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.

Mets Make History

No they didn’t make it to 11 straight wins but as first pointed out in the comments section below the Mets on Friday ran out an all-odd starting lineup for what we believe to be the first time in their 46-year history.

7 Reyes SS

9 Anderson LF

5 Wright 3B

15 Beltran CF

3 Easley 2B

21 Delgado 1B

17 Tatis RF

23 Schneider C

33 Maine P

They’d been toying with this accomplishment frequently this season, particularly with Alou unavailable, and were heretofore held back mainly by the presence of Endy Chavez in the starting 9 (or starts by Pelfrey or Perez).
Fittingly, this milestone — rarer even than an extra-base hit by Brian Schneider — was achieved only after replacing even manager Willie Randolph with an odd successor in Jerry Manuel.

And with that taken care of, we can focus on regaining first place.

Cancel That Update

40The Mets prior to Friday’s game recalled catcher Robinson Cancel (again) and designated Chris Aguila for assignment (again). This facilitates more pinch-hitting opportunities for Ramon Castro but invited a new uni controversy as Cancel returns only to find the No. 4 jersey occupied by twitchy new infielder Argenis Reyes. Reyes appeared in the game wearing 4 — and readers Rich and Zach report seeing Cancel warming up Muiniz in the bullpen wearing No. 40 (“guess they FINALLY gave up on Burgos wearing a Jersey anytime soon,” sez Rich). Cancel would become the first position player to wear 40 since the infamous Tony Tarasco in 2002. Most recently, 40 was exchanged between Brian Bannister to Ambiorix Burgos when they were exchanged for one another. Seven in a row, and once again, we prevailed vs. the other guy’s ace. Willie was right after all — these guys are all winners! Sorry to hear about Bob Klapisch: Maybe not the favorite writer of Mets fans, but his Worst Team Money Can Buy is the prematurely definitive story of a sorry era in Mets history, and probably more interesting today than it was back then, if only as a relic of Old Media.

For Our Next Number

Not to turn this into a cultural omniblog, but thought I’d point out this new song and album from The Baseball Project, a collection of baseball-related rock and/or roll from “supergroup” collaboration of acclaimed msucians from REM (that’s Peter Buck on bass), the Dream Syndicate and the Young Fresh Fellows. Their album is out this week.

Now back to our irregularly scheduled programming.

Oddfellows Local

Sure to be buried in discussion of their second straight shutout, destined to get less attention than two ridiculousy unnecessary and counterproductive sacrifice bunts, and with the Yankees all the way to third place, tough to crack the papers at all, so thought it’d be worth pointing out the fact that tonight’s starting Mets lineup was 8/9ths odd:

7 Jose Reyes, SS
10 Endy Chavez, RF
5 David Wright, 3B
15 Carlos Beltran, CF
3 Damian Easley, 2B
21 Carlos Delgado, 1B
17 Fernando Tatis, LF
11 Ramon Castro, C
57 Johan Santana, P

That’s the oddest lineup I’d come across since we last raised the subject and found an 8-men odd lineup from May 20, 2004:

57 Eric Valent, LF
25 Kaz Matsui, SS
31 Mike Piazza, 1B
43 Shane Spencer, CF
20 Karim Garcia, RF
23 Jason Phillips, C
27 Todd Zeile, 3B
9 Ty Wigginton, 2B
29 Steve Trachsel, P

Oddly enough (get it?!) the right fielder in both lineups provides the only even number.  It’s entirely possible I overlooked an odder starting nine at some point this year — the current personnel leave almost no chance for an even starting squad, but as always if you happen find occurrances such as this — also, all-ascending or all-descending lineups, so rare I’ve found none in 46 years — you know where to send it. Gary Cohen may be aware of the two-sixes controversy, but it’s not like Big Media is on this story yet.

* * *

Roster move: Tony Armas to the disabled list, Carlos Muniz back up again.

Here We Go Again

Ryan Church is headed back to the DL, and Nick Evans has been recalled.

If you’re following the numbers you’ll know this creates a minor controversy in that Evans number the last time he was up — 6 — belongs currently to Trot Nixon. But as spied on tonight’s telecast, Evans was back in No. 6. While the prospect of this issue coming to a head upon Nixon’s return to the team is unlikely — you’d figure Evans would be the first in line for demotion when Trot is eligible to return following the All-Star Break — but with Chris Aguila and Argenis Reyes hanging around, and Marlon Anderson barely hanging on to his pinch-hitting role, it’s no sure thing.

