Once again, Jim Duquette got his man, overcoming heavy competition and filling a gaping hole in center field by signing Mike Cameron to a 3-year deal. Cameron is likely to suit up in No. 44 for the Mets, digits most recently belonging to the mercifully retired Jay Bell, as well as former Met center fielders Jay Payton, Ryan Thompson and John Cangelosi.
Author: Jon Springer
Jon Springer is a writer in Brooklyn. Mets by the Numbers began as a goof in 1998, later became a book, then went back to being a goof.
All Sevens: The Matsui Situation
(updated) Kazuo Matsui met the press this afternoon and tried on his jersey — in a surprise, No. 25. That shirt was most recently worn by coach Don Baylor, who took it from Scott Strickland over last offseason.
Rumors persist that Kazuo Matsui will take Jose Reyes’ position on the field. Will he also take the shirt off his back? Matsui, the Seibu Lions shortstop who this offseason became the object of Fred Wilpon’s questionable intrigue, has said in interviews that he’d prefer to sign with a team on which he could wear his customary No. 7 jersey. That number, of course, was issued to Reyes way back in spring training of 2002 and was reserved until his big-league arrival last summer. Considering the bend-over-backwardsness and drama with which the Mets have pursued Matsui thus far, the guess here is that the Japanese free agent winds up not only with Reyes’ hard-won position but his digit as well. But here’s a suggestion for the marketing department: Leave Reyes in 7, and give Matsui 77. The Made-For-Photo-Ops middle-infield would be complete.
Switchblade
Researching 1975, we recently came across the Met debut of lefty reliever Tom Hall. “The Blade” was acquired from the Reds in an early-season trade and joined the Mets in St. Louis on April 16 where he pitched two innings of scoreless relief while wearing road uniform No. 42 (Ron Hodges, for whom the Mets had likely been carrying the 42 jersey, was doing a minor-league tour then). When the Mets returned home two days later, Hall was issued No. 19, which he wore for the rest of his year-plus Met tenure.
Hot Stove is Lit
After officially naming Jim Duquette the team’s GM the Duke’s first order of new business was to name Rick Peterson, late of the Athletics, as the Mets new pitching coach. Peterson wrore No. 46 last year in Oakland, but that’s no guarantee of his digits here.
Talks begin this week on players the Mets may acquire. Among those romantically linked to the Mets thus far include centerfielder Mike Cameron (No. 44 on your Mariners’ scorecard); closers Billy Koch of the White Sox (44) and Keith Foulke of Oakland (29); and from Japan, infielders Kazuo Matsui and Tadahito Iguchi (both of whom wear No. 7). Stay tuned (or logged in, or whatever) throughout the Hot Stove season: More updates as they come!
Vern Ruhled Out
The Mets following the season announced the whacking of pitching coach Vern Ruhle 53 but have not yet named a replacement. Stay here throughout 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
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.
Well, we wish the dubious new Mets luck anyhow. Glavine is wearing No. 27 (formerly the property of Met/Norfolk teammate Jason Middlebrook); and Watson wears No. 50. Watson by the way is also the latest link in the Ed Hearn Trade Chain.
Rookie Roundup
Roster expansion plus the scary injury to Jose Reyes promises some more new names and numbers at Shea this September. On Monday the callups began when Jeremy (Big Red) Griffiths 46 was recalled and Norfolk closer Orber Moreno summoned for the first time. Moreno was dressed in the No. 49 jersey left behind byArmando Benitez. After Monday’s win the Mets recalled Prentice Redman 20; Jaime Cerda 43 and Edwin Almonte 56 and for the first time, second-base prospect Danny Garcia, who got his first start (and hit) on Tuesday in Roberto Alomar’s former No. 12.
The Mets have also recalled Jorge Velandia 13.
Anderson Arrives
Jason Anderson, one of three pitchers the Mets received earlier this year in the Armando Benitez trade, was recalled from Norfolk Thursday, and when he makes his first appearance will become the 26th man to wear No. 17 for the Mets, pulling that number into a three-way tie with 11 and 34 as the second-most issued in team history (No. 6 leads with 27 issues). Prentice Redman 20 was sent back to Norfolk to make room.
A-Prentice No More
The Mets recalled outfielder Prentice Redman from Norfolk over the weekend and he made his Major League debut in Sunday’s win over Los Angeles. Redman, who was summoned to the bigs earlier this year but did not play, becomes the 20th man to wear No. 20 in Met history. Jaime Cerda 43 was demoted to make room.
Achilles Last Stand
Well, the most anticipated trip to the disabled list of the year finally begins tonight when gimpy-but-brave outfielder Cliff Floyd 30 gets some much-needed work on his troublesome right achilles tendon. Jeff Duncan, still wearing No. 61, takes his place on the roster. The achilles tendon injury holds special meaning for MBTN and we wish Cliff lots of luck during the hours of tedious physical therapy to come.