Thanks to readers Gene and Matt for pointing it out.

Should Bannister wish to pay tribute to his dad Floyd, a cursory check through the baseball cards reveals he wore Nos. 19 and 38 in his career: Neither is available except in the case Heath Bell fails to make the roster or is traded -- both possibilities we've read in the last week. Perhaps too, numbers don't matter particularly to Bannister: It appears he wore 25 in Binghamton and 43 at Norfolk; 17 with Team USA and oddly, 3 at USC.

On Jan. 18, the Mets signed former Ham Fighter and Tokyo Giant Yusaku Iriki (You're So Fine), who looks to compete for the longman job. Iriki wore No. 49 with the Ham Fighters and No. 20 with the Giants, research shows.

We overlooked the late December addition of lefty sidearmer Mike Venafro. He has a minor league contract and spring training invite.

Photos from the Mets Caravan revealed players in new unis including Julio Franco in 23, Paul LoDuca in 16 and Jose Valentin in 18. Newly arrived reliever Jorge Julio was wearing a jersey with no number on it. MBTN reader Rich reports: Chad Bradford appeared in No. 35, Duaner Sanchez in 40, and Mets.com is selling Bret Boone jerseys bearing No. 9.

Additional photos show Xavier Nady wearing No. 10 and Steve Schmoll in the dreaded No. 46.

New Year Updates (Jan. 4, 2006): Met fans were wondering again today whether Omar Minaya can be trusted at a swap meet, giving up underappreciated starter Jae Seo 26, along with lefty reliever Tim Hamulack 46, in a trade for goggle-wearing Duaner Sanchez and his sidearm-throwing teammate, Steve Schmoll, both righthanded relievers for the Dodgers. We wish the best of luck to Seo, whose frequent bobs between New York and Norfolk resulted in three uniform numbers (he also wore 38 and 40). In case you're also wondering, Sanchez wore No. 50 and Schmoll No. 40 in Chavez Latrine last season.

The Mets also invited veteran second baseman Bret Boone to camp with a minor league deal. Boone was released twice last year but according to Omar "knows how to win," and will challenge incumbent Kaz Matsui for a job. Boone most often has worn No. 29.

Catching up with more winter moves, the Mets on Dec. 28 agreed to a one-year deal for freaky underhanded relief pitcher Chad Bradford, a hero of Moneyball and most recently, a patient with the Red Sox team doctors. He wore No. 53 for both teams.

On Dec. 23, former Met outfield prospect Endy Chavez was signed to a one-year deal. Chavez wore No. 19 with Expo-Nationals and 47 when he was traded to Philadelphia late last year.

The Mets also released maddening lefthander Kaz Ishii 23, and invited journeymen Darren Oliver, Jose Parra and Pedro Feliciano to camp. We last saw Parra and Feliciano in Met uniforms 46 and 55, respectively, in 2004 (unless we vacationed in Japan in 2005).

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.

Vern Ruhled Out (Oct. 8): The Mets following the season announced the whacking of pitching coach Vern Ruhle 53 but have not yet named a replacement. Stay here thoughout the Hot Stove season for updates on Mets moves and the uni numbers they'll be coughing up and dealing out!

Nepotism and Cheating: The Metly Way (Sept. 13) The Mets on Friday added two new left-handed hitters to their roster: Outfielder Matt Watson and infielder Mike Glavine. The latter is of course the kid brother of the disappointing Met hurler, and his pedestrian performance as a backup in Norfolk was easily overlooked by an organization run by Wilpon & Son. Watson, who at least can be considered worthy of a look, is coming off a shameful Rookie-ball "rehab assignment" that -- imagine! -- just happened to coincide with the Cyclones' playoff appearance.

Cliff-Hanger: (Dec. 23) The Mets today introduced Cliff Floyd to the press and presented him with the seldomly issued No. 30 jersey. Floyd becomes just the 12th man in team history to be issued No. 30; the number owes its unpopularity not to any longtime wearers but a to 10-year gap between Mike Torrez in 1984 and Doug Linton in 1994. Jorge Luis Toca was the most recent occupant.

