Deadline Terror (July 31): As opposed to say, 2004, the Mets at least didn't mean to get worse at the deadline this year, though it was certainly bad news on the doorstep to learn that rubbery reliever Duaner Sanchez 50 would miss the rest of the year as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Miami; increasing any exisiting pressure they felt to do something about the bullpen, while dialing back any temptation to make Aaron Heilman a part of a bigger deal for a pitcher, left-handed pinch-hitter or anything else that might help come October. So instead the Mets swapped fungible outfielder Xavier Nady 22 to the Pirates for Proven Veteran Setup Guy Roberto Hernandez, along with Oliver Perez, who not too long ago, ranked among the most promising young left arms in the game.

At Lastings (May 30) Sobering word that outfielder Xavier Nady 22 is shelved with an appendectomy is accompanied today by the exciting news that prospect Lastings Milledge is in Flushing to take over while he's gone (and maybe longer). Word is Milledge will dress in the reserved-for-African-American-sluggers No. 44 (and not 6, which is what we might have rooted for to bridge the homegrown power alley between Wright 5 and Reyes 7). We wish Nady the best for a speedy recovery and that young Mr. Milledge (we won't ever get used to referring to him as Lastings, we don't think) doesn't wind up overwhelmed by the "can't miss prospect" pressures felt by previous Met inhabitants of his uni -- Jay Payton and Ryan Thompson.
 
 

Late Season Updates! (Sept.28): Back from a vacation and better late than never -- Anderson Hernandez recalled from Norfolk Sept. 17; Danny Graves 32 recalled on Sept. 5; and Mike Piazza 31 back from the DL on Sept. 10.  MBTN was surprised to return from our vacation to see Hernandez dressed in No. 1 -- which we thought that number might have been in semi-retirement awaiting the 1986 anniversary next season and Mookie Wilson's continuing service to the organization. As argued here before, MBTN is generally not in favor of retiring numbers -- we'd prefer to see them strategically re-issued -- but hard to say from his play or lack of it thus far whether Hernandez is truly Mookworthy yet.

Hernandez, by the way, appears to be the 42nd and final player to wear a Met jersey this year -- the fewest Met uni wearers since only 40 suited up in 1996. We had 52 last year.
 

Willie and the Boz (Feb. 26): Willie Randolph, as quoted by Bill Madden in the Daily News: "I'm gonna wear No. 12. Why? You remember Ken Boswell? Second baseman on the '69 team? He was my favorite player growing up. No. 12. It's a nice number."

We remember Ken Boswell too, and even if his sideburns might not fly in Willie's clubhouse, it speaks well of the new Met manager that he has a sense of his place in history. This is probably a natural result of the era we grew up, but 12 has always seemed more Boswellian to us than Kent-like or Alomarish. And as glorified ticket salesman Darryl Strawberry makes a grand reappearance at Shea this weekend, may it serve as a reminder of this team's horribly miscast former manager, who wore No. 18 but was no George Theodore either.

We found Madden's piece, by the way, from a link at the extraordinary new blog co-authored by veteran MBTN reader Greg -- highly recommended for fans of good writing and historical Metdom.

Mets Acquire Fregosi for Ryan (July 30): OK, maybe it's not that bad. Maybe it is! The Mets tonight pulled a series of staggering moves, gutting the farm system in exchange for two pitchers who probably won't provide the pennant the Wilpons are so hungry for but at best add stability to an aging rotation. Dealing pesos on the dollar, the Mets sent AAA catcher Justin Huber to Kansas City for third base prospect Jose Bautista, then packaged Bautista, jobless infielder Ty Wigginton, and promising righty Matt Peterson to Pittsburgh for Kris Benson, the free-agent to be, and minor-league infielder Jeff Keppinger.

Moments later we learned they'd also paid through the nose for erratic, possibly injured Devil Ray righty Victor Zambrano. All they coughed up in this deal was studly prospect Scott Kazmir and, just for the hell of it, intriguing longshot pitching prospect Joselo Diaz. Along with Zambrano came a cup-of-coffee reliever called Bartolome Fortunato, who was assigned to Norfolk.

Battles Continue (March 30): With exactly one week left before the starting gun fires, the Met pitching staff is still under construction. Another subpar outing this afternoon by Jae Seo 38 could give additional hope to one or more of Grant Roberts 36; Aaron Heilman 48; Scott Erickson 89 and Tyler Yates 33. In the bullpen, Orber Moreno 49 and Dan Wheeler 39 are looking to secure jobs.The lineup looks complete unless (or until) the starting infielders cease getting hurt.

