So I did guest spot on a radio show the other day.

As part as the publicity around the MBTN book, I’ve done a few of these in recent months, and while I still blurt out way too many “umms” and “yaknows” it feels like I’ve actually gotten better as I’ve gone along. My gameplan for these interviews has generally been to go up there with the idea of simply putting it in play: I might drive the right question to the gap and maybe leg out the extra base, but I’m mainly up there trying not to whiff.

At the risk of taking this tortured analogy any further, it was a rough first inning in Houston. I ably handled an introduction glitch before Richard Justice of KGOW 1560 The Game (and the Houston Chronicle) surprised me with a first-pitch curve.

“What’s wrong with the Mets?” he asked.

If you listen in I mumbled something about an inconsistent offense and pitching issues that staffs typically encounter in April, but I’m not sure that’s it at all, necessarily. I mean, not all of it. The fact is this has been a remarkably average team over the last year (68-68 since last May 30, says this guy) and I’d argue that stretch of averageness actually proceeds it, goes back to September of 2006 and foretold the lethargic offense that more than anything else cost the Mets a chance to play in another World Series that year. And that resembles 2005, results-wise at least, when the Mets rested at .500 at more points than in any other year in team history but somehow looked better doing so.

So maybe that’s it. Being an OK team in a pretty good era is pretty much what they are under Willie and Omar. And while they’re capable of more the record shows early 2006 was the exception and not the rule. Their particular problems haven’t been quite the same every year, much less every night, beyond injuries and age.

When Justice got to the part about whether Randolph should be fired I pleaded pateience. Until Memorial Day, at least.

Anyway, in the interest of being better prepared next time, I put it to you readers: Tell me how you'd answer: What’s wrong with the Mets? Use the comments below.

*

Thanks to David Moore and Crooked Number for still more help with the web page, which continues to be a masterpiece in the making. You might notice that names on the player pages now read in in proper order. Mookie Wilson > Wilson, Mookie, don't you think?

*

Moises Alou is rumored to rejoin the team in time for tonight’s opener in Phoenix but until I see 18 in left field I’m not holding my breath. Not clear at this point whether Brian Schneider gets DL’ed or whatever. Not that I'm interested in starting a reputation for the guy or anything but Schneider's had three separate injuries already and his next extra-base hit will be his first. Fitting right in.

*

Cool new book review published by Baseball America (pictured above) and featured, quiz-style, in the latest issue of Mets Inside Pitch.

I was at Shea last night for the first time this year thanks to my co-writer, and now co-star in a potential future episode of Mets Weekly. We were joined by two other swell guys, and we had a great time, the Mets looked resplendent, especially with the blue hats, matching 42 jerseys (anyone other than me remember Chuck Taylor?) and no names on the back. Sweet.

Worth noting was that the scoreboard identified the players by their assigned numbers but the Shea PA announcer introduced them all as No. 42. I'll address how to integrate this event into the database when I've had some time to think about it.

I missed the announcement pre-game so I was delighted to see Duaner Sanchez trot in from the bullpen for the the 9th inning. The quietly effective Carlos Muniz was shipped back to the minors to make room. Just an all-around terrific night.

6 p.m. Tonight, we're opening for Gary Carter at Bookends in Ridewood, N.J. Thursday at 7:30, I'll discuss the Mets and baseball with Metsgrrl and Spike Vrusho (author of Benchclearing) at Word Books in Greenpoint (beer and snacks to be served)!

I was about to pontificate upon the chances of Steven Register retaining No. 61 or switching to something more dignified when word came he'd been waived by the Mets. Hopefully, the opportunity exists to work out a deal with Colorado that would allow the Mets to keep Register in the organization free of the onerous (for the Mets, at least) provisions of Rule 5.

This is good news, I believe, if you're a fan of Joe Smith, who like Register, seems groomed for a role I'll call GUPPY (GroUndball Pitcher, Perplexing deliverY -- alright, needs work). Smith however can be safely stashed at AAA so it's no lock he surfaces, at least not right away.

Similarly, looks as if suspicion over Duaner Sanchez' durability gives a shot to his hard-throwing nonroster counterpart, Brian Stokes, at least, to start the year. As for the No. 5 starter, I'm as disappointed as the next guy in Mike Pelfrey, maybe more, but I'd give him all the rope he needs. It's not like an injured Orlando Hernandez has a whole lot of upside any longer.

* In case you didn't see it, MLB.com's Marty Noble today ran his annual Port St. Lucie christening story, a sure sign Spring Training is coming to an end.

* Don't forget you're invited to the MBTN Launch Party at Stout NYC, April 6, 1pm.

