Roberts 36 (photo at right by David Whitham); Scott Strickland 28 and Orber Moreno 49 were also retained with minor league contracts, as was outfielder Gerald Williams 21. Bringing back Williams would seem more pointless than usual, but for the news that Mike Cameron 44 is having surgery and will likely miss the first month of the year.

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.