More from St. Lucie (Feb. 29): New pitching coach Rick Peterson has been spied wearing No. 51 and Shane Spencer in 43. Among those wearing a different number than their previous appearances in a Met uniform: Pat Strange in 34 and Jeff Duncan in 10.

61* (July 24): It appears its only a matter of time before Jeff Duncan ditches the ridiculous No. 61 jersey he's been wearing since his recall from Binghamton. But the rookie outfielder told The Post on Tuesday he'd let his bosses decide: "I'm not going to say anything about [the uniform number] until they change it for me ... [but] my first preference is 12. You guys gonna help me out?" Sure, why not. Just promise not play like the last guy who wore that number.

Leiter Back (July 21): Al Leiter 22 returned from the disabled list to pitch in Sunday's debacle-to-be in Atlanta. His call-up meant a return to Norfolk for Jorge Velandia 13, who didn't play in his brief stay with the Mets.

Almonte Back (July 19) Edwin Almonte 56 was recalled today and Prentice Redman 20 was sent down without having appeared in a game.

Deck Chairs Rearranged (June 29): The Mets swapped outfielders with Norfolk on Saturday, demoting Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 and recalling Raul Gonzalez 21. On Sunday, they called back Jaime Cerda 43 and returned Jeremy Griffiths to Norfolk, yet another casualty of the dreaded No. 46.

Heilman Up: (June 28): The Mets on Thursday welcomed 2001's top draft pick, Aaron Heilman to the Big Leagues and he made his debut in No. 48. Mike Bascik 33 was demoted to make room.

Wheeler Dealers (June 18): The Mets today called up pitcher Dan Wheeler, late of the Devil Ray and Atlanta organizations, and dressed him in the unremarkable No. 39 (If Art Howe had a sense of humor, he'd surrender his uni number so we could have an 18 WHEELER -- thanks gf!). To make room they demoted pitcher Jason Roach 57, who was uh, smoked in his only appearance.

Bugged Out (June 15): The Mets debuted Jason Roach unsuccessfully on Saturday in Anaheim. Roach was issued No. 57, making him the first player ever to wear that number in a regular-season game. Pointlessly acquired X-Yankee reliever Mike Stanton 32 was meanwhile scheduled to hit the operating table.

MBTN is pleased in the meantime to welcome new GM Jim Duquette to the mix, and wish his contributions to the All-Time Roster are good ones.

Jose Reyes Era Begins (June 10): With Rey Sanchez 10 onto the disabled yet again, the Jose Reyes era is getting an early start. The heralded Met shortstop prospect will make his Major League debut tonight, a day before his 20th birthday, wearing No. 7. The Mets also also welcomed back Timo Perez 6 and returned Raul Gonzalez 21 to Norfork.

Waits: 54 (June 10) The mystery of bullpen coach Rick Waits has been solved. Waits was spied in No. 54 last night by MBTN reader Andrew. He changed shirts when Tony Clark took his 52. Update (June 28): Waits was in 54 all season, corrects MBTN coach-list keeper Jason.

Stanton, Bell return (June 6): Mike Stanton 32 and Jay Bell 44 have returned from their respective DL assignments, relegating replacements Pat Strange 38 and Marco Scutaro 26 to Norfolk.

Clark, Mr. Met settle differences (June 5) Tony Clark appeared in Thursday's doubleheader wearing No. 52, changing from 00, explaining the former belonged to mascot Mr. Met. "A lot of kids have expressed their opinion that there's only one double-zero in their heart," Clark said. That may be true today but a uniform number is a recent development for the largeheaded one, who represented for years without one. Clark in the meantime just keeps on making history: He was the first Met player to wear 00 and now, the first to wear 52.

Jeremy Griffiths also made his major league debut Thursday, wearing the dreaded No. 46.

More injury shenanigans (June 1): Two more Met vets hit the trainer's room this weekend: Mike Stanton 32 and Pedro Astacio 34. Stanton was disabled Saturday and was replaced by lefty starter Mike Bacsik 33. That move made more sense when the Mets revealed Sunday that Astacio will hit the DL. In his place, they've recalled Jeremy Griffiths, who will be making his first big-league appearance and is listed as wearing No. 65 (but would appear in 46).