The Times reports this morning that former Mets manager Joe Frazier passed away at age 88. Frazier was a longtime organization man promoted to succeed Yogi Berra following the 1975 season. His 1976 Mets won 86 games, but he was not prepared to deal with the tumultuousness between the players and the front office that erupted with dawn of free agency and was replaced early in the 1977 season by one of his own players, Joe Torre. RIP Joe.
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Joe Frazier
Izzy Really
As if the Mets needed more proof that $15 million and an easy looming option clause aren’t necessary requirements to furnish a bullpen this year or next, Jason Isringhausenthis week walked in off the street and landed a minor-league contract with the Mets. I’m happy to see Izzy back, even if he’s a long shot, because it never hurt anyone to have a Plan B or C with a little experience hanging around, especially one with Met heritage. With No. 44 assigned to Jason Bay, Izzy slipped on a No. 45 jersey and said all the right things about John Franco, but in the event he breaks camp, as unlikely as it seems, it might be best for all parties involved if some jersey swapping occurs.
Let’s start with the fact that Izzy’s had only one other number in his career — 29 — but he gave it up for 44 before he ever appeared in a Mets game. He wore 44 so as to remind himself — and show others — that he was a 44th round draft pick. And it’s the only number he’s worn ever since. Bay on the other hand had zero equity in 44 until traded to the Red Sox — that episode of his career will look like a blip on his baseball card when it’s all over — and he left that team for the Mets. And if anyone could use a change of fortune it’s Bay.
(See Matt’s comments below for a counterpoint on Bay).
Pitchers, Catchers, Outfielders, First Basemen, etc.
As you probably heard somewhere, the Mets are assembling in St. Lucifer right now in anticipation of the first workouts of spring training. I can tell because my copy of the Maple Street Press 2011 Mets Annual arrived at my home yesterday, and ought to be at area newsstands any minute now. Greg Spira and Matthew Silverman, who handle the heavy lifting for this book, do a great job as always setting an overarching editorial theme — FRESH START — and soliciting contributions to cover it from many angles.I offer a peice examining the Mets’ fickle posture on free agency over the years, and its ramifications both good and bad. Other writers will take you into the Mets’ minor league system, introduce you to the celebrity eggheads in the front office, look back at the 25th anniversary of 1986, and more. You can order the book at the MSP website or look for it at area retail stores. It’s editors, writers and other Met fans are gathering for a Mets viewing party and reading April 5 at the former Bobby Vee’s in Corona.
On the subject of self-promotion, the nice folks at The Happy Recap had me on their weekly radio show the other night. We discussed uniforms, numbers and my bold comparison of Darryl Strawberry to Mickey Mantle (in an emotional sense). The link to the webcast is here, I come on near the 22:00 mark and hang out for 15 minutes or so (just load the 2/13 link).
It’s likely this week that we’ll see how the Mets tackle the No. 55 logjam, with both Chris Young and coach Ken Oberkfell assigned those digits according to Mets records. In the meantime, nonroster invitees Kirk Nieuwenhuis (72), Willie Harris (22), Jason Pridie (20), Kai Gronauer (71), John Lujan (69 – really?) and Tobi Stoner (61) have been assigned new numbers. Pridie’s assignment puts a potential cap on Ike Davis’s potential switch to No. 20 — a move that would also free up Stoner’s former No. 29, as unlikely as it seems.
Hu’s the Boss
Interesting update passed along by reader Nick in the comments for the post below: Chin-Lung Hu was assigned No. 17 yesterday, but is listed in No. 25 today. In between, there was some of the typical hand-wringing that accompanies every issue of No. 17 to the Koos, Limas, Lloyds and Appiers of the world, while, by contrast, No. 8 has been mothballed since 2002 in deference to Gary Carter’s enshrinement in Cooperstown.
Could this be a signal that Kevin Kierst, the Mets’ new equipment manager, will take a different route than his disgraced predecessor,Charlie Samuels? It couldn’t hurt if it was.
While I’ve never been a strong advocate of retiring numbers (I think the Mets’ cautious stance on this issue is more or less on the mark) I’d be against retiring 8 while also not retiring 17, particularly as Hernandez’ stature among fans has grown as his broadcasting career has flourished while Carter’s star dimmed amid the feeling that he was a plotting gloryhound with an appetite for a managerial coup. The issue then of course is what to do with 16 and 18, which is why the less-is-more approach is something I’ve always been behind.