Over the weekend at the NYC SABR meeting, spoke very briefly about the book, and even signed and sold a few.

The Casey Stengel chapter meeting retained its usual time-machine vibe: not so much retro as reminiscent. It’s full of guys who remember when the Dodgers and Giants were the local teams, speak with thick New York accents, and dress in sweats. As opposed to the scene at the national meeting, the presentations are decidedly low-tech and tend to focus more sharply on history than on cutting-edge analysis, although many members seem conversant in that language too. It would be great to see more young people get involved in this group, I’d be happy to tell you how.

A highlight for me was hearing some great authors speak. Michael Shapiro, whose THE LAST GOOD SEASON not only tells a suspenseful story of a great pennant race but dares to set the record straight on the Dodgers’ fateful move to California, was especially engaging and afterward signed a beaten-up copy of his book I’d remembered to take along. My brief talk was as part of a panel that included Tony Morante and Al Santasiere, who put together a handsome coffee table book on the history of Yankee Stadium; and Greg Spira, who co-edited MEET THE METS with my co-writer, Matthew Silverman, who was also there selling books. Morante, who has led tours through Yankee Stadium for nearly 30 years, wore a Yankees World Series ring the size of my wristwatch.

I also enjoyed schmoozing with attendees including Steve and Pedro from On the Sportlines; Michael Cesarano, who knows a few things about Mets uniforms; Andrew Schiff, author of a new biography of Henry Chadwick I brought home with me; and Dana Brand, who traded me his book, METS FAN, even-up for mine. I opened up Dana’s book on a bus ride to the in-laws immediately after the meeting, and almost felt like a thief.

More hobnobbing to come when Matt Silverman and I host a “launch party” for Mets by the Numbers Sunday April 6 at Stout NYC in Manhattan. The party is an informal get-together timed to coincide with the Mets-Braves game from Atlanta that afternoon. We’ll have copies on the book on-hand and available to sign. I'd love to meet some of the regular reader/contributors to the web site, hope you can come by.

If you're in New York this Saturday, don't forget to check out the SABR meeting, where I'll be doing a short presentation and then signing books with co-author Matt Silverman. There's a small admission fee, but its more than worth it to be involved. There's usually some stuff for collectors, plenty of baseball books (and writers) on hand, there's an impossible trivia contest and interesting presentations. And fewer pocket-protectors than you would think. 10 a.m. at the Mid-Mahattan Library at 5th Ave. & 40th.

Thanks to readers Kevin and John who informed me of some minor errors in the player profiles they'd come across (Benny Agbayani, Ron Taylor, Vince Coleman and a few others). The new format fortunately makes these things very easy to fix, so don't hesitate to inform me if something looks goofy. The majority of these "player views" by the way are nothing much to look at yet, but I'll be adding to them gradually. Some include photos and/or brief bios already.

Meanwhile in Metland, how about a round of applause for handsome young Fernando Martinez, who was reassigned to minor league camp but had little to be ashamed of, leaving behind a mark of .340/.373/.426, with four doubles and just seven whiffs in 47 spring training at-bats wearing No. 67. MBTN reader Kevin, yes, the same one looking up Vince Coleman, suggests turning speculation over what number F-Mart wears when/if he returns in the regular season into a game. This of course is a great idea.

In the comments section below, please submit your guess as to what number will be issued to Fernando Martinez upon his regular-season debut with the Mets. Keep in mind this exercise may require you to further speculate as to the time (or year, even) at which he arrives so as far as I'm concerned all number guesses are valid. I'll try to keep track and offer a prize (how about a signed book?) to the winner.

Currently, you needn't be logged in to comment, but it may aid in tracking you down in the event you win. Politic all you want, but be a sportsman and enter just once.

Word also today that along with a few of the longer shots (Joselo Diaz, Nate Field, etc.) chubby veteran pinch-hitting hopeful Olmedo Seanz was assigned to minor league camp. Could a guy who wears No. 93 (Brady Clark) make the team? Just might. A trade could very well be in the works as well.

The following events and appearances are scheduled around the release of the Mets by the Numbers book:

Wed., April 16, 6-8 p.m.: Bookends, Ridgewood, N.J.
Signing books with Matthew Silverman at a event that's simultaneously hosting Hall of Famer Gary Carter and his new book, Still a Kid at Heart; Former Booklyn Dodger George Suba, author of My Memories as a Brooklyn Dodger; and Dan Reilly, author of The Original Mr. Met Remembers. Details here.