On Friday 12/20, came word that third baseman Norihiro Nakamura isn't coming after all. No word on how many NAKAMURA 5 jerseys went into the incinerator.

Welcome, Yankee Refuse: (Dec. 16) The Mets today signed ex-Yankee and ex-Brave Mike Stanton to a frighteningly long 3-year contract. Stanton is familiar to New Yorkers as the lefty who wore No. 29 for Satan's Minions. His arrival seems to portend a conflict with the current 29, Met starter Steve Trachsel. Dec. 18 Update: Stanton posed for photographs today wearing a No. 32 jersey.

Komiyama down, Roberts back: (June 30) With Grant Roberts 36 returning from the disabled list, the Mets sent struggling reliever Satoru Komiyama 17 to Norfolk. Kiomiyama is expected to start in AAA.

Corey burns out, Cerda arrives: (June 29) After suffering a bizzarre late-night freak-out later diagnosed as an acute attack of The Munchies, reliever Mark Corey 27 will sort out his problems on the disabled list. In his place the Mets called up Jaime Cerda, who made an impressive Major League debut last night against the Yankees. Cerda was issued jersey No. 43.

Roberts to DL, Corey back: (June 14) Grant Roberts 36, one of the few nice surprises of the 2002 season, went to the 15-day DL with a sore shoulder. Continuing to overlook the crying need for a right-handed pinch-hitter, the Mets instead recalled Mark Corey 27 to take his place.

Chambliss in as Hitting Coach: (June 14) Hitting coach Dave Engel 53 became the first casualty of the Mets' poor start, getting the axe early this week. The Mets then named former Yankee hero/coach Chris Chambliss to the role. Chambliss, treated poorly by his former wretched franchise, looks OK to us in No. 51.

Tarasco Up, Johnson designated for assignment: (June 3): The Mets in a seemingly curious move today called up outfielder Tony Tarasco 40 from Norfolk and designated Mark Johnson 20 for assignment (hopefully that assignment is a simple visit to Norfolk). The move comes a few days after bench power was restored when John Valentin 4 returned from the disabled list and Ty Wigginton 9 was sent back to the Tides.

Bobby is Back: (May 25) Lefthander Bobby Jones was called up to the Mets on Friday while Mark Corey 27 was sent back and news arrived that Kane Davis 48 would be on the disabled list longer than anticipated. Jones last pitched for the Mets early in the 2000 season. Then as now, he wears No. 21.

Hi, Ty: (May 16) The Mets placed John Valentin 4 on this disabled list today and called up youngster Ty Wigginton from Norfolk to take his place. Wigginton made his Major League debut wearing No. 9.

Corey Returns: (May 13): The Mets today sent Kane Davis 48 to the 15-day disabled list and recalled Mark Corey from Norfolk. Corey appeared briefly last season wearing No. 27 and is wearing the same jersey this year.

Still More (Jan. 22): The rebuilding Mets have officially surpassed MBTN's ability to keep up the changes, but here goes another round.

The newly acquired Pedro Astacio was issued jersey No. 34.

The massive 11-player trade with Colorado and Milwaukee looks like this:

* Jeromy Burnitz was No. 5 in his first go-round with the Mets -- that's free now with Shinjo gone. However, he wore No. 20 in Milwaukee, which currently belongs to Mark Johnson, who, ironically, is also a former Met No. 5.

* Lou Collier was 16 in Milwaukee -- available.

* Mark Sweeney was No. 33 with Milwaukee -- available now that Donne Wall is gone.

* Craig House was a 48 in Colorado -- available and a potential straight-up uni swap for Glendon Rusch.

* Jeff D'Amico was No. 13 with Milwaukee -- which indicates he's quirky and will be hunting for a new number soon, if Edgardo Alfonzo has anything to say about it.

* With Lenny Harris gone, it is quite possible Roger Cedeno will take the now-vacant No. 19. (see below)