That said, the wanton reissuing of 17 — aside from conforming to Met tradition before Hernandez came along — is wrong as well. I’ve long advocated that the Mets save those numbers that might otherwise be retired and issue them to players who would do them proud. I’d put Josh Thole in 8 and Ike Davis in 17 tomorrow. Hu — who like Kelvin Torve assuredly wants no part in a numerical controversy — is scheduled to meet the press tomorrow.
Rafael Arroyo, by the way, was removed from the list of coaches today.
What Sammy Can’t Drive
Quick note to report the Mets have assigned a few more numbers. Chris Young will wear No. 55, becoming the first non-coach in 55 since Pedro Feliciano recieved it in a trade for Sha
wn Estes. Scott Hairston will wear No. 12 his digits in San Diego last year.
Also assigned numbers today are NRIs: Russ Adams (4); Ryota Igarashi (18); Raul Chavez (19); Willie Harris (22); Blaine Boyer (23); Boof Bonser (27); Tim Byrdak (40); Taylor Tankersley (47); Michael O’Connor (50) and Dusty Ryan (62).
Rafael, We Hardly Knew Ye
Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone? Like for instance Rafael Arroyo. Even though I was vaguely aware of the Mets’ bullpen catcher last year, I’d never created a record for him here, and so his year as only the fourth man in team history to wear No. 58 went sadly unacknowledged. That was until the other day when I updated the spring roster for the first time and two sharp-eyed readers let me on what I’d missed. First, Jason pointed out that I’d forgotten to add him. Separately, Conor directed me to a missive from Met beat writer Adam Rubin, suggesting that Arroyo in fact had been fired, even though his number still appears on the Mets’ official roster.
I found out that latter piece by the way within the first moments I’d established a presence on Twitter, as I’m finally coming around to realize it might be worth the additional competition for my attention to be engaged in the stream of rapid-fire discussion and news that’s been pretty much going on without me for years now. You can find me observing the talk and passing along updates on the Mets (and maybe other stuff too) at Springer66. Feel free to follow and tell your friends.
Arroyo was a young veteran of the Mets’ system. Drafted in the 26th round of the 2004 draft out of Cal State-L.A., Arroyo spent six years up and down the Mets system, from Kingsport to Hagerstown to St. Lucie to Binghamton to Buffalo, but never exceeding the the .258/.425/.460 line he put up over 42 games at Rookie League Kingsport in ’04. He was released but subsequently named as a second bullpen catcher during spring training last year. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 175-pounds, Arroyo was a star at Monroe High in North Hills, Calif., and came up through a program that found scholarships for inner-city L.A. kids. According to Rubin, the Mets sent Arroyo to shadow Oliver Perez while the unloved lefty tried working out his problems in the Mexican League this winter only to inform him that he’d lost his job upon his return (if only it was the other way around). It’s not clear whether these moves Rubin reported are complete and/or official yet, and we’ll try and remember to update it when we know.
Two web sites are counting down days to pitchers & catchers with a Met-numerical countdown: Mets Today, which also recently had a note on the MBTN book that was nice to see; as well as Amazin Avenue. These remind me it’s the time of year we try and tidy up the place around here as we head toward our 12th birthday and are sparking some personal interest in the Mets again after coming to realize just how much the Jerry Manuel Era managed to take out of me. That and the Jets loss.
More to come!
Batter Up
Hey, check it out! The Mets issued a new roster loaded with new numbers. Interesting additions include Ronny Paulino wearing No. 9; Chin-Lung Hu at 17; pitchers Taylor Buchholz (33) Chris Capuano 38 although we argued for 47); and D.J. Carrasco on track to become the first No. 77 in Mets history. A group of contenders for roster slots is as usual dressed in the 60s, and the coaching staff includes new numbers for Dave Hudgens (52); Mookie Wilson (53 – really?); Ken Oberkfell (55); Jon Debus (56); and bullpen catcher Rafael Arroyo (58).
Still anticipating new issues for pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Scott Hairston, the latest additions to the squad, as well as uniforms for non-roster invitees: Pitchers Boof Bonser, Taylor Tankersley and Michael O’Connor; infielder Russ Adams; and outfielder Willie Harris. Pitcher Ryota Igarashi, who was dropped from the 40-man roster and waived earlier this winter, is not listed with the NRIs but we’d expect to see him in 18 at camp. Ike Davis is still listed in 29, but 20 is vacant, so watch that space.