Thurs., April 17, 7:30 p.m.: Baseball Authors Event at Word Books, Brooklyn
Appearing with Spike Vrusho, author of BENCHCLEARING: Baseball's Greatest Fights and Riots; and hosted by Caryn Rose of Metsgrrl, at my local indy bookstore here in Greenpoint (Franklin & Milton Streets). Beer and CrackerJacks to be served!

***

Past events

Sat., March 15, 2 p.m.: WFUV 90.7 Radio
Spent 10 minutes stammering through m y first ever live interview on FUV's legendary One-On-One radio program. You can stream the archive at their website (when available).

Wed., March 19, ~9:40 p.m.: SPORTSTALKNY Webcast

Sat., March 22, 10 a.m.: SABR Casey Stengel Chapter annual meeting, Mid-Manhattan Library

Sat., April 5, 3 p.m.: Book discussion and signing, Barnes & Noble, Bayside Queens
With co-writer Matthew Silverman. Mets-Braves starts at 4 -- great timing! 23-80 Bell Blvd. (at 26th Ave.) in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center

Sun., April 6, 1p.m.: Mets by the Numbers LAUNCH PARTY at Stout NYC
Come out for an informal, meet-and-greet with me, co-author Matthew Silverman, and other distinguished guests while we watch the Mets take on the Braves at Stout NYC, a terrific, spacious Irish sports bar on 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Aves in Manhattan. Buy a book, or get yours signed, or just have a beer!

The official release date for the Mets by the Numbers book came Saturday. As clearly illustrated at left, it's better and more important than Freakonomics. No really, that's a short stack of signed copies you can find, while they last, at the Customer Service desk at the Forest Hills Barnes & Noble, 70-00 Austin St. Thanks Pat! Regular, unscribbled-in copies should be in the sports section upstairs.

We're at work planning a few events around the book release including a launch party and signing appearances in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan (so far) which we'll inform you of as they're scheduled. If you'd like to schedule an appearance in your hood, please let me know.

Co-writer Matt Silverman is currently spreading the gospel down in Port St. Lucie; I'm heading to Fort Lauderdale first thing Tuesday where I'll see the Mets play the O's Saturday, but mainly just taking a short break. We'll be back Sunday with more dynamite celebrity interviews. In the meantime, I'm happy to pass along this link from my friend Greg of Faith & Fear in Flushing, who makes a pretty strong argument for why you should buy this book, and why you shouldn't hire me.

* Matthew Silverman, who co-wrote the Mets by the Numbers book, has launched his own website where he discusses Mets stuff and sells Mets books. Visit Metsilverman.com

* Speaking of Matt, our book is in stores now: I saw some in Barnes & Noble the other day myself. It's also gotten a few nice notices from Ron Kaplan's Baseball Bookshelf; Ken Davidoff of Newsday; and Overdue Books.

* Our friend Jacqueline reappeared to propel Rami into the final on Project Runway tonight.

* We neglected to mention the fabulous Shea Stadium Doomsday Clock along the column to the left. That came from the great Loge13.

*Oh yes, the Mets played an exhibition game today in Lakeland. Mike Pelfrey pitched well, but Willie Collazo did not, and we lost 4-2.

I've enlisted Todd Hundley and Gregg Jefferies here to help celebrate the 9th birthday of Mets by the Numbers. (see a broken-linked proto-page from our rookie year of 1999 here. Go, Terrence Long!)

As I've recounted previously, the site when it launched was sort of a personal project to see whether it was possible for a fan (me) to remember the uniform number of every player who ever played for the Mets. Of course, it wasn't. I in fact wasn't even close to rememering every player who played for the Mets.

Fortunately for me, right around the time I was putting together this page for the first time, the Internet had sprouted another data-driven Mets site, the Ultimate Mets Database. Subsequent discussions with UMDB's creator indicate our sites couldn't have launched more than a few weeks apart at the most. With help from that starting point, and later, a small audience of devoted followers, we eventually got our act together, but as Wes Westrum might say, it was real cliff dweller.

As we'd been expecting to see, hitting coach Howard Johnson has cashiered No. 52 and returned to the No. 20 jersey he last wore as a Met player 15 years ago. Bullpen coach Guy Conti in the meantime switches from 56 to 52, allowing bullpen pitcher Juan Lopez to take 56. We hadn't nailed down Lopez previously.

Bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello in the meantime was spotted wearing 54, as noted below, and catching instructor Sandy Alomar Jr. has slipped into No. 90. These changes have been added to the handy clip-n-save Spring Training Roster above. Many thanks to Bryan, David, Chris and other commenters for the updates.

Big thanks also to MetsGrrl for pointing out how difficult it was to get in touch -- turns out I'd mistakenly "turned off" the contact link. Duh.