While commenters below have pointed out that Evans and Nixon could conceivably share a number, I figure the Mets would ask one or the other to consider other availables: 8(will they ever get to Gary Carter Day?); 12 (most recently belonging to Willie Randolph); 16 (another disabled outfielder, Angel Pagan); 22 (nominally still awaiting a return of Jose Valentin); 32 (recently demoted pitcher Carlos Muniz). Perhaps 43?

Anyway, get well already, Churchy.

* * *

The below post suggested the series in Philadelphia over the weekend could reveal much about the Mets, and most of it was good, even if the opener on July 4 had me mentally throw in the towel, at least for the time being. They have an opportunity now to make hay right into the break and for the first time they look like they’re capable. I mean, they convincingly beat a team that was worse then them for the first time in months.

Touching Base

The Mets saved their season with two great wins this weekend after nearly burning it all away Friday.

Quick note to point out Jesse Spector’s Touching Base Column in the Daily News Sunday, which did a nice job on the proliferation of Mets No. 6s. Also, a reminder that I will be at the Queens Library in Flushing tonight (Monday, July 7), around 6 p.m., to speak about the Mets, baseball and writing with Greg Spira, co-editor of Meet the Mets. 41-17 Main Street, (718) 661-1200.

Just in case the AL needs to win home-field advantage in the late innings, Billy Wagner will be representing the Mets at the All-Star game. Has there been a more unlikeable Met than Wags? Or is it just me?

Four Play

Late in tonight’s satisfying blowout over the wretched St. Louis Cardinals, Argenis Reyes made his Mets debut wearing the No. 4 jersey most recently belonging to chubby backup catcher Robinson Cancel. Reyes, a singles-hitting middle infielder and a veteran of the Cleveland farm system, had a nice first spring training with the Mets and gets an opportunity while Luis Castillo rests up a quad or something on the disabled list.

Arriving along with Reyes was outfielder Chris Aguila, swapped in for reliever Carlos Muniz, still smarting from Troy Glaus’ game-ending home run Wednesday night.

Aguila, interestingly, is back in the same No. 29 jersey he wore in his brief appearance last month; the Mets had since issued 29 to Andy Phillips, whom they claimed on waivers from Cincinnati a week ago, designated for assignment on Monday, and, we learned today, subsequently lost back to the Reds on a waiver claim.

So, after a 2-2 split in the four-gamer in St. Louis, the Mets arrive in Brotherly Lovetown Friday to for more fourplay: This may (or may not) say something about where the team is headed.

Toe, Knee, Arm, Ass

After a solid half-season rehabbing his career in AAA, the Mets rewarded Tony Armas with his first big-league appearance of the year. Tonight’s start in St. Louis (off to a shaky start as I write) is designed to provide a bit of rest for a stretched-out rotation, after which it is expected Armas will stay with the club filling the long-relief role previously filled by Claudio Vargas, Nelson Figueroa and Jorge Sosa. Armas appears tonight in No. 44 — the same jersey he wore this spring that was later issued to Brady Clark when Clark when the trip north and Armas did not.

Leave it Greg Prince of Faith & Fear in Flushing to point out the last time No. 44 appeared on the back of a Mets pitcher it was the Mercury Mets and Jason Isringhausen — who made his last appearance for the Mets wearing that jersey in July of 1999. That and a lot more.

Meantime, MBTN reader Paul C., aka King Of All Screen Capturers, delivers the above image of Isringhausen’s unique Mercury Mets look — condensed fonts don’t exist in the future, doncha know.

To make room for Armas the Mets designated infielder Andy Phillipsfor assignment — easy come, easy go — and are gambling a short bench won’t bite them in the butt before Moises Alou makes a return. Yes, they’re counting on that again. Yes, the Met offense is collapsing under the anticipation of his return once again.

Talkin’ baseball: Join me in Flushing this coming Monday, July 7, as I appear along with Greg Spira, co-editor of Meet the Mets, in a discussion about the Mets, baseball, books and anything else. We will have books for sale and/or signature (including Matt Silverman’s Mets Essential and 100 Things), and afterward, I’ll be happy to join you for a beer to watch the Mets-Phillies game.

Details: 6 p.m., Monday July 7 at the Queens Library — Flushing , 41-17 Main Street, (718) 661-1200.