Current numerical roster (recent additions in bold):
1 Luis Castillo, 2B
2 Justin Turner, 2B
3 Luis Hernandez, INF
4 Vacant
5 David Wright, 3B
6 Nick Evans, OF
7 Jose Reyes, SS
8 Vacant
9 Ronny Paulino, C
10 Terry Collins, manager
11 Ruben Tejada, INF
12 Vacant
13 Mike Nickeas, C
14 Retired
15 Carlos Beltran, OF
16 Angel Pagan, OF
17 Chin-Lung Hu, INF
18 Ryota Igarashi, P
19 Vacant
20 Vacant
21 Lucas Duda, OF
22 Vacant
23 Vacant
24 Vacant
25 Vacant
26 Fernando Martinez, OF
27 Vacant
28 Daniel Murphy, 1B-2B-OF
29 Ike Davis, 1B
30 Josh Thole, C
31 Vacant
32 Jenrry Mejia, P
33 Taylor Buchholz, P
34 Mike Pelfrey, P
35 Dillon Gee, P
36 Manny Acosta, P
37 Retired
38 Chris Capuano, P
39 Bobby Parnell, P
40 Vacant
41 Retired
42 Retired
43 R.A. Dickey, P
44 Jason Bay, OF
45 Vacant
46 Oliver Perez, P
47 Vacant
48 Pat Misch, P
49 Jon Niese, P
50 Vacant
51 Chip Hale, 3rd base Coach
52 Dave Hudgens, hitting coach
53 Mookie Wilson, first base coach
54 Dave Racaniello, Bullpen Catcher
55 Ken Oberkfell, bench coach
56 Jon Debus, bullpen coach
57 Johan Santana, P
58 Rafael Arroyo, bullpen catcher
59 Dan Warthen, pitching coach
60-62 Vacant
63 Jordanny Valdespin, INF
64 Josh Stinson, P
65 Zach Lutz, INF
66 Armando Rodriguez, P
67 Manny Alvarez, P
68 Brad Emaus, 2B
69 Vacant
70 Pedro Beato, P
71-74 Vacant
75 Francisco Rodriguez, P
76 Vacant
77 DJ Carrasco, P
78-99 Vacant
Thermodynamic Pitchers: We Got ‘Em
The acquisition of Duke grad Chris Capuano, along with the pursuit of Princeton’s Chris Young, to join erudite hurler R.A. Dickey on the Mets pitching staff this year has sparked some discussion about the Mets’ potential to lead the Majors next year in Cogitations Above Replacement and Earned Degree Average. Although this wouldn’t mark the first time the Mets had a brainiac in the bullpen.
Original Met Jay Hook was the Mets first wearer of the No. 47 jersey. He studied mechanical engineering at Northwestern University and understood the physics of the curve ball. When he explained it to the New York Times he became something of a sensation and was contacted by a company then known as Sarcotherm Controls, a manufacturer of steam traps and other industrial temperature control products based in New York. Sarco contracted Hook to expand on his ideas in a quarterly magazine it distributed to its customers. Don’t ask why, but my dad happened to acquire a copy, and saved the cover and an inside page, displayed below:
Jay’s illustrations of the physics phenomenon known as Bernoulli’s Principle (it would take a scientist to explain) would famously come back and bite him when after a bad outing weeks later Casey Stengel remarked “It’s wonderful that he knows how a curveball works. Now if he could only throw one.”
Capuano, by the way, wore No. 39 in Milwaukee, but that number belongs to Bobby Parnell today. In honor of Hook, we’d like to remind the Mets that 47 is available.
Sarco still exists, sort of too.
Pick a Number
Happy Holidays! I just finished a busy stretch with work etc. and am celebrating my first morning off with the first numerical roster of the 2011 season. As you’ll see below, there are plenty of vacancies as well as unassigned players at this point, and at least one seeming controversy: 40-man rosteree Tobi Stoner and first baseman Ike Davis are both listed as wearing No. 29, though as reported here frequently we’d be surprised if Davis is not wearing the newly sprung No. 20 when the games begin.
Unassigned players on the 40-man roster:
Manny Alvarez, P
Pedro Beato, P
D.J. Carrasco, P
Armando Rodriguez, P
Josh Stinson, P
Tobi Stoner, P
Ronny Paulino, C
Brad Emaus, INF
Zach Lutz, INF
Jordanny Valdespin, INF
Dave Hudgens, hitting coach
Mookie Wilson, first base coach
Ken Oberkfell, bench coach
Jon Debus, bullpen coach
Current numerical roster:
1 Luis Castillo, 2B
2 Justin Turner, 2B
3 Luis Hernandez, INF
4 Vacant (was Henry Blanco, who signed with Arizona)
5 David Wright, 3B
6 Nick Evans, OF
7 Jose Reyes, SS
8 Vacant
9 Vacant (was Omir Santos, who signed a minor league deal with Detroit)
10 Terry Collins, manager
11 Ruben Tejada, INF
12 Vacant (was Joaquin Arias)
13 Mike Nickeas, C
14 Retired
15 Carlos Beltran, OF
16 Angel Pagan, OF
17 Vacant (was Fernando Tatis)
18 Ryota Igarashi, P
19 Vacant (was Mike Hessman, who will become a superstar with the Orix Buffalos of Japan)
20 Vacant (was Howard Johnson, reassigned hitting coach)
21 Lucas Duda, OF
22 Vacant (was Raul Valdes, who signed a minor league deal with St. Louis)
23 Vacant (was Chris Carter, non-tendered)
24 Vacant
25 Vacant (was Pedro Feliciano, allegedly on the brink of signing with the Yankees)
26 Fernando Martinez, OF
27 Vacant (was Jesus Feliciano, free agent)
28 Daniel Murphy, 1B-2B-OF
29 Ike Davis, 1B
30 Josh Thole, C
31 Vacant
32 Jenrry Mejia, P
33 Vacant (was John Maine, nontendered)
34 Mike Pelfrey, P
35 Dillon Gee, P
36 Manny Acosta, P
37 Retired
38 Vacant (was Fernando Nieve, who signed a minor league deal with Pittsburgh)
39 Bobby Parnell, P
40 Vacant (was Eddie Kunz, no longer on 40-man roster)
41 Retired
42 Retired
43 R.A. Dickey, P
44 Jason Bay, OF
45 Vacant
46 Oliver Perez, P
47 Vacant (was Hisanori Takahashi, who signed with Angels)
48 Pat Misch, P
49 Jon Niese, P
50 Vacant (was Sean Green, who signed with Milwaukee)
51 Chip Hale, 3rd base Coach
52 Vacant (was first-base coach Razor Shines, not retained)
53 Vacant (was manager Jerry Manuel, not retained)
54 Vacant? (roster still lists Dave Racaniello, Bullpen Catcher)
55 Vacant (was Randy Niemann, Bullpen Coach, not retained)
56 Vacant (was Dave Jauss, Bench Coach, not retained)
57 Johan Santana, P
58 Vacant
59 Dan Warthen, pitching coach
60-63 Vacant
64 Vacant (was Elmer Dessens, free agent)
65-74 Vacant
75 Francisco Rodriguez, P
76-91 Vacant
92 Jason Pridie, OF
Flying Coach
The Mets on Monday named a pack of coaches to accompany new manager Terry Collins, including newcomers Jon Debus (bullpen coach); Ken Oberkfell (bench coach) and Dave Hudgens (hitting coach) and a returnee, first-base coach Mookie Wilson. They join returning third-base coach Chip Hale and pitching coach Dan Warthen. Do any of these men speak Spanish?
Uniform numbers have yet to be assigned to these guys but let’s start with the obvious: If the Mets can manage to get rid of Luis Castillo then No. 1 would be available for Mookie. The Mookster wore No. 51 as a coach in 1997 before No. 1 became available to him, and 51 most recently belonged to Mook’s cross-diamond counterpart, Chip Hale. So there’s some drama whatever happens.
I’m intrigued by the possibility of Ken Oberkfell donning No. 0, as he did when I snapped the above photo a few spring trainings ago. The idea of his being a foil and aide-de-camp for Collins wearing No. 10 makes sense, and if Mookie gets No. 1, well that’s even better. I have no idea and no real opinion on what numbers Hudgens and Debus show up in but it wouldn’t surprise me if they show up in 52 and 53 like Met coaches